Ordering bikey good...
 

  You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more

[Closed] Ordering bikey goods from NZ? Rip off Customs charge

17 Posts
10 Users
0 Reactions
71 Views
Posts: 17834
Topic starter
 

Ordered pair of cycling trousers from Ground Effect and have to pay £23.85 to Customs and Royal Mail. Turned out to be an expensive purchase. 😐


 
Posted : 09/05/2014 11:48 am
Posts: 17
Free Member
 

Yep, there is a tax to pay on importing goods. Not a rip off just the same as other retailers have to add to their goods.
Handy check here
http://www.dutycalculator.com/


 
Posted : 09/05/2014 11:49 am
Posts: 43345
Full Member
 

How is that a "rip off"?


 
Posted : 09/05/2014 11:49 am
Posts: 5807
Free Member
 

The Customs and Excise bit is fair enough, the charge RM levy to collect it can come as a bit of a surprise, especially as a proportion of a relatively low value order.

CG, how does the £23.85 break down?


 
Posted : 09/05/2014 11:55 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I was once 3 quid over the minimum but it cost me a few quid in VAT plus another 15 quid handling (I think).


 
Posted : 09/05/2014 11:58 am
Posts: 785
Free Member
 

yep typically £15 for resting the item in the post office for a few days


 
Posted : 09/05/2014 12:02 pm
Posts: 785
Free Member
 

oh


 
Posted : 09/05/2014 12:04 pm
Posts: 17
Free Member
 

plumber - Member
yep typically £15 for resting the item in the post office for a few days

Yep I'm sure it just sits there, while they work out what category the goods are, enters the details, calculates the charges, invoices, collects the payment then submits all the returns to customs and excise.


 
Posted : 09/05/2014 12:05 pm
Posts: 17834
Topic starter
 

Will investigate as there is no breakdown given. I regularly import pharmaceuticals for my own use so this is really worrying me especially as am awaiting a shipment.


 
Posted : 09/05/2014 12:06 pm
Posts: 17
Free Member
 

run it through the duty calculator linked above and it will tell you what the duty and vat component was. The rest will be admin, you can also see what the potential is for drugs.


 
Posted : 09/05/2014 12:09 pm
Posts: 2400
Free Member
 

Unlucky - have had three orders from GE, all w.o. C&E/RM charges.

(Although my luck hasn't extended to lottery tickets or premium bonds.)


 
Posted : 09/05/2014 12:11 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

I regularly import pharmaceuticals for my own use

I'm pretty sure being the home counties very own Tony Montana isn't really something to be discussed on an MTB forum


 
Posted : 09/05/2014 12:33 pm
Posts: 17834
Topic starter
 

Thanks to Mike for the duty calculator link and it would appear that the charge is pretty accurate. First time I've had to pay with a GE order which is a shame as their stuff is great.

Thousands of people with my condition have to import their own drugs for the rest of their days. 😐


 
Posted : 09/05/2014 1:05 pm
Posts: 17834
Topic starter
 

Just to add that trousers were £79 plus £6 postage.


 
Posted : 09/05/2014 1:21 pm
 Drac
Posts: 50352
 

Hmmm!! I've a friend trying to find this guy is it you CG?

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 09/05/2014 1:25 pm
Posts: 3985
Free Member
 

I regularly import pharmaceuticals for my own use so this is really worrying me especially as am awaiting a shipment

Silk Road? 😈


 
Posted : 09/05/2014 1:28 pm
Posts: 17834
Topic starter
 

Guys - just be glad that you don't have an uncommon thyroid disorder where the NHS won't pay for medication.


 
Posted : 09/05/2014 1:32 pm
 FOG
Posts: 2974
Full Member
 

Vote UKIP! you can then re-establish links and favourable tariffs with the Commonwealth once out of this Nasty EU!
Err.., just a joke, honest.


 
Posted : 09/05/2014 1:41 pm

6 DAYS LEFT
We are currently at 95% of our target!