I order quite a few goods from japan primarily motorcycle scale models and updates because they are un obtainable in this country and or considerably cheaper. Most of the time I use express 48 hr delivery with fed ex they are delivered immediately with zero customs charges within 48 hrs. The last 2 packages I thought I would save money by using a slower delivery company which involves using parcel force. I have now been presented with charges for both parcel force deliveries of around £10 for customs and a parcel force handling fee of £13.50 per item? So either fed ex aren't doing it properly or parcel force are rip off bastards. Strangley the fed ex items always come with a zero import vat statement and the items are the same as the parcel force items. So I shall ensure I never feckin use parcel force again thieving wankers.
I had to pay a similar charge recently.... Must be to cover the three fecking weeks it sat with them being "handled"! Strange isn't it, 24hours to get across the Pacific ocean, then add three weeks from Heathrow to Swindon!
I have all my deliveries through Parcel Force, the same delivery guy every week for the last 3 years, Outstanding service. Am i just lucky or is every one else unlucky?
My name for them too!! £12 charges on US parcels one t shirt hit me for £60 once with import tax ?? Parcel farce fees !! I nearly sent it back ! And I had to drive out to middle earth to pick it up and pAy charges .
Oh and they threw a " fragile glAss" packet over my back fence. 6 foot high !! 3 foot glass chandelier With fragile glass taped all over it !!! Really ??
The problem maybe that you were not dealing with Parcel Force directly but through a 3rd party so Parcel Force had no contract with you. I`m not saying it is right but they are not picking on you, I`m sure it is standard procedure. I don't use them myself but I have used FedEx for a couple of years for thousands of parcels through work and they are fantastic. They collect and they deliver, no other firms involved so no mucking around with costs. I don't know the value of the parts you bought or what the import duty is on them so it could be that you are usually lucky and FedEx get it through with no duty.
I bought a signed Freddie Spencer RX7 helmet from shop Switzerland. Even though it was marked with the ECE number, which carried 0%VAT for safety helmets. They chargewd me £85 for VAT, import duty and handling charges. Trying to explain to them at the counter was a waste of time. My only option was to pay the charges and claim them back. I got the money back, but it took 6 months. I've never been charged anything by FEDEX, UPS or DHL. Everything seems to get opened by Parcel Force.
Spoke to my mate who used to work for them after he stopped laughing he explained it is SOP standard operating procedure where as fed ex etc want your business and want to keep the customer happy, parcel force want the handling fees. For what is a 30 second procedure.
Just been to the local Parcel Force depot an hour ago to part with £9 tax & £8 handling charge for a £40 item bought from the USA - what a joke
Posted by Robarano - "Everything seems to get opened by Parcel Force." Aye, to see if there's anything inside worth having !
Hey - just seen this thread....ive ordered a Roadlok from the U.S. I did order one from here back at the start of December but they refunded my dosh as they couldn't get them here in the uk....something to do with not being able to get them on bulk from the States....they suggested I order direct from them which I have.... I paid (or had no choice but to pay) 100 or so dollars for ups worldwide shipment. Does that include the vat coming into the country then?
Nope, you have to pay VAT at 20% upon importing it into the UK. Import duty if the value is greater than £270 and probably a handling fee by the courier for collecting the money. You may be lucky and it'll sail straight through.
