UK Customs Charging?

[Bomba]

Hi Guys,

I've ordered a massive number of reps over the years and I've never seen this listed under the tracking for any watches being shipped to my UK address:

30-10-2013 14:05 International Hub Awaiting Customs Charging
27-10-2013 18:54 International Hub Awaiting Customs clearance
27-10-2013 18:53 International Hub Received in destination country
22-10-2013 22:04 Delivery Agent - CHINA Collected from customer

It's my FC diver from PT, and I'm really hoping it didn't get seized or that they're going to send me a nice bill for import duties. The tracking notes are from Parcelforce.

Please tell me this is normal.... Thanks in advance.....

 

[Bonesey]

If you're lucky they will charge you based on the face value of the package + handling fees of £8-13. Just pay it and be happy, it happens occasionally. If you're unlucky they might take it as a gen and try charging you VAT on that. Refuse all knowledge of the package and have it returned to the TD.

 

[nige76]

Same thing happened to me recently, I wonder if the cash strapped UK govt is asking customs to collect more VAT these days, unless the thresholds have been changed.

A bit of a pain as it seems to add a few days onto the whole process, my parcel seemed to go in and out of UK customs a few times on it way.

 

[beefjerky456]

For the UK the charges depend on the declared value on the package, so if your TD has put a value greater than £15 (~$24), then you will be charged.

From HMR&C website:
consignments with an intrinsic value of £15 or less are free from both customs duty and import VAT
import VAT is payable when the intrinsic value of the goods is over £15
customs duty (and import VAT) is payable when the intrinsic value of the imported goods is over £135

Once you receive, I would be interested to know the value your TD put on the package.

 

[nige76]

For the UK the charges depend on the declared value on the package, so if your TD has put a value greater than £15 (~$24), then you will be charged.

From HMR&C website:
consignments with an intrinsic value of £15 or less are free from both customs duty and import VAT
import VAT is payable when the intrinsic value of the goods is over £15
customs duty (and import VAT) is payable when the intrinsic value of the imported goods is over £135

Once you receive, I would be interested to know the value your TD put on the package.

I used PT and they often are marked at 25usd but my last one, AP project X diver, was marked at 40usd but came thru ok. I'll let you know when I receive it. I've read here that most of the charge is an admin fee from parcelforce. When I get home I'll find out the charge, if its on the gen value that could be fun since the piece was an RM011 gen value like 100k usd. Don't think I'll pay that unless of course one of my kind neighbours has paid and taken it in for me!

 

[Bomba]

I'm still waiting on the invoice from HMRC. I recall PT declaring $25 value, so we will see, and I'll let you guys know what comes up.

Thanks for the responses. Nige76, please post your findings as well. This is the first time this has ever happened to me in the UK.....

 

[mrfog]

I am currently in the same boat. Waiting on the stupid letter.

31-10-2013 19:28 National Hub Received and processed
31-10-2013 12:25 International Hub Revised charges to be paid
31-10-2013 12:20 International Hub Awaiting Customs clearance
29-10-2013 21:28 International Hub Awaiting Customs Charging
29-10-2013 14:04 International Hub Awaiting Customs clearance
29-10-2013 14:03 International Hub Awaiting Customs clearance
29-10-2013 13:29 International Hub Received and processed
28-10-2013 16:50 International Hub Awaiting Customs clearance
28-10-2013 16:49 International Hub Received in destination country
24-10-2013 20:58 Delivery Agent - CHINA Collected from customer

 

[sharrkey]

Just give parcel force a call to find out what the actual charges are, I've done this before and switched the payment with them whilst on the call. Package was delivered next dayopcorn:

 

[nige76]

I'm still waiting on the invoice from HMRC. I recall PT declaring $25 value, so we will see, and I'll let you guys know what comes up.

Thanks for the responses. Nige76, please post your findings as well. This is the first time this has ever happened to me in the UK.....

Will do as soon as I get home, hopefully I'll have the letter detailing charges by then too. Wonder if something new has happened seems strange that a few of us have been stung in the recent past. I've got a collection in low 20s now and this is a first. I assume I'm just unlucky this time.

 

[mrfog]

Thanks, man. I'll do that. Spose I will have to pay for a Saturday delivery as well now :facepalm:

 

[Kime]

I would say if this is the first time just swallow it. It's pretty rare. I have had 4 deliveries to the uk in that 14 days 2 by parcel force and 2 by dhl, no charges on any of them !

 

[Black Magic]

From HMR&C website:
consignments with an intrinsic value of £15 or less are free from both customs duty and import VAT
import VAT is payable when the intrinsic value of the goods is over £15
customs duty (and import VAT) is payable when the intrinsic value of the imported goods is over £135

This has got to be one of the worst things living in the UK, they tax you for anything & everything, then ontop of that anything over £15 is taxable. What a joke...

Hope you gents get your parcels ok!!

 

[mrfog]

Well at 3am my tracking changed to loaded on truck for delivery. I still wasn't expecting it to show up but sure enough around midday I got my package. It says on the box a charge of £24.40 is due and that the package must not be delivered until it is paid. The delivery guy said nothing so I am expecting an invoice at some point I guess. Still I got my watches without too much hassle. Hurray.

 

[rj999]

It's typical of my luck that just when I get into the spirit of this replica game, something seems to have tightened on the rules. My first order came through with no issues, other than the package having been opened but never completely unpacked. Just ordered again but from a TD here this time.
Crossing my fingers, toes and probably other parts.

 

[Nikoteen]

I am waiting on a fair few packages...I never check the tracking status ever!
I just wait for them to turn up, however sub-consciously i have been telling myself that this lot seem to be taking longer than ever. So i await Mr Postman still.............
(I will say tho' that my last watch package had been opened somewhere along the journey - there's a thread on it on here somewhere)
Maybe UK customs are getting their @sses kicked by their bosses!

 

[nige76]

Well at 3am my tracking changed to loaded on truck for delivery. I still wasn't expecting it to show up but sure enough around midday I got my package. It says on the box a charge of £24.40 is due and that the package must not be delivered until it is paid. The delivery guy said nothing so I am expecting an invoice at some point I guess. Still I got my watches without too much hassle. Hurray.

This seems pretty random, my package is now "held" at my local depot "awaiting charges to be paid" so guess I'll need to pay first before they release the damm thing. I get home Sat so hopefully a letter will be waiting for me detailing charges.

Hopefully you may not get an invoice and they will just ignore the charge.

 

[mrfog]

This seems pretty random, my package is now "held" at my local depot "awaiting charges to be paid" so guess I'll need to pay first before they release the damm thing. I get home Sat so hopefully a letter will be waiting for me detailing charges.

Hopefully you may not get an invoice and they will just ignore the charge.

I hope your gets delivered too mate because thats what my tracking said.

01-11-2013 11:35 Coventry Depot Delivered
01-11-2013 03:16 Coventry Depot Loaded to vehicle for delivery
01-11-2013 02:55 Coventry Depot Received at delivery depot
31-10-2013 19:28 National Hub Received and processed
31-10-2013 12:25 International Hub Revised charges to be paid
31-10-2013 12:20 International Hub Awaiting Customs clearance
29-10-2013 21:28 International Hub Awaiting Customs Charging
29-10-2013 14:04 International Hub Awaiting Customs clearance
29-10-2013 14:03 International Hub Awaiting Customs clearance
29-10-2013 13:29 International Hub Received and processed
28-10-2013 16:50 International Hub Awaiting Customs clearance
28-10-2013 16:49 International Hub Received in destination country
24-10-2013 20:58 Delivery Agent - CHINA Collected from customer

 

[HR911]

I think things are looking bleak for me. My package arrived at UK customs on the 27th, and it's now being held with the update "More information needed from addressee".
I called them and they don't believe the declared value of $40 and want to see the purchase invoice. :-(
I'm now waiting for the letter confirming this but I don't think there are any options here right?
The TD has been great, and will send scan him the letter once I get it.

 

[rj999]

I think things are looking bleak for me. My package arrived at UK customs on the 27th, and it's now being held with the update "More information needed from addressee".
I called them and they don't believe the declared value of $40 and want to see the purchase invoice. :-(
I'm now waiting for the letter confirming this but I don't think there are any options here right?
The TD has been great, and will send scan him the letter once I get it.

Was it a large order, or just 1 or 2 watches?

 

[mrfog]

Sure enough, had my invoice through today for £24.40 as expected. This was for two watches though so could be worse.