non-uk stores that are happy to ship to uk?

[Jones the Paint Magnet]

I think anything below 7 squids is exempt from import duty, which helps if you need internal spares and the like.

I find the smaller operations tend to have far better customer service too.

 

[QuackingPlums]

But anything less than £7 is probably gonna cost more to post than it's worth?

I'm intrigued to the "workaround" for PBK... Simon - u have mail!

 

[Beaker]

The main principle is tht they can only charge you any import duty or taxes if they know who much it's worth.

So if the package doesn't list a value and the receipt is sent seperately then they have no value to go with - 25% of nothing is still nothing!

So just get them to mark it as value $0 warranty and send the receipt seperately and you're set.

just don't put the receipt in the package as if they open it (which they are entitled to) they get a little miffed.

 

[Simon Malone]

from what my old man has said, customes can add VAT and Duty on even if they think you've not paid for it (gift, etc. RE: last order Beaker )

In that instance you tell them that yes it's a gift, but only has a value of say $15/20. They wont make enough money out of you to really bother.

Me and Beaker ordered about $600 worth of stuff, it arrived and they wanted to know how much it was worth and what it was for. Once i'd spoken to the lady and confirmed in a fax it was a free girf and only worth $20, the box arrived next morning by UPS.

 

[QuackingPlums]

But if they open it up and there's $1000 worth of marker in there then they'd be pretty lame if they fell for that one? What are the repercussions of having "lied" to the customs people?

 

[Collier]

Originally posted by QuackingPlums
But if they open it up and there's $1000 worth of marker in there then they'd be pretty lame if they fell for that one? What are the repercussions of having "lied" to the customs people?

If its under warranty thats why the value is £0

Defrauding a Government, the penalty aint gonna be nice is it???



Paul.

 

[Beaker]

Indeedy - however the last 5 or so orders did get through without a hitch

They also like to hear the words - "sponsorship" "warranty return" "evaluation product" "free sample" - allegedly.

 

[Simon Malone]

They charge you tax, but to be honest they've got better thing to do than open boxes all day. Like drink coffee, and complain about stuff. The plan isn't fool proof, but we've had 100% success rate with it so far.

 

[Beaker]

Originally posted by QuackingPlums
But if they open it up and there's $1000 worth of marker in there then they'd be pretty lame if they fell for that one? What are the repercussions of having "lied" to the customs people?

to who? they are hardly going to extradite (sp?) the sender (who is ultimately liable for any labeling) on charges of VAT dodging.

I have ordered probably 20 or 30 times from the States for one thing or another.

I've been hit with tax about 3 times and only when I've dealt with a big company that labels stuff a bit too well.

 

[QuackingPlums]

Hmmm, I guess so... well, better start making me a shopping list then!