Importing parts - beware of hidden costs...

[Jon_H]

Grrr...

My pattern-part windscreen washer pump has started leaking. Since this was the warranty replacement for the replacement that started leaking, I gave up and ordered a pair of proper Nissan ones.

Since the main stealer wanted just over £70 for the pair (front and rear), I ordered them from Perfect Run, who were very straightforward to deal with.

They charged me £38.26 for the two pumps (via Paypal), and £14.29 to ship from Japan (which was slightly more than I'd hoped - the boxes are clearly very heavy - but not unreasonable).

I've just had a letter from Parcelforce, telling me that they've paid VAT of £7.12 (which equates to £47.47 ) - and a flat-rate clearance fee of £13.50.

Thus my total has come to £72.81... so I've just about broken even compared to the local stealer. I'm just glad I ordered both pumps at the same time - otherwise I'd have felt really ripped off!


Is there any way to pre-pay the VAT so that Parcelforce don't have to?

[Si]

Unfortuantely not, you get boned either way

Apparently, however, (and it's no use now) if stuff is a warranty return, you don't have to pay tax or clearance.

Oh, and the whole' gift' thing is bobbins too - gift values can only be up to 30 something quid.

[Tetra]

Apparently, however, (and it's no use now) if stuff is a warranty return, you don't have to pay tax or clearance.

Agreed on that one, My brother had a motor bike petrol tank sent over from the states, the seller marked it as a "repair" and there was no duty or tax

[Dan@DB-Power]

The way I read it, the new ones aren't warranty replacements so sadly the PF fee and customs fee still stands.

Dan

[Si]

Yup, that's what I mean, but had they been marked as warranty replacements, they may have been a little cheaper *





*Si does not advocate tax evasion.

[Matt_T]

*Si does not advocate tax evasion.

[Kent Brockman]I don't say evasion- I say AVOISION[/Kent Brockman]

Parcel Force are the only courier to ever charge me duty, annoying as I think if something is sent USPS its always PF that deliver here

[Dan@DB-Power]

[Kent Brockman]I don't say evasion- I say AVOISION[/Kent Brockman]

Parcel Force are the only courier to ever charge me duty, annoying as I think if something is sent USPS its always PF that deliver here

Yeah Royal Mail and Parcelforce have the UK contracts for any postal service mail, so anything which isn't sent via DHL, Fedex, TNT etc.

Parcelforce also have the largest fee for any clearance so much for royal mail being in debt

Dan

[sx_matchew]

My mate who lives in Japan uses EMS to ship parts over so maybe no charges with them?
Or is it when it goes through customs

[warner]

My mate who lives in Japan uses EMS to ship parts over so maybe no charges with them?
Or is it when it goes through customs

It is EMS until it gets here, then parcel force deliver it to your house
as Dan says up there^^

[ricey]

*Si does not advocate tax evasion.

why not ? the bsatard's tax us for every thing, and its shite

[Aj82]

Yeah Royal Mail and Parcelforce have the UK contracts for any postal service mail, so anything which isn't sent via DHL, Fedex, TNT etc.

Parcelforce also have the largest fee for any clearance so much for royal mail being in debt

Dan

Great!! IM waiting on £1500's worth of valvetrain stuff from Mazworx. Wonder how much i will get boned by???


Cheers Aj

[Gary@APT]

maybe enough to make you think about using a uk supplier next time

Great!! IM waiting on £1500's worth of valvetrain stuff from Mazworx. Wonder how much i will get boned by???


Cheers Aj

[sx_matchew]

It is EMS until it gets here, then parcel force deliver it to your house
as Dan says up there^^

Marvelous time to spread me cheeks and bend over when it arrives then

[Streetmekanik]

Is there any way to pre-pay the VAT so that Parcelforce don't have to?

Ask for the incoterm known as DDP - delivery - duty - prepaid.

Wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incoterms

[Aj82]

maybe enough to make you think about using a uk supplier next time

I was considering it, the price difference in the camshafts alone made me get them from Mazworx. There was nearly £200 difference in just the cams!

Cheers Aj

[Rusty]

Have you actually paid them the £13.50 yet? If it's a case of them holding onto the package till you cough up, have a read of this thread: http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/showthread.php?t=351900

Failing that, I've read bout people who have filed small claims against them for the return of the fee, and won.

The VAT/C&E Duty you're stuck with though.

[voodoo_melon]

The VAT/C&E Duty you're stuck with though.

No you're not

If you really want to piss off Parcel Farce, you don't have to pay a penny of it

http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/showthread.p...l+force+police

[Si]

maybe enough to make you think about using a uk supplier next time

Obviously that's the ideal, but sometimes the economics just don't make sense.
When i can get a set of anti roll bars for my car from the states for $320 plus taxes, shipping (all comes in a under £300, everything paid) or £620 plus delivery and VAT from the UK, it's a bit of a no brainer tbh.

I'd love to buy everything from the UK, especially if it's supporting smaller companies, but sometimes the saving is far greater than my ideals can justify.

[mandelbug]

This is why I am looking at the Apexi Power FC from Japan, £540 on my door with hand controller, thats a good £200-250 saved right there, even a flight to Japan is a mere £400 if I was doing a fair few parts

Its nothing against the british companies but the costs are extreme over here, as said, I would much prefer to buy from a UK supplier but the savings are more than just a few quid

[arChi]

Great!! IM waiting on £1500's worth of valvetrain stuff from Mazworx. Wonder how much i will get boned by???


Cheers Aj

Depends who they shipped the stuff with, and the value declared on the shipping invoice.