Question for UK smokers - Parcelforce.

[BigJim]

Hi Everyone,
I have tracked my order (EMS) through parcelforce, it says it is in the country:

31-03-2009 21:05 International HubAWAITING CUSTOMS CHARGING31-03-2009 21:05 International HubArrived in destination country29-03-2009 01:12 Delivery Agent - GUANGZHOU - PTTLeft origin country27-03-2009 17:00 Delivery Agent - CHINACollected from customer

What does 'Awaiting Customs Charging mean? Does it mean im gonna get HIT? Or is it just going through the usual motions?
Anyone know how long parcelforce hold them for, im aching to get vaping!

 

[Phalse]

parcel force! ?! is this a tv show?

 

[Denni]

Looks like it got hit. That happened to my Asus EeePC, and it took two weeks. At the very least you will have to pay handling fees.

 

[BigJim]

What cost would handling fees be? Funny thing is if you look at the times, it arrived in the country, then straight away said 'Awaiting customs charging', how could they tell straight away what it was, with the volume of things coming into the country, they better not bloody charge me, or ill be down the post office in uniform and ill be arresting the lot of them for theft!!!

 

[BigJim]

parcel force! ?! is this a tv show?

As usual Phalas, your postings are as mad as a basket of frogs!!!
Chocolate Tea Pot springs to mind!!!

 

[PeteMcArthur]

Hi Everyone,
I have tracked my order (EMS) through parcelforce, it says it is in the country:

31-03-2009 21:05 International HubAWAITING CUSTOMS CHARGING31-03-2009 21:05 International HubArrived in destination country29-03-2009 01:12 Delivery Agent - GUANGZHOU - PTTLeft origin country27-03-2009 17:00 Delivery Agent - CHINACollected from customer

What does 'Awaiting Customs Charging mean? Does it mean im gonna get HIT? Or is it just going through the usual motions?
Anyone know how long parcelforce hold them for, im aching to get vaping!

Looks like a hit. I think they will charge about 20% duty, then 15% VAT and the real bugger is ParcelFarces collection fee, the last time they hit me for £17 on top of the tax.

You may be luckier...

 

[BigJim]

If the sender didn't declare the correct value on the parcel, how does that implicate the charge I will get, not naming names but I think the seller does a nice "Bubble Wrap" football with a very low value indeed.

 

[PeteMcArthur]

If the sender didn't declare the correct value on the parcel, how does that implicate the charge I will get, not naming names but I think the seller does a nice "Bubble Wrap" football with a very low value indeed.

That sounds like BesteCig. The bubblewrap football tends to deter opening and they do put $5 on the parcel. I think you may get away with it, it's all down to luck...

 

[BigJim]

HE He HE fingers crossed. Customs must be mad as hatters, they know I payed a lot for shipping, for something worth $5!!!

So is it difficult for them to say "We think the stuff in the bubble wrap is worth more than $5, so you have to pay xxx"

How would they work out how much to charge me if they didn't know the true value of the goods?

 

[wothartley]

Hi BigJim

I have had the same tracking on each of my orders, usually released by customs in a couple of days.

So far no custom charges using Parcelforce.

I have been hit once using TNT. This was from e-cig.com, had to pay VAT and £15 handling charges. TNT informed me by letter a few days after delivery.

Hope this helps.

 

[BigJim]

So do you think this is what they put anyway, then decide whether to charge or not? Seems to me you pay for quick shipping, EMS send it very quickly but it spends longer sat in a warehouse in the UK, its no wonder the country is in the ****!

 

[e-pipeman]

I've had "awaiting customs charging" on an ems/parcelforce delivery but did not get charged. Good luck!

 

[e-pipeman]

parcel force! ?! is this a tv show?

No, it's a parcel delivery service in the UK. It used to be part of the Post Office.

 

[shadow]

it always says customs charging this is just standard,iv'e had to wait 2 days while its been like this before it's out for delivery, i had one last week from Beci and i had a phone call from parcel force, i thought at first it was customs charges but part of the label with my address had come off and they sent it to Glasgow by mistake,i just gave them the right address and it was delivered the next day.

 

[Valgar]

You shouldnt get charged on items with a value less than £20. At least thats what I remember when I got slapped for import tax last time I ordered something.

 

[Denni]

Customs will open the parcel and determine that the contents are worth more than 18 quid (which you are allowed to receive, but I think that includes shipping). They will ask for invoices too.

I'm not sure whether they can charge duty on non-tobacco items, but they may fine for wrongful declaration of goods and the VAT they slap on includes shipping costs. They have long since grown wise to Ebay tactics.

I don't order from outside the EU if I can help it