DHL Rip Off

[Henry BrownParticipant @henrybrown95529]

I buy specialist coins from all over the world for a good few years and I've been hammered a couple of times. Its a horrible feeling when you get stung like this but t seems that the carriers are getting more acute on picking this up, buyer beware I guess but its not the easiest of things to anticipate.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notice-143-a-guide-for-international-post-users/notice-143-a-guide-for-international-post-users

The above may be helpful.

Incidentally HMRC are becoming much more strict on checking imports from China.

Neil

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Whatever the interpretation of the current words … This ‘Policy paper’ indicates that the system will be changing soon: **LINK**

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-vat-treatment-of-overseas-goods-sold-to-customers-from-1-january-2021/changes-to-vat-treatment-of-overseas-goods-sold-to-customers-from-1-january-2021

[quote] The new arrangements will also involve the abolition of Low Value Consignment Relief, which relieves import VAT on consignments of goods valued at £15 or less. [/quote]

MichaelG.

[steveteeParticipant @stevetee]

It's not just a simple as paying the VAT , the parcel is also inspected , which probably means running through an x ray machine to check on the contents. I've received parcels with tape saying 'opened and checked re-sealed by customs' . So its not just a payment option. The item is physically dropped off , inspected and re -collected , then they have to get the amount payable off the recipient. I guess it all cost money

[Anthony KendallParticipant @anthonykendall53479]

I use this method of producing circuit boards regularly, and use both DHL and China post. If I use DHL I can get a PCB in my hands 6 days after I send the Gerber files to China. China post varies, but 26days is typical.
I think this is an excellent service and excellent value for money and nothing in the UK gets anywhere near it.

This thread seems to be diverting into importing goods legislation.

My interpretation of Duncan's post was that he too finds this service good and had no problem with paying his dues.

I thought the real question was about whether DHL should impose an originally un-declared admin charge. I think the answer is no – but I expect it is buried in the Ts&Cs!

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 13/10/2020 10:09:21:

Posted by Anthony Kendall on 13/10/2020 09:35:46:

[…]

I thought the real question was about whether DHL should impose an originally un-declared admin charge. I think the answer is no – but I expect it is buried in the Ts&Cs!

 

If you want to put it like that, Anthony … I think the real question would be whether DHL’s admin charge was ‘originally un-declared’ [and the answer to that is surely no].

The Royal Mail’s guidance is in plainer English than DHL’s … but the ‘process’ is prescribed by HMRC and should come as no surprise to anyone.

MichaelG.

.

For convenient reference:

**LINK**

https://www.royalmail.com/sites/default/files/International-customs-charges-leaflet-Jan-2017.pdf

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 13/10/2020 10:12:10

[SamsarandaParticipant @samsaranda]

I don’t know if it is relevant but any post and packing charges for an item supplied within UK are subject to VAT and are detailed on the VAT invoice, should it be any different for items purchased overseas ?

Dave W

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

This is what all the fuss was about, worth it in the end, so much better than veroboard. To go wit the article in ME about making pcbs in your own workshop we need one of the CNC gurus to come up with a whizzbang that will drill all the holes, a small x-y table which can be set up on the drilling machine (I can power the Z myself)

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

A Benbox might (just) be up to the job? Cost would buy quite a few bought-in boards, mind.

I am told that they are not much more than a toy (for milling metal) but one model should be up for drilling a lot of fiddly holes.

Just be aware of import duties, VAT and extra delivery/money collection charges, if imported from outside the EU.🙂

[Steve PaveyParticipant @stevepavey65865]

On a slightly different note, I have just bought a spindle and vfd from an eBay seller I have used before. This time however, instead of the items being sent from Portsmouth (presumably some sort of bonded warehouse???) they were sent from Prague. Delivered by DHL, but from the EU so no customs duty to pay. But when looking for which one to buy from the many listings I noticed that all the sellers of these spindle/vfds (obviously Chinese) were sending from Prague, whereas a few years ago they were often sent from locations in the U.K. Does this mean that these sellers have moved from the U.K. to mainland Europe in anticipation of the impending unmentionable B word coming into force at the end of the year?

[Ketan SwaliParticipant @ketanswali79440]

Steve,

You may be right to a certain extent. Here is another possible reason for such companies to move to Prague as I mentioned on another thread a few days ago:

‘About three years ago, HMRC issued a warning to freight forwarders based in Southampton mainly, which were acting as fulfilment centers for mainland Chinese companies. The Chinese companies would collect revenue, fail to pay, and go bust, and start in a new name the next day, operating with the same freight forwarders – warehousing.. HMRC advised freight forwarders that changes in rules were on their way to hold the freight forwarder responsible for revenue which the Chinese company failed to pay. Being aware of what is coming, this kind of fulfilment business moved to certain ports in the EU, where the regulations are more relaxed.’

Ketan at ARC

[OldironParticipant @oldiron]

Just an aside on DHL. I was trying to track a parcel last week and had to phone them to sort it out. They charged me £6.77 for the pleasure. It was their fault it was stuck in a depot somewhere. Should have checked their T&C for charges.

regards

[Ketan SwaliParticipant @ketanswali79440]

If one reads the policy paper to which Michael G has linked to, and if it is truly implemented, the OMPs like Amazon and eBay will finally and hopefully be forced to collect revenue for HMRC. If the system works, it can only be a good thing, to deal with certain overseas sellers undervalue declaration which they won’t be able to do… hopefully, to get through the postal system. Also, maybe, if the revenue is already collected for small value goods, it could mean that couriers may not need to make a customs entry for the buyer, so, maybe no handling charge?. Not sure if this will happen though. All fun and games to look forward to on the 1st of January depending on how things pan out between now and then.

Ketan at ARC

Edited By Ketan Swali on 13/10/2020 19:05:14

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

It’s soon time to order bits to arrive in the Christmas-period increased postal flow – less likely to get pulled for customs checks and charges (even though there may be more chance of getting lost in the system).

I ordered a 1mm allen key (in stock), from merseyside, on the 2nd of October. Delivery by second class post (notified of posting on the 5th). Not arrived although the estimated delivery was by 12/13th Oct. I just checked the order just now and the estimated delivery is now 24th Oct!!

If it does not arrive until then, and arrives in chinese packaging, the seller will most certainly get negative feedback.

Lying (pub) landlords I suspect!

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

For the record [and for what it’s worth] here is the ‘Impact assessment’ which preceded the ‘Policy paper’ that I linked yesterday: **LINK**

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hmrc-impact-assessment-for-the-vat-treatment-of-low-value-parcels/hmrc-impact-assessment-for-the-vat-treatment-of-low-value-parcels

MichaelG.

[Author]

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