R3A from HK: custom charges...

[davirix]

Hi all,

I was waiting for my new bessa + nokton from HK through ParcelForce, but I got this message from the tracking system:

AWAITING CUSTOMS CHARGING

I guess now I have to pay the custom fee, shit... I was told, and fondly believed that they wouldn't charge.
Question: do I have to go to the international hub, pay and collect the item? or it's going to be deliveried provided I pay to Parcelforce?

Anybody has experienced the same problem? any suggestion?

thank a lot.

David

 

[lushd]

Here's how it's happened to me - the friendly postino brings it to your door. He or she tells you the damage for the customs duty, plus the fee to Parcel Force for collecting it (this is a particularly nasty bit - you have to pay a fee just to be allowed pay the duty). You pay. They only take cheques. You go and sit down until you stop shaking. It's unpleasant.

You may be able to reduce the amount PF charge for the honour of collecting and forwarding your duty by going to wherever, but I have my doubts. You might be able to contact Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and pay them directly - at least you will not have to pay the PF fee as well if they will let you do this. I haven't tried this so I don't know if it's possible.

Hope it works out!

 

[vincentbenoit]

The parcel is going to be delivered to your home, but I'm afraid you'll have to pay whatever fee Customs & Excise feel like charging you for the import... I purchased a used camera from the States recently and guess what, I had to pay no import duty or custom fee but... VAT! Yep, the full 17.5% british rate, on a used item! :bang: I had bought photographic equipment from abroad previously, including new stuff, and not once did I have to pay VAT, so I certainly didn't expect this one. Anyway, what you'll end up being charged is anyone's guess. By the way ParcelForce usually charges a flat "clearance fee" of £13.50 on top of C&E charges.

Good luck.

Vincent

 

[vincentbenoit]

You might be able to contact Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and pay them directly - at least you will not have to pay the PF fee as well if they will let you do this. I haven't tried this so I don't know if it's possible.

I've tried. To no avail...

Vincent

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Of course you need to pay duty and tax.

Why shouldn't you?

 

[vincentbenoit]

Of course you need to pay duty and tax.

Why shouldn't you?

Because most parcels are overlooked by Customs & Excise... Having to pay duty and tax is the exception rather than the rule.

Vincent

 

[davirix]

thank you for your reply.

But I still wonder what will they charge for the new R3a+Nokton 40?
the vat, 17.5%? other import duties?

thanks

 

[jan normandale]

Hi all,

I was waiting for my new bessa + nokton from HK through ParcelForce, but I got this message from the tracking system:

AWAITING CUSTOMS CHARGING

I guess now I have to pay the custom fee, shit... I was told, and fondly believed that they wouldn't charge.
Question: do I have to go to the international hub, pay and collect the item? or it's going to be deliveried provided I pay to Parcelforce?

Anybody has experienced the same problem? any suggestion?

thank a lot.

David

David , it all depends on the country you live in whether or not you will pay customs / duties. Some countries also charge federal and regional taxes. If you are in Europe I would suggest going to your home country website and read your customs regulations.

Many people don't know their regulations or read them. Therefore they are often charged for duties or taxes that should not be levied. This is especially common when using couriers. They charge without reading or checking, this uses their time and reduces their profit so they charge, collect and remit to the various agencies without checking. These agencies retain the collected fees and unless you ask for them to be returned based on documentation you are the loser. In the end it's up to you to know your government's applicable acts. No one on the selling or delivering side and sometimes the government side will do it for you or help you. Yer' on your own!

good luck where ever you are!
Enjoy the camera and come back and post some shots in the gallery

 

[Fred]

In my case I just got a note posted. "Fee to pay upon collection" So I wander over to my local post office to pay the 'holding' fee + admin + VAT on the value customs assessed value plus the postage cost. Sweet 🙁

The following link might help. Oh and I'm not associated with any of the stuff in trhe link.

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channels...l?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageImport_InfoGuides

 

[davirix]

I live in London UK, but hope I shouldn't care anymore because .... GOOOD NEWS, I just check the tracking system of Parcelforce and says:

En route to delivery depot
RELEASED WITHOUT CHARGES
😀
It made my 2006 year!

thank you all guys,
I'll post pictures of my bessa, for now this:
it's me in a protest-climbing of the separation wall Israel is building in Palestinian territory.

 

[vincentbenoit]

thank you for your reply.

But I still wonder what will they charge for the new R3a+Nokton 40?
the vat, 17.5%? other import duties?

thanks

You'll know soon enough...