All Poster Forum
Common Poster Subjects => Packaging & Shipping => Topic started by: skyjackers on October 12, 2011, 05:04:41 PM
-
Anyone in the UK know how long a package normally sits in customs for? This is the first time this has happened to me, but I've had a package 'waiting for customs inspection' since the 10th of October. So much for express delivery.
-
That's only 2 days! I have had items stuck in Canadian customs for literally WEEKS!
Don't fret too much yet...
-
I'm just a bit nervous because there's quite a few posters in a package from Japan and I'm not sure I want customs hands all over them. Hopefully they'll be gentle!
-
Are the posters' value marked over the customs limit?
If so, it'll prob take 4 - 5 days, then they'll post you out a bill for the duty.
If it's Parcelforce, you might be lucky enough to be charged a nice £13.50 'handling fee' on top of your 20% VAT (or it could be £8). You can then pay it online and choose a re-delivery day. Feels like getting robbed every single time it happens to me.
-
You've missed off the import duty also, and that's at 10% plus V.A.T. And that handling fee depends on the value of the package. I was charged £45 handling fee once. Which is why I stopped buy from overseas. I've been hit for an extra £80+ in total before, so don't buy from Abroad unless it's a steal of a price...
-
It's been released from customs but it has about £30 of fees to pay. When I work out the total cost of these posters retrospectively I'm not sure I'd of purchased them. Actually I would, but as Paul said I'm becoming less inclined to buy posters from overseas. I'm more annoyed about the delay in getting them to be honest.
-
If you are prepared to take a chance, and put less than $35 on the customs form ( and the seller is willing to do so ). You pay nothing in charges, and have your package in (usually) less than 7 days.
I used to do it, but people are not as easy going as they were 5-10 years ago. Mind I had a $600 poster coming over that way once. It was a bit scary, but it turned up fine...
-
Agree with the delay frustrations - I had a poster make it over the pond in about 2 days, then to sit in their depot for 7 days before I even received the bill...and they have the cheek to charge such a high handling fee!
As a future tip, if you're buying prints, I think you can get the VAT rate reduced to 5% as it's a limited piece of art (rather than a mass produced piece of art). Never tried it though.
-
If you are prepared to take a chance, and put less than $35 on the customs form ( and the seller is willing to do so ). You pay nothing in charges, and have your package in (usually) less than 7 days.
I used to do it, but people are not as easy going as they were 5-10 years ago. Mind I had a $600 poster coming over that way once. It was a bit scary, but it turned up fine...
That was a brave thing to do on a $600 poster, glad it worked out though. I think they marked it at $40 but I spent £50 in shipping and I think they add the amounts together for some strange reason. I don't wait for a letter from customs telling me I have a charge, if I see it on the tracking website that I've been charged I call and pay straight away, a good tip if you things faster.
-
I once had to argue with aussie customs to get my restored posters back. I kept telling the lady but they are mine...I sent them out and now they are coming back to me, they've already passed through customs once without fees. We kept going round is circles...in the end I think she gave up in frustration and let me just take em.
-
I've wondered, if I send a $3000 poster overseas to get backed for $300, when it comes back into the country is the declared value to be $3300 or $300?. Wouldnt want to pay taxes on a poster again I had already paid taxes on when originally purchased and brought into the country.
-
She tried to argue with me that I had to pay tax on the services...the restorer declared the value of the work, not the posters.
I said the service wasn't done here, how can you charge me for that...she then proceeded to ask what the posters were worth to try to get me to pay based on that. I wouldn't have a bar of it. I went in with invoices etc proving they had already entered the country once so she couldn't charge me again. I think it got too hard for her, and like I said, she gave up.
Now I just get them to under-declare, but send them fully trackable, express...so it only takes them about a week to get here.
Haven't had an issue since.
-
That's really crazy. I decided to go to the depot and pick the posters up myself. The handling charge was more than the cost of the VAT in the end! Almost took the fun out of getting them but I opened them up when I got back to work and I soon remembered why I enjoy collecting posters so much! I'm going to try and post some of them later...
-
She tried to argue with me that I had to pay tax on the services...the restorer declared the value of the work, not the posters.
I said the service wasn't done here, how can you charge me for that...she then proceeded to ask what the posters were worth to try to get me to pay based on that. I wouldn't have a bar of it. I went in with invoices etc proving they had already entered the country once so she couldn't charge me again. I think it got too hard for her, and like I said, she gave up.
Now I just get them to under-declare, but send them fully trackable, express...so it only takes them about a week to get here.
Haven't had an issue since.
Thanks for the info Ves. I've always wondered what happens with restored posters coming back over the border. This is why I have always leaned towards using Dario because I would avoid all of this.
-
I've wondered, if I send a $3000 poster overseas to get backed for $300, when it comes back into the country is the declared value to be $3300 or $300?. Wouldnt want to pay taxes on a poster again I had already paid taxes on when originally purchased and brought into the country.
...Ditto. That's the question Watson.
I might ask Sherlock Holmes to investigate this because to this day I have NO clue how it works in the UK. Everytime I ask this I get a different answer..wtflipping flops is going on... I don't mind paying my dues, but ...er...paying them TWICE? you TA'KIN TO ME?
So, I don't know what t
-
Frustration, Frustration, Frustration...
Dear UK Customs.
Rules are there to be observed and implemented properly. Do please charge me accordingly, NOT randomly.
I bought my poster from the US in March. Today, FIVE WEEKS later I finally managed to pay the CORRECT fee to my beloved UK Customs. As always UK Customs tried to overcharge me. As always. I had to ''fight'' for the right fee.
WHY UK CUSTOMS cannot calculate the right fees straightaway to me is simply beyond belief. And WHY I have to spend my time ''explaining'' the UK and EU tax system to UK Customs it is simply extraordinary. I really wonder why I must go through this never ending chain of calls, emails, etc
My initial charge according to UK CUSTOMS? £389+ handling fee £10.99.
CORRECT fee as paid just £84 + £10.99
All settled now. Till next time...when after purchasing my poster I know I will have to make THAT call to UK Customs and hear that voice...''yes maaa'm''.
For the record. I do not mind paying a fee. That's the system. But please, please, PLEASE UK CUSTOMS, could you please charge me the RIGHT fee?
Thanks.
Yours etc
A frustrated collector.
-
Frustration, Frustration, Frustration...
Dear UK Customs.
Rules are there to be observed and implemented properly. Do please charge me accordingly, NOT randomly.
I bought my poster from the US in March. Today, FIVE WEEKS later I finally managed to pay the CORRECT fee to my beloved UK Customs. As always UK Customs tried to overcharge me. As always. I had to ''fight'' for the right fee.
WHY UK CUSTOMS cannot calculate the right fees straightaway to me is simply beyond belief. And WHY I have to spend my time ''explaining'' the UK and EU tax system to UK Customs it is simply extraordinary. I really wonder why I must go through this never ending chain of calls, emails, etc
My initial charge according to UK CUSTOMS? £389+ handling fee £10.99.
CORRECT fee as paid just £84 + £10.99
All settled now. Till next time...when after purchasing my poster I know I will have to make THAT call to UK Customs and hear that voice...''yes maaa'm''.
For the record. I do not mind paying a fee. That's the system. But please, please, PLEASE UK CUSTOMS, could you please charge me the RIGHT fee?
Thanks.
Yours etc
A frustrated collector.
Maybe if you heard the words, "Yes, miss," you might feel as light as a feather?
It's all about presentation and correct salutations. ;)
-
Maybe Jeff...maybe..that said, they are always polite.. it is rather the WRONG information they give me when i call what really, really gets to me moron1
-
Or put you on hold for 25+ minutes..... moron1
-
That must have been one expensive poster Rosa!
Glad you got it sorted
-
Thanks Chris!!
I'm sharing this here in case others in the UK have had similar experiences. It seems to me that their approach is to always calculate the highest fee and for you to make the case for the lower ..
-
That is absolutely ridiculous.
-
And now time to show the poster.... :D pcorn
-
.....I need to think first where to hang it...uhm.. :D
-
.....I need to think first where to hang it...uhm.. :D
Did you pick a spot?
I'm sure it must be displayed in the best light possible.
:)
-
I did find the right spot indeed ! :)
-
And now time to show the poster.... :D pcorn
Indeed. ;D
-
Frustration, Frustration
WHY UK CUSTOMS cannot calculate the right VAT? Aghhh
And it happened again today. I'm really p. off now.
It is only £20.00 it should have been £5.00. Not a huge amount. But i don't care. It is a point of principle. Won't pay the wrong fee. moron1
-
Agree with the delay frustrations - I had a poster make it over the pond in about 2 days, then to sit in their depot for 7 days before I even received the bill...and they have the cheek to charge such a high handling fee!
As a future tip, if you're buying prints, I think you can get the VAT rate reduced to 5% as it's a limited piece of art (rather than a mass produced piece of art). Never tried it though.
A long frustration of mine is now finally over. The UK import rate duties changed on 1 April. Now it is clearer that posters (any posters) will have the standard-rate VAT of currently 20%. I actually welcome this, it will save me time (not money though). As it happens, I won't miss the need to call the UK customs helpdesk line. It used to be 5%. Now no more. I will just have to add the extra 15% to my calculations when buying from abroad.
HMT VAT GUIDELINES
VAT REDUCED RATE
Publications 0% Some items are standard-rated such as exercise books, letterheads, posters - VAT Notice 701/10
Those UK buyers collecting vintage posters circa 1900 are OK (0% TAX on 100 year old posters!). So this is the time to buy the really oldie ones thumbsup.gif
PS- My colleague in HMRC will be discussing this with a tax expert there. If anyone is interested to learn more do please pm me.
-
20% VAT! Thank goodness I normally skulk around in the Victorian era.
Would anyone happen to know the correct way of labelling a poster when you're sending it abroad for restoration? I've got one I want to send to the USA so I'm assuming I would simply have to state on the customs declaration, that it's temporarily off for restoration?
-
That has changed too. There are new forms. You need to fill in NOTICE 235, basically telling the UK Gov that you are sending this item abroad for repairs, and you already paid tax on it, so when is back you dont have to pay import tax again.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notice-235-outward-processing-relief/notice-235-outward-processing-relief#simplified-authorisation-for-repairs (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notice-235-outward-processing-relief/notice-235-outward-processing-relief#simplified-authorisation-for-repairs)
-
I see! Thanks for that Rosa. Is that a 'pick up at the Post Office' form or do I have to contact elsewhere?
-
Best if you do it all at the time you get the poster back in the UK. When you receive notification that the goods have arrived, you should contact CUSTOMS at the parcel depot and tell them you want to declare the goods under the OPR NON-COMMERCIAL arrangements. They will send you the forms to fill in (just remember to keep all the relevant receipts- postage - from and to the UK, track numbers, and proof you have already paid your tax (if bought abroad) or no need to pay (if bought in the EU but exported only temp for repairs).
I do find the HMRC rules a bit tricky to follow, but this one is sort of simple..
I also sent you a separate pm- hope it makes sense :P.
-
It really sucks that any government inhibits personal trade between nations with these VATs.
If anyone is making or spending, they want a piece of the action.
-
It really sucks that any government inhibits personal trade between nations with these VATs.
If anyone is making or spending, they want a piece of the action.
Death and taxes...I sort of accept that they'll take their share. What annoys me most about the situation is:
- The low threshold for when you're liable for VAT - it's a paltry £15 at the moment I believe? Where as it's something like $1000 for importing into Australia.
- The dreadful fees the carriers charge you for collecting the charge. If I ordered a vinyl LP from Amazon.com and the HMRC exchange rate had it coming out at £15.01 - I'd have to pay the £8 Royal Mail fee + £3 VAT on the LP + VAT on the postage (estimating postage of £5, that's another £1). So £12 in fees and taxes for a £15 record. Ridiculous!
I suppose it creates a lot of income for HMRC and also keeps me spending money on records in this country instead of importing them, so I suppose it's effective for them!
-
That additional collection charge really is an extraordinary bit of extortion on the part of the carriers. Considering the cost I'd have expected it to be delivered on a silver salver.
-
Any way to gouge the customer.. all in the name of God and country. :P
-
That additional collection charge really is an extraordinary bit of extortion on the part of the carriers. Considering the cost I'd have expected it to be delivered on a silver salver.
Mine normally arrive just in tubes ! :P
Death and taxes...I sort of accept that they'll take their share.
Agree with you Tob! As it happens, I am sure that it would not stop me from buying abroad, I will just need to be a bit extra careful with my maths.. :)
-
Any way to gouge the customer.. all in the name of God and country. :P
I think you need to add 'Queen' in there somewhere ;)
-
I think you need to add 'Queen' in there somewhere ;)
Indeed, Chris.
thumbsup.gif
-
Agree with you Tob! As it happens, I am sure that it would not stop me from buying abroad, I will just need to be a bit extra careful with my maths.. :)
It stopped me from buying outside of the EU. I was paying a fortune to the Customs people. If you buy from the U.S. it was daft buying £15 posters, but the more expensive they were the higher the costs, even the handling charge goes up on a sliding scale..
I was regularly paying £80-100+ in total to those Monkeys, so thought, I could have another poster for the extra I was being ripped off by, so stopped.
I still find enough to keep me happy in the EU... :)
-
Good for you Paul. Certainly if it is in the UK it makes sense buying in the UK totally. You are right that encourages more in-house hunting & buying. I was thinking more along the lines of posters which just might come up say at HA or Bruce. Not anywhere else. Though as it happens I just located one i want here!! ..hehe...oh... watch this space :)
-
Looking forward to seeing what you get Rosa..
I tend to find, anything HA has that I would want ends up over priced anyway, never mind the extra cost of posting and Tax. Bruce does have the odd item, and if the price warrants the extra postage, I have a go at it.
Luckily I mostly collect British stuff, and as I live here....
-
Very wise! :)
-
It stopped me from buying outside of the EU. I was paying a fortune to the Customs people. If you buy from the U.S. it was daft buying £15 posters, but the more expensive they were the higher the costs, even the handling charge goes up on a sliding scale..
I was regularly paying £80-100+ in total to those Monkeys, so thought, I could have another poster for the extra I was being ripped off by, so stopped.
I still find enough to keep me happy in the EU... :)
The same for me too. I was hit with a £300+ charge (..from HA.. always HA) that was enough for me. I've limited myself to EU only. I'm usually better off purchasing from dealers within the EU than from further shores once customs and shipping has been accounted for. :'(
-
Places like HA (and many others) will claim the full value on the customs forms.. that's just how they work. I'm sure it can be a kicker, tho, when it comes to the tax owed on something declared at the full bid/purchase price. OUCH! crying
Plus, the forms that show a high end item's value, is a potential for said package to disappear, en route. A Big $$$ written where all can see = an eye catching, blinking, red beacon to some sticky fingered person working for the carrier. Doh.gif
-
The same for me too. I was hit with a £300+ charge (..from HA.. always HA) that was enough for me. I've limited myself to EU only. I'm usually better off purchasing from dealers within the EU than from further shores once customs and shipping has been accounted for. :'(
WoW £300+ that must have been a heck of a poster. Good that you find your posters within the EU. Shipping is cheaper too.
-
Places like HA (and many others) will claim the full value on the customs forms.. that's just how they work. I'm sure it can be a kicker, tho, when it comes to the tax owed on something declared at the full bid/purchase price. OUCH! crying
Plus, the forms that show a high end item's value, is a potential for said package to disappear, en route. A Big $$$ written where all can see = an eye catching, blinking, red beacon to some sticky fingered person working for the carrier. Doh.gif
Thing is Jeff, when you declare the true value, it's covered for that amount, where as if you don't declare it and it goes missing, you claim very little back...
I have taken a few chances over the years, but the older I get, the more I think it's not worth it if it goes missing.
-
Thing is Jeff, when you declare the true value, it's covered for that amount, where as if you don't declare it and it goes missing, you claim very little back...
I have taken a few chances over the years, but the older I get, the more I think it's not worth it if it goes missing.
True, Paul.. was more just referring to those stories we have all seen or read where a package or tube had arrived with the contents missing, or the parcel goes missing 100%. And, tho covered, if the item is gone, and it was a poster that rarely comes along.. the cash refunded wont make up for the 'lost' item. :'(
-
I tend to find, anything HA has that I would want ends up over priced anyway
I found HA 's charges ''clearer'' than say Bonhams or Christies here in the UK, as sometimes you end up paying BP + VAT on top, not always, so I find it a bit confusing, whereas HA's charges for whatever reason seem to me to be a clearer cut. But I am not arguing that it is expensive or indeed sometimes overpriced if one is not careful enough
-
WoW £300+ that must have been a heck of a poster. Good that you find your posters within the EU. Shipping is cheaper too.
To be fair it was a combined package of 6 posters. Still, being hit with a £300+ customs invoice was enough to scare me off. crying
-
Problem solved! Which of us is going to volunteer to stop what they're doing this instant, and retrain as an affordable British poster restorer?
-
Below is the email I received from HMRC (UK tax Department) in relation to film posters..In case this is of any use to colleagues from the UK.
This explains why I was charged the reduced % VAT few weeks ago. So the reduced rate still applies although ‘’posters’’ are explicitly mentioned under ‘’standard i.e 20 % VAT’’. It would seem appropriate checking with HRMC on a case by case basis before buying a poster from abroad.
Hope this helps
---------------------------------------
Dear xxxx
Thank you for your query of xxxx
Most goods imported into the UK from outside the EU are subject to import duty and VAT.
In some cases a reduced amount of VAT can be applied. For more information in this regard please refer to our public notice no.7052, "Imports". It's available online at
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-notice-702-imports
See paras.3.4 and 3.5 and section 11.
If the posters could be considered "collectors' pieces of..... historical .......interest" then the reduced rate could apply. See para. 11.3. For guidance as to whether the goods in question can be imported under tariff code 9705 00 00 you should contact our classification helpline on 03000 513777. They are open from 1pm to 5 pm Monday – Thursday, 1pm to 4.30 pm on Fridays.
Yours sincerely,
Xxxxx
-
That's very interesting, thanks Rosa.
I've successfully been able to appeal for the 5% rate and get refunded for screen prints in the past, I wish I'd tried with other posters now!
-
Yes, most interesting, but it also seems a chew on getting money back from them. I guess they just think if it's a couple of pounds people won't bother, but for a higher priced item, worth the chew.