Hi I would ask all those who have in the past been stung for this unfair VAT on the import of kits via the Internet to write and complain to their MP , EU MP, and Gordon Brown . To do my bit for the planet I added two items together to save on P&P . Both were under the stupid low level entry of £18-00 , one was a book and the other a kit . I still got stung for £8-76 VAT which I had to pay up front before I was able to collect the kit and book. Neither of which will kill you like the cross channel trips for booze and fags which you can for your own consumption run into thousands of pounds worth and no VAT paid . We are the most over taxed country in the world and this now proves it .
It was stupid taxes like this that lost use a country in 1776 . P**** off Ian

That's an impressive mark up... Then why does Gordon always look as if some thing large is being inserted..

A quick question, from where was it shipped, and how did they kow the value?

Cheers
Henk

Hi it was from Hobby Link Japan , and the cost was on the outside customs slip in Yen . I forgot to add the £18-00 entry level now includes P&P . cheeers ian

Ian,
In future, do your shopping at Lucky Model.

Vinnie

I got my Tamiya Char today from HLJ, that sneaked through customs ok
I've brought loads of things from Ebay from all over the world and only been "captured" twice (both from the U.S.)
I think it's pot luck what container gets the customs treatment
Andy

Andy, that's what I mean...............order from Lucky Model and it removes the 'luck' from the equation................

Vinnie

This subject came up the other night we went round to my Girlfriends sister's for dinner and she was telling us that she had ordered an American Football helmet for her boyfriend from America Bla di Bla, any way when it arrived she had to pay £27 and the odd pence Customs charge. she was not impressed
Has not happened to me yet! but i know several others. another stupid Stealth tax this country has invented

Time to get of me box


redleg

This seems to be a randonly applied tax as has been illustrated by other posters. I to have been hit by this tax, but not on every order from over seas....it seems if you are fortunate you will get through and not have to pay...i guess it is easier to catch honest ppl than it is to stop illegals entering the country and staying, damn us for being honest

Regards from the Swamp

Hawkeye

Hi I recieved in the post two replies , one from PM's office saying they are looking into it and the other from my local MP who has tabled a question for the Goverment answer . I Will keep you posted cheers ian

Hi All , just an update to let you know I won a refund and as close as an appology as you can get from civialservantspeak . small guys can take on the goverment and win sometimes cheers ian

Congrats what a result

Should not happen in the first place though

redleg

I've just imported a 75-300 zoom lense for my SLR from the US, and got stung £14.87 VAT + £13.00 clearance charge (USPS + Parcelforce). Still a hell of a lot cheaper than buying it at UK prices:

UK price = £199

US price(converted from $) £62 + shipping, VAT & clearance = £116

Rip0off Britain still rules ok by the look of it - or do people like (in this case) Pentax set a different recommended selling price in different markets?

Brilliant Result Ian! Way to go!




i.e. They sent you something like; "We're refunding you, but do remember; It's your fault we made this mistake in the first place!" :-) :-) :-) :-)





It's not only Pentax, bought any Nikon parts lately (a friend has a D70, he testifies to overseas buying). Why are Airbrushes double the price in the UK?

Good to hear you got a refund Sandy.........it is always refreshing to hear news like this.

Regards from the Swamp

Hawkeye

Hi Sandy,

Nice one, were are over taxed on everything we buy. Well worth the letter/email to the Government.

Cheers

Al

I would feel extrememly depressed if any of my gifts I send to friends over the UK are being taxed, since I clearly mark them exactly what they are GIFTS.

Hi Even if it is marked as a Gift , if it has a value of £36-00 or more then it can be taxed by UK Customs , They get every way they can , Little wonder we lost America in 1776 over stupid taxes such as this , they never learn . cheers ian

And the total includes the postage.... ???
That certainly is a rip off..... some items I've sent due to weight cost over 10 quid to send. I'll have to remember to really de-value my "birthday gifts".....

For what reason did you win the refund?

Hi , I won my case as I could prove that the articles as indevidual items were under the rules , But they the Customs lumped them together plus the postage and taxed me on that amount . Also it seems that Customs failed the first test in reading and understanding , as it was marked plastic kit and Printed matter , but heck it is only customs picking on easy targets instead of the real ciminals in the world . cheers ian