Customs, is this an abuse?

[PaulCheffus]

But the simple fact of the matter is that the fee exists and you know it exists (or you should before attempting to import something) so its a bit rich to complain about it when you get caught. If you object to paying it, don't import stuff!

Its like getting a speeding ticket and then arguing that the fine/fee is over the odds. Don't break or attempt to break the law if you're unhappy about the consequences.

Either that or just have the good grace to man up and pay up.

Hi

I agree.

I bought a PCB and a switch for my Picade from the USA earlier this year for around £17.35 not including postage. I ended up paying £11.47 extra comprising £3.47 VAT and £8 handling fee. I knew there was a possiblility of this happening but I took the risk as I couldn't and still can't buy one in the UK.

Cheers

Paul

[DELETED]

It's well out there re: import costs so you weigh that up when you buy???

It's still a postcode / shipping lottery which must always be born in mind.  Idon't object to costs apart from I usually get a letter stating a £1 cost of sending me a letter in the first place, then a £XX charge for dispatch in the UK -WHEN I'VE ALREADY PAID FOR DOOR TO DOOR SHIPPING.

I really admire most honestly the Japanese shipping system.  It's cheap and fast, good sellers provide tracking, the package usually does 1/2 way round the world (12,000 miles?) within 24-36hrs.  Then it his the UK.  500 miles takes up to 48h and it can sit in local depot for up to 72 (no ability for local pick-up).  So estimates from Japan at 28 days probably aren't that far off.  Just a shame 20 of them may be in the UK at extra cost!

...It's such a well published thing you take your chances and ...

Rich

[deibid]

But the simple fact of the matter is that the fee exists and you know it exists (or you should before attempting to import something) so its a bit rich to complain about it when you get caught. If you object to paying it, don't import stuff!

Its like getting a speeding ticket and then arguing that the fine/fee is over the odds. Don't break or attempt to break the law if you're unhappy about the consequences.

Either that or just have the good grace to man up and pay up.

For starters.. I knew there was a possibility. But... didn´t know anything about that stupid "fee" that is most of the cost. 3 quid VAT is totally fair. the extra 8 is what I didn´t know about.
Regarding "not doing it" is precisely what I will do from now.
And please... stop that nonsense comparison with a speeding ticket. First, I did nothing wrong. Second this is a tax and a fee, not a fine.  Third... buying something does not endanger anyone, only my pocket AFAIK.

[DELETED]

But the simple fact of the matter is that the fee exists and you know it exists (or you should before attempting to import something) so its a bit rich to complain about it when you get caught. If you object to paying it, don't import stuff!

Its like getting a speeding ticket and then arguing that the fine/fee is over the odds. Don't break or attempt to break the law if you're unhappy about the consequences.

Either that or just have the good grace to man up and pay up.

For starters.. I knew there was a possibility. But... didn´t know anything about that stupid "fee" that is most of the cost. 3 quid VAT is totally fair. the extra 8 is what I didn´t know about.
Regarding "not doing it" is precisely what I will do from now.
And please... stop that nonsense comparison with a speeding ticket. First, I did nothing wrong. Second this is a tax and a fee, not a fine.  Third... buying something does not endanger anyone, only my pocket AFAIK.

...Oh one more thing seeing as the speeding analogy came up again.  I wish to join the comment before Re: speeding.  I for one don't do it and wish no part of that generalisation thankyou very much!!!

[ScottyStitch]

Wow!

[Rabs]

But the simple fact of the matter is that the fee exists and you know it exists (or you should before attempting to import something) so its a bit rich to complain about it when you get caught. If you object to paying it, don't import stuff!

I don't know if you are deliberately riling people up but I think that a lot of people don't know it exists.  I certainly didn't the first time I was forced to pay an outrageous 'handling fee' on a £2 item.  The first time you see it is when the company (note: NOT HMRC) send you a bill for tuppence tax and a hefty fee for themselves .  It's not a case of 'complaining when you get caught'. I and, it appears, everyone else here fully expect to pay the tax when importing an item.  As several people have said the complaint isn't about paying the tax.  People are quite reasonably complaining about the high fees charged by the delivery company for a trivial bit of paperwork. 

Its like getting a speeding ticket and then arguing that the fine/fee is over the odds. Don't break or attempt to break the law if you're unhappy about the consequences.

Actually, it is nothing at all like a speeding ticket.  The customer has done nothing wrong, it's not a fine and (this is the bit you seem to be missing) it's not charged by the government.  It is, in effect, a ransom fee from a private company to deliver your item when you have already paid them for the delivery.    Nobody is attempting to break the law by ordering something from outside the country and it's quite rude (and completely inaccurate) of you to suggest that they are.

[ScottyStitch]

But the simple fact of the matter is that the fee exists and you know it exists (or you should before attempting to import something) so its a bit rich to complain about it when you get caught. If you object to paying it, don't import stuff!

I don't know if you are deliberately riling people up but I think that a lot of people don't know it exists.  I certainly didn't the first time I was forced to pay an outrageous 'handling fee' on a £2 item.  The first time you see it is when the company (note: NOT HMRC) send you a bill for tuppence tax and a hefty fee for themselves .  It's not a case of 'complaining when you get caught'. I and, it appears, everyone else here fully expect to pay the tax when importing an item.  As several people have said the complaint isn't about paying the tax.  People are quite reasonably complaining about the high fees charged by the delivery company for a trivial bit of paperwork. 

Its like getting a speeding ticket and then arguing that the fine/fee is over the odds. Don't break or attempt to break the law if you're unhappy about the consequences.

Actually, it is nothing at all like a speeding ticket.  The customer has done nothing wrong, it's not a fine and (this is the bit you seem to be missing) it's not charged by the government.  It is, in effect, a ransom fee from a private company to deliver your item when you have already paid them for the delivery.    Nobody is attempting to break the law by ordering something from outside the country and it's quite rude (and completely inaccurate) of you to suggest that they are.

If that's the case complain about the 'ransom fee' and 'outrageous handling fee' before you import an item not after, and certainly don't come on a public forum complaining after the fact. Ignorance is no excuse! I really don't care if you think that is rude or not.

https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/143/~/when-you-have-a-fee-to-pay-grey-card.

This was in place before the Royal Mail was privatised.

[austinbob]

Come on people - lets get back to model railways please....

[deibid]

Why should I not complain in a public forum sir? the reason is... you don´t want to read? then DON´T.
Freedom of speech sir. I am a member of this forum, the topic is N gauge related (tomix chassis... remember) and I have all the right to complain.
Now I know how RM deals with this I won´t buy from Japan. If anyone wants to close this topic, feel free. The question I asked "is this an abuse" has been answered... it´s not, it´s what they use to do. Is just a rip off.

[austinbob]

Why should I not complain in a public forum sir? the reason is... you don´t want to read? then DON´T.
Freedom of speech sir. I am a member of this forum, the topic is N gauge related (tomix chassis... remember) and I have all the right to complain.
Now I know how RM deals with this I won´t buy from Japan. If anyone wants to close this topic, feel free.

Not a very helpful response I'm afraid. However you're right, I don't need to read this thread and, in fact I've got better things to do. Hope you feel better soon.

[deibid]

Why should I not complain in a public forum sir? the reason is... you don´t want to read? then DON´T.
Freedom of speech sir. I am a member of this forum, the topic is N gauge related (tomix chassis... remember) and I have all the right to complain.
Now I know how RM deals with this I won´t buy from Japan. If anyone wants to close this topic, feel free.

Not a very helpful response I'm afraid. However you're right, I don't need to read this thread and, in fact I've got better things to do. Hope you feel better soon.

Easy mate... I was not answering your post... was the one above yours, sorry about that. You are perfectly right, back to N gauge.

[austinbob]

Why should I not complain in a public forum sir? the reason is... you don´t want to read? then DON´T.
Freedom of speech sir. I am a member of this forum, the topic is N gauge related (tomix chassis... remember) and I have all the right to complain.
Now I know how RM deals with this I won´t buy from Japan. If anyone wants to close this topic, feel free.

Not a very helpful response I'm afraid. However you're right, I don't need to read this thread and, in fact I've got better things to do. Hope you feel better soon.

Easy mate... I was not answering your post... was the one above yours, sorry about that. You are perfectly right, back to N gauge.

Apology accepted and... welcome back to N gauge.

[ScottyStitch]

Excuse me? Your post title was a question. You were given a host of replies, some of which expressed the opinion that no it wasn't an abuse. You and others don't want to read the answers that aren't what you were looking for? Then don't post.

Is it an abuse? I'd say no, you might say yes but if you do say yes, complain about it before you import something. You didn't know about it? Then take the hit, pay up and if you want to vent, then vent but don't ask for people's opinions as you did.....SIR!

[deibid]

Excuse me? Your post title was a question. You were given a host of replies, some of which expressed the opinion that no it wasn't an abuse. You and others don't want to read the answers that aren't what you were looking for? Then don't post.

Is it an abuse? I'd say no, you might say yes but if you do say yes, complain about it before you import something. You didn't know about it? Then take the hit, pay up and if you want to vent, then vent but don't ask for people's opinions as you did.....SIR!

Exactly what I said before. Question answered. Please, let it be. It was not me who started comparing this with criminal offence. got it?

[NeMo]

Actually, it is nothing at all like a speeding ticket.  The customer has done nothing wrong, it's not a fine and (this is the bit you seem to be missing) it's not charged by the government.  It is, in effect, a ransom fee from a private company to deliver your item when you have already paid them for the delivery.    Nobody is attempting to break the law by ordering something from outside the country and it's quite rude (and completely inaccurate) of you to suggest that they are.

If that's the case complain about the 'ransom fee' and 'outrageous handling fee' before you import an item not after, and certainly don't come on a public forum complaining after the fact. Ignorance is no excuse! I really don't care if you think that is rude or not.

I can understand why it'd be nice to be able buy items from abroad and only pay for their cost and postage. But realistically, you can't expect to. All sorts of imports attract duties, tariffs and other costs at the border, and your high street retailer will have to pay those, whether directly or indirectly via a wholesaler. Those duties and tariffs exist for a variety of reasons, sometimes protectionism, sometimes simply to raise revenue for stuff like schools, hospitals and the armed forces, and you're entirely at liberty to vote for a party that would raise or lower them in a way you'd approve of.

Similarly you can't expect the Royal Mail to handle such charges for free. If you don't like the charge Royal Mail levies, you are entirely free to ask the vendor in Japan or wherever to select a different courier service that levies that fee at a different rate. But I doubt UPS, DHL or whoever you'd prefer would charge a substantially different rate.

Shipping items internationally is always going to be tricky because governments generally don't want us buying products outside their national borders. The more people do that, the less revenue governments make, and the less money to spend on the aforementioned schools, hospitals, armed forces and so on. So while it's wonderful that global free trade allows us to buy nice things from abroad, often saving a bit of money in doing so, there's absolutely no reason why you should assume it's going to be painless, and as ScottyStitch has said before, buyers should do thorough research beforehand so that they're aware of the hidden costs.

Cheers, NeMo