Parcelforce 'Awaiting Customs Charging'

Michie · 02-02-2010, 20:30

I ordered some jewellery from China and have tracked the parcel to find that it is showing as 'awaiting customs charging' ... does this mean im going to get charged??!

Parcel tracks

Date Time Location Tracking Event

29-01-2010 17:14 International Hub AWAITING CUSTOMS CHARGING
29-01-2010 17:14 International Hub Arrived in destination country
29-01-2010 00:53 Heathrow Airport Arrived at destination country
26-01-2010 22:34 Delivery Agent - SHANGHAI - PTT Left origin country
26-01-2010 17:59 Delivery Agent - CHINA Collected from customer

According to this the parcel has been in UK since 29th, so its taking some time for them to send it on ... has anyone else had this with an overseas parcel? If so did you get charged???

truman · 02-02-2010, 20:54

Yep,you'll probably get stung for VAT

medusa · 02-02-2010, 20:56

And possibly import duty as well...

Dozy · 02-02-2010, 21:00

And an extra charge for not coughing up the duty in the first place ....

shortcrust · 02-02-2010, 21:09

And on top of all that they charge a fee of either £8 or £13.50, depending on the postal method, on top of all the rest. I hope you're happy with your item though. I stupidly got some running shoes form China the other day and found that they were fakes. Admittedly very good fakes, but still fakes. And with all the additional charges I paid more that I would have for a genuine pair in the UK.

Lesson learnt.

EDIT: Nothing happens over the weekend, which might explain the delay from the 29th.

Michie · 02-02-2010, 21:14

oh brilliant! hmmm i guess this is lesson learned (if i do get stung with all these charges!) and won't be buying from abroad again then unless im on holiday.

ah well, as long its in sheffield before 20th i don't mind

spindrift · 02-02-2010, 21:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michie

and I won't be buying from abroad again then unless im on holiday.

Fantastic! That could be a line from The Royle Family, genius!

shortcrust · 02-02-2010, 21:17

You might get lucky. Some companies mark packages as gifts of low value to avoid these charges, and it often works. Will keep my fingers crossed for you!

I read somewhere that Parcelforce has been taken to the small claims a few times by people who think part of their charges are illegal. Apparently Parcelforce generally settles out of court. A lot of trouble for a few quid though.

Michie · 02-02-2010, 21:25

[QUOTE=therealchris;5888235]You might get lucky. Some companies mark packages as gifts of low value to avoid these charges, and it often works. Will keep my fingers crossed for you!
QUOTE]

oooh yeah , hope so!

Michie · 02-02-2010, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by spindrift

Fantastic! That could be a line from The Royle Family, genius!

hehe now ive read it back it is quite an amusing comment ... and my fella says im not funny!

Michie · 04-02-2010, 09:25

Date Time Location Tracking Event

04-02-2010 00:39 Rotherham East Depot Out for delivery
04-02-2010 00:38 Rotherham East Depot Arrived at delivery depot
03-02-2010 13:31 National Hub Sorted in hub
29-01-2010 17:14 International Hub AWAITING CUSTOMS CHARGING
29-01-2010 17:14 International Hub Arrived in destination country
29-01-2010 00:53 Heathrow Airport Arrived at destination country
26-01-2010 22:34 Delivery Agent - SHANGHAI - PTT Left origin country
26-01-2010 17:59 Delivery Agent - CHINA Collected from customer

I've tracked it again today and is saying out for delivery ... does this mean i have got away without paying the charges??!! hope so! i also hope it arrives today seeing as it is now in rotherham ...... fingers crossed!!

alchresearch · 04-02-2010, 09:28

You should be ok. Whenever I've had to pay they just put a card through the letterbox.

jane2008 · 04-02-2010, 09:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michie

Date Time Location Tracking Event

04-02-2010 00:39 Rotherham East Depot Out for delivery
04-02-2010 00:38 Rotherham East Depot Arrived at delivery depot
03-02-2010 13:31 National Hub Sorted in hub
29-01-2010 17:14 International Hub AWAITING CUSTOMS CHARGING
29-01-2010 17:14 International Hub Arrived in destination country
29-01-2010 00:53 Heathrow Airport Arrived at destination country
26-01-2010 22:34 Delivery Agent - SHANGHAI - PTT Left origin country
26-01-2010 17:59 Delivery Agent - CHINA Collected from customer

I've tracked it again today and is saying out for delivery ... does this mean i have got away without paying the charges??!! hope so! i also hope it arrives today seeing as it is now in rotherham ...... fingers crossed!!

You might still have to pay. If there is a charge you will probably get a card through the letter box asking you to pick your item up from the sorting office and take the cash with you.

If it's by a company such as FedEx they will deliver the parcel to you then send you a bill.

Stoatwobbler · 04-02-2010, 09:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by medusa

And possibly import duty as well...

Look here if you want to know what duty rates an import of any goods will incur.

http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg...?r.s=b&r.lc=en

truman · 04-02-2010, 09:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by jane2008

You might still have to pay. If there is a charge you will probably get a card through the letter box asking you to pick your item up from the sorting office and take the cash with you.

If it's by a company such as FedEx they will deliver the parcel to you then send you a bill.

Don't FedEx charge for doing the "administration".. as well ?

jane2008 · 04-02-2010, 11:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by truman

Don't FedEx charge for doing the "administration".. as well ?

To be honest, I don't know. I just paid the bill as I was aware before hand that I had charges to pay.

foxy lady · 04-02-2010, 11:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michie

I ordered some jewellery from China and have tracked the parcel to find that it is showing as 'awaiting customs charging' ... does this mean im going to get charged??!

Parcel tracks

Date Time Location Tracking Event

29-01-2010 17:14 International Hub AWAITING CUSTOMS CHARGING
29-01-2010 17:14 International Hub Arrived in destination country
29-01-2010 00:53 Heathrow Airport Arrived at destination country
26-01-2010 22:34 Delivery Agent - SHANGHAI - PTT Left origin country
26-01-2010 17:59 Delivery Agent - CHINA Collected from customer

According to this the parcel has been in UK since 29th, so its taking some time for them to send it on ... has anyone else had this with an overseas parcel? If so did you get charged???

There are three charges.

1 VAT @ 17.5% of invoice price (this includes postage charges)
2 Import duty. I don't know what rate it is charged on jewelery, but it is 6% on electrical goods.
3 Parcel Forces handling charge for paying your duties on your behalf.

I bought a guitar from the USA last year. Paid around £900. Then I had to pay £130 freight plus another £300 ish to UK customs etc.

Michie · 04-02-2010, 13:21

i've just tracked it again and it says now its at my local PO ... but without a card i can't collect it gggrrrrrr stupid parcel force ! the cheeky chuff didn't even try and deliver this !!!!!!!!

Michie · 04-02-2010, 13:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxy lady

I bought a guitar from the USA last year. Paid around £900. Then I had to pay £130 freight plus another £300 ish to UK customs etc.

bad times ... i hope it was worth it tho

RocknRolla · 18-05-2010, 20:34

Firstly sorry for bumping an old post, but it seemed better than starting a new thread about a similar subject.

I recently proposed to my girlfriend in Las Vegas, but she managed to leave the ring in the hotel on our last night.

Thankfully the ring was found by the hotel staff and mailed back. It is currently 'awaiting customs charging'

The question is as this was purchased in the UK before the holiday, and i have already paid vat, will i get charged again? obviously there is no receipt with stating a value so how would they know what to charge. Also how long does this process usually take and is there any way to speed it up?