Hobby Link Japan & VAT

[Guest]

Not sure if this is in right place, if not can a mod please do the necessary?

Anyway, I've just bought a few bits from Hobby Link & can't fault their service & communications however I've just had a letter from Parcelforce saying they have held my package and I need to pay the VAT back they have paid on my behalf but also a fee for the privilege (£13.50 !) which is almost twice the VAT.

Anyone else encountered this?

I'm probably seeing it worst case as the swine from Parcelforce have lost the kit the bits were for :-(

[Paul Davies]

Yeah this is normal. They also having trouble with the system for paying import VAT which they know about but dont tell you so you think its all gone through ok but then have to chase them up and they are really not very helpfull. The 13.50 is just profit for them as they have already been paid to deliver the parcel!

[Guest]

If anyone buys stuff from outside the EU, specify DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) or Free Domicile shipping. That ensures the shipper is responsible for all charges to your door.

VAT is still applicable, but the shipper won't be asked to pay this, so there's no chance of them adding extra costs on top.

Cheers

Patrick

[John]

Buying from outside the EU does seem good until the inbound fees get added, another way round it if Hobbylink would do it would be to put a low value price on the waybill, I think if it's under £20 then there is no duty, £13.50 is the duty it doesn't go to parcel force but to the Government

[Guest]

The £13.50 does (did) go to Parcelforce according to invoice, however it arrived today

Nicely OTT packaged for a decal sheet and a tiny PE set !

[Ian M]

Now if they had put that in a card envelope, no one would of noticed.

Ian M

[Guest]

Better than being bent Dave!

Ooh-err missus!

Cheers

Patrick