There are a lot of companies that supply bits and bobs for the Z in the USA ,these are generally cheaper than what we can get it for over there.

Saying that when you add on the postage and the dreaded tax, then the savings aren't usually that great.

I've got relatives in the US, so if I ordered something and got it sent to them and they then sent it on to me, would that be a way of avoiding the tax?

Anyone know?

Cheers,

F.T.

Can't help there but one good trick I have seen is for the supplier to send the invoice to you seperately and put an invoice on the package with a much lower price, lowering the import extortion.

 

;)

 

Courtesy don't do that though ! :(

Hello Tony,

 

According to DHL, customs have a rule that any presents over the value of £36 is liable for import duty. As Konrad says you can lower the value but the only downside to that is if it goes missing you can only claim for the value you have put down. I suppose with most couriers you have a good tracking system so the chance of it getting lost would be pretty small - still a risk though................

 

Vijay

 

If they come over, get them to bring them - that's what I do:)

Hiya Tony me old mate!

 

I think getting your relatives to send anything will greatly reduce the risk of getting clobbered with the tax but there is still a chance customs might have a nose and poke about.

You've got nothing to lose though really eh?

 

While you're at it, could you.............ha ha, joke!

 

Take it easy.:D

I always seem to get clobbered by Courtesy but recently ordered a set of Axxis metal master front and rear pads total cost including carriage was $90 so about £55 but this was sent by normal post and so i payed no duty etc and it still got here in 4 days

I have ordered alot fromt he states and it always worked out cheaper for me regardless of customs and duties ect, same thing goes for Japan. I have alway managed to get the price better than if i baught it direct over here? (Rip of Britain i think it is)

 

You can get goods devalued ect and you can declare goods very vaugly at customs, and if you order goods in to the airport and collect and do customs yourself, you can save alot there aswell, as 90% of your bill will be the clearing agent (whoever the company uses)

Courtesy use one of the big couriers that have their own duty processing offices and therefore virtually nothing slips through the net. I have found that if you ask for it to be shipped USPS (US Postal Service) then it's significantly cheaper, it takes a little longer and the tax is frequently missed as it's then down to a combination of our import people and the post office to do the collection.

 

One of the REALLY annoying things is that you get taxed on the total cost of the parcel (e.g. $50 of postage), not just the goods, so if the shipping comes down to say $20, then you have a much better chance of a 'borderline' case where they don't seem to bother.