UK Parcel Force Rip Off

[Oraklini]

Hi, I've just started to buy a few bits and bobs from sellers in the USA, but the sting in the tail is when the goods arrive in the UK.
I can accept the fact that VAT is due, but parcel force charging me 13.50 uk pounds and calling it a clearance fee is pure profiteering.
If I do not pay the fees I do not get get my goods!
On complaining I just get told that the fee is for collecting the vat on behalf of the taxman...Grrr...
Overall it just adds@ 30% onto the total cost ,.. just takes the edge of what was a good deal.

Any other thinkpad enthusiasts in the uk encountered?

Rant over

[jdhurst]

If I get heavy goods by UPS, Canada Post, FedEx, whatever, they charge brokerage fees for importation and levying appropriate taxes. The charge is usery and heavily overdone to the point, yes, I would call it profiteering. ... JDH

[tomh009]

UPS Ground is among the worst offenders. Canada Post is usually much more reasonable, in the range of C$5 to C$10 (or less than £4).

[ryengineer]

I am not sure why Canadians / other countries get ripped off on such things.

However, you won't be charged a VAT or customs fee if the seller ships it through USPS priority or Global Express mail as USPS does not scan their labels at every stop like other carriers.

I have a ebay US account connected to my parents address but I don't ebay much; other than buying gifts for them which goes straight to their home.

[SaberX]

I am not sure why Canadians / other countries get ripped off on such things.

However, you won't be charged a VAT or customs fee if the seller ships it through USPS priority or Global Express mail as USPS does not scan their labels at every stop like other carriers.

I have a ebay US account connected to my parents address but I don't ebay much; other than buying gifts for them which goes straight to their home.

I have bought a few Thinkpads from the USA to Newfoundland,Canada.
4 systems total now.All shiped USPS priority and Global express.First one came in with no extra fees.2nd one got hit with over $35.00cdn fee's. 3rd one no fee's. than the A22P i have now was shipped USPS priority and was hit for almost $40.00 when canada post knocked on my door with it.
So for me getting things shipped up here from the USA is a hit or miss on the extra fee's.

[tomh009]

But were the $35 for brokerage and taxes? Taxes I can accept (if not enjoy), overpriced brokerage rubs me the wrong way.

[bill bolton]

Overall it just adds@ 30% onto the total cost ,.. just takes the edge of what was a good deal.

Any other thinkpad enthusiasts in the uk encountered?

It's just your Government at work for you!

Unfortunately its a common lament by UK residents in many online forums.

Out here in the "colonies", the Customs Department finally worked out that it cost them more than the revenue generated to do customs duty collection on low value postal packages, so they basically don't bother any longer for declared values of less than the equivalent of about UK 400 pounds.

Cheers,

Bill B.

[Oraklini]

Yeah, got talking to a guy in the pub who is involved with customs and excise and he reckons, where he works, about 2000 items a day are flagged for duty to be payed. A lot gets through unchecked. So it seems it is the luck of the draw on the day.
Waiting for two more packages from USA and one from Australia, If I get hammered with charges on those transactions I will have to think again on buying outside the EU.

Pity really ....

[RealBlackStuff]

I lived in Ireland until recently, ordered a lot of stuff from eBay USA, incl. a few Thinkpads. Also ordered a fair bit from Hong Kong.
Never paid any duty or VAT on any items at all. Some shipping charges from USA are fairly steep though.
Try making a friend in the ROI who can order for you and then passes stuff on from ROI to UK free of charge.

The afore mentioned USPS was used for every single item from the USA.