Hi guys

 

I'm looking at buying some new drum stuff, which is quite specific and practically impossible to get over here.

 

It's available in America though, and what I'm after is for sale brand new on Ebay for a decent price. He says he can ship it to me at a cost of 325 US dollars via Fedex... but then there would be import taxes etc on top for me to pay when it arrives.

 

Now, seen as its massive and is worth in the region of £1700, I expect the taxes will be massive.

 

Does anyone have any ideas on how I can get this shipped over here whilst somehow avoiding import taxes? Or getting it over here as cheap as possible while still having insurance against it? I don't need it in any massive rush so dont mind waiting a few weeks for it to arrive...

 

Any advice appreciated :)

 

Thanks

 

Alex

you can not avoid the taxs/dutys ... but you can limit them

 

now as a rule u pay around 25% of the total UK Priced Value .. now if the sender puts a Low value to the goods .. say 10% of the total cost on the outside of the box

u will only get charged the 25% of that .. How Ever ... if the parcel gets LOST or DAMAGED your insurance will only cover the Value on the box declared ...

You cant have your cake and eat it.

If the seller under declares it on the shipping manifest to avoid some of the duty then you wont be able to make an insurance claim if it all goes wrong for any more than the declared value.

Ok, so for example, if the stuff I have bought is worth £1500 (say), if I don't get them to put a different price on the box then I'll get charged about £350ish in taxes/fees?

 

But, if I get them to put £500 on the box I'd only pay about £125 (plus the shipping fees obviously) but if it gets damaged then it's my own tough luck... right?

 

Can anyone recommend a good cheap courier that could collect them from the states (I think its Arizona? maybe Indiana?) and send them here? I'm not convinced that their quote of 325 US Dollars for Fedex economy is the best available....

 

cheers guys

I'd say that shipping quote is quite reasonable.

Not going to comment on the tax evasion issue, personal choice/risk in the end.

Ok, so for example, if the stuff I have bought is worth £1500 (say), if I don't get them to put a different price on the box then I'll get charged about £350ish in taxes/fees?

 

But, if I get them to put £500 on the box I'd only pay about £125 (plus the shipping fees obviously) but if it gets damaged then it's my own tough luck... right?

 

Can anyone recommend a good cheap courier that could collect them from the states (I think its Arizona? maybe Indiana?) and send them here? I'm not convinced that their quote of 325 US Dollars for Fedex economy is the best available....

 

cheers guys

 

 

thats spot on m8 and the postage charge is right too ..

 

i just been quoted $900 for Bumper/Splitter/skirts for postage from states

yikes... was hoping I'd be able to get it all shipped somewhere in the region of about £150... dont need anything express or anything like that but anyway

 

cheers all

well your not far off it works out around £215 for postage in Pounds

yeah I guess but there will then be import taxes on top... anyway will see what I can do

And don't forget the PO putting an £8 handling fee on as well. Thieving fookers....

And don't forget the PO putting an £8 handling fee on as well. Thieving fookers....

 

No company works for free. They are collecting the Vat and duty on behalf on HMCustoms and charge for it.

I dont like paying any more than you do but all freight companies make a charge for handling the transaction.

Can anyone recommend a good cheap courier that could collect them from the states (I think its Arizona? maybe Indiana?) and send them here? I'm not convinced that their quote of 325 US Dollars for Fedex economy is the best available....

 

Fedex economy from the US is a good value service. The order is fully tracked at all stages. It is only handled by Fedex employed staff.

Thats why thousands of Ebay sellers in the US use them. Any reputable seller of high value goods wont entertain using anyone else(UPS are normally as good) The USPS service is a second best but still OK but the weak link is that Parcel Force are their partner over here

Since its Air freight its never going to be cheap.

If you deffo want it to go missing or get damaged then use someone cheap and cheerful with surface shipping(Sea)

That means it will be handled by sub contractors and 3rd party agents. It may well sit in an unguarded container on a dock!!!

It might take weeks to arrive and it might be wet, damaged or have bits missing.

You might think that by insuring it then you will be safe....Ha Ha!!!!