uk customs

Okay - put in an order from HK which was posted on the tenth and according to the delivery status arrived in the uk, was processed yesterday and is now pending Customs inspection.
I did the standard "declare 30% value" thing on the website (not ordered from HK before) and just wondered if anyone knows is this a standard thing to see on the tracking status? or does it mean my parcel has been singled out for closer inspection for looking dodgy?
Dont think the parcel will be too big, just a couple of servos, a couple of small hand tools and a heli starter shaft! - contents with postage cost about $118 but only declared about a third of that - Wonder if I did the right thing - my little bottom is starting to twitch a bit now!
Cheers for your help as always!

It's a standard thing if Parcel force are delivering, they will charge you a handling fee +VAT, I would expect to pay in the region of £25 if Parcelforce get their hands on it, for future you need to select EMS as this is usually delivered by Royal Mail & tend to just deliver it, without charge.

Cheers for the come back Rich - that will be my pocket money blown for this week then!

Your only allowed goods to the value of £18 ($29 approx) and strickly speaking this should include the cost of shipping(not often considered). So, dont go over a declared value of $28 unless it is a large and obviously more expensive parcel. Then you have to decide how much to declare and if its worth it to pay up.
Just had a small delivery from HK of $50'ish, declared $28'ish inc shipping. It came by airmail and took 10 days from placing order to delivery. HK is generally OK but the USA - avoid unless you really need/want the item, you stand a good chance of getting caught.

Rich wrote:It's a standard thing if Parcel force are delivering, they will charge you a handling fee +VAT, I would expect to pay in the region of £25 if Parcelforce get their hands on it, for future you need to select EMS as this is usually delivered by Royal Mail & tend to just deliver it, without charge.

What he said.

Danny.

Just checked my customs invoice - I declared $24.83 in goods, but there was $10.65 shipping to add on. According to the tracking service, the parcel is still "awaiting customs inspection!" so I suppose I will just have to wait and see what happens!

they will be round this Friday

I had some stuff delivered last week from Hong Kong, it took around 3 weeks in all and those nice men at the customs opened it but I wasn't charged anything. It's just the luck of the draw. I've had around 50 parcels now from Hong Kong and only charged once - £18 for an engine.

Status has now changed to "in transit" - I might have got lucky this time!


Dont want to count my chickens though - I suppose "in transit" could also mean "in transit" to a parcelforce depot awaiting payment and collecting!

I've had about 10 small parcels from HK all sent via Royal Mail.HK in their Customs Declaration always stated about a third of price paid Never had to pay extra.Dont worry Ben though I would ask for Walton and not Strangeways

It could mean that it's sitting in the back of a Ford Transit somewhere!!!

I'll have to go one better I've had 100's of large parcels from HK & never been charged, did I tell you I'm getting a good looking UAV

gay!

So what

lol

I know you have all been desperately worried about me and my impending customs charges - but fear not! Parcel arrived Friday safe and sound!

I'm worried for you now, whatis the penalty for tax evasion these days?

Andy

Andy Sayle wrote:I'm worried for you now, whatis the penalty for tax evasion these days?

Andy

3 years inside and all the sex you can handle!

Inside what?A brothel?
I'll meet you there.

Danny.