Importing to the UK - VAT & Delivery info

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Fattyramone
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Thu Mar 13, 2014 9:04 am

Here you go Dave , ive done it already for you , if you think its a bit long winded and rambling (remember im Welsh , and Taffs can never write one word when 17 is better!) then feel free to edit it as you wish :D

I think ive covered all based on UPS related shite.

Here goes ...


Dealing with UPS deliveries.

One of the easiest courier companies to deal with in regards correcting wrongly applied 20% import VAT rates right there and then on the doorstep.

When the driver arrives try and be polite and courteous to him , he's not the person to blame for the ineptness of the on going problems we experience and you need to get him on your side and willing to wait while you make a quick telephone call that shouldn't take more than 5 minutes , and can often be achieved in under 2 minutes.

STEP 1 .... Ring the telephone number on the top right hand side of the pink slip ..the number is 0845 161 0016 .....you will be offered a push button option , .....push button 2(querying VAT import rate)

STEP 2  ..... Explain to the operator that you have been charged the incorrect rate of 20% as you have bought artwork/limited edition print and have been charged 20% instead of the correct 5% and that you would like to be issued with a "H number ref code". 

She will ask you for your name and address and the"Waybill number" printed on the pink slip , this often begins with the letters and numbers "1Z1Y........" and is located just below your printed name and address on the pink slip

STEP 3 ...At this point the operator should know what your talking about and will request to speak to the driver , he will then write the unique "H number" on your pink slip and then charge you the correct rate accordingly.

AND THATS IT!


It really is that simple , minimum fuss and minimum effort involved on your behalf.

Just bear in mind that the drivers themselves often have never heard of the expression "H number" , its not something they normally have to deal with , but the phone operators do.

Also bear in mind  that if your dealing with "Shepard Fairey" related prints that Obey seems to have a business agreement with UPS that they charge his customers (you!) a reduced "handling charge" of £3.30 instead of the usual £12 they charge for paying UK customs upfront on your behalf , and on the odd occasions when the new figure is calculated the operator can accidentally over look this fact and can result in them reducing the VAT rate to 5% but then add on an incorrect £12 "handling charge" leaving you not that much better off if you don't correct them.....your handling charge should only be £3.30 NOT £12.

P.S. ....one last thing , UPS send you a tracking number by email when its entered their system , keep an eye open on this then when its entered in the UK you can try and pre-empt the invariable overcharging issue by ringing the telephone number (above) and asking what the VAT charge is going to be (your required waybill number will be in the email that was sent to you). If this seems wrong then you can explain over the phone that its wrong and they should be able to correct it even before it leaves for delivery ensuring minimum fuss for you and the delivery driver on arrival.

Please also note that until the package has entered into the UK and gone through customs that UPS cant do anything as they wont know yet what customs have said is owed on the item....
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Fattyramone
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Thu Mar 13, 2014 9:33 am

Dave , make it clear from the off that when dealing with private individuals writing the word "Poster" as apposed to "artwork/print" on the customs import slips is like asking them to declare them as "kiddie porn mags" ....basicaly your fecked either way.
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suchanoo
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Fri Mar 14, 2014 10:23 am

I just got stung £14.22 for a tube that was valued on the customs form at $30 with $26 shipping. I was right on the fcukin limit for value. VAT charge on something that low is a first for me.

£6.22 VAT and £8.00 'handling'.

I won't argue it, as the contents were actually worth $300, but the principle still makes me angry :)
UK Member? Reclaim some VAT... http://forum.expressobeans.com/viewtopi ... =8&t=85994
shut your mouth and open your mind
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hsp123
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Fri Mar 14, 2014 11:39 am

suchanoo wrote:I just got stung £14.22 for a tube that was valued on the customs form at $30 with $26 shipping. I was right on the fcukin limit for value. VAT charge on something that low is a first for me.

£6.22 VAT and £8.00 'handling'.

I won't argue it, as the contents were actually worth $300, but the principle still makes me angry :)
Very close call! Must be clamping down on the tubes!

I tried to call customs but just couldn't get through in the end I gave up and sent off an e-mail at the stage of awaiting customs clearance....

Currently its sitting at 'Revised charges to be paid'. Im hoping it lands in my local depot today so I can verify the charge and send payment over the phone.

Wost case for me is I think im going to have to cough up the customs charge and then get it refunded back with BOR286.

Either way I don't mind the wait of a few months if it gets refunded.
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LeeKaye
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Wed Mar 19, 2014 4:51 am

I started reading at the top, but given there are so many pages, thought I better ask. All the information is for limited prints. I just spent money on an original piece of art. What customs code/description should I ask the seller to use? I assume (?) that it should be 5% too?

Cheers
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Fattyramone
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Wed Mar 19, 2014 4:58 am

Yeah , limited edtion prints , original artwork 5%

mass produced posters 20%
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LeeKaye
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Wed Mar 19, 2014 5:04 am

Fattyramone wrote:Yeah , limited edtion prints , original artwork 5%

mass produced posters 20%

Thanks, same code as well then?
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Fattyramone
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Wed Mar 19, 2014 5:04 am

LeeKaye wrote:
Fattyramone wrote:Yeah , limited edtion prints , original artwork 5%

mass produced posters 20%

Thanks, same code as well then?
Yep


9702 00 00
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Fattyramone
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Wed Mar 19, 2014 5:06 am

In in reality you probabbly WILL be stung for 20% hense the pages on here for correcting it when it is charged wrong.

Whos delivering it usps or ups or other?
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LeeKaye
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Wed Mar 19, 2014 5:09 am

Fattyramone wrote:In in reality you probabbly WILL be stung for 20% hense the pages on here for correcting it when it is charged wrong.

Whos delivering it usps or ups or other?

Cheers. For the first time ever, I will claim back. :) Don't know who is sending yet, I will ask when they've posted it. Will help me prepare if I read all the details in here.
simonldt
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Fri Mar 21, 2014 4:30 pm

suchanoo wrote:I just got stung £14.22 for a tube that was valued on the customs form at $30 with $26 shipping. I was right on the fcukin limit for value. VAT charge on something that low is a first for me.

£6.22 VAT and £8.00 'handling'.

I won't argue it, as the contents were actually worth $300, but the principle still makes me angry :)
$30 is over the limit (which is £15, or approx $24 at the current exchange rate).
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1nkling
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Sat Mar 22, 2014 5:34 am

simonldt wrote: $30 is over the limit (which is £15, or approx $24 at the current exchange rate).
Unless its marked as a gift then its a bit higher I believe.
My up to date trades and ISOs.
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dearmrecho
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Sat Mar 22, 2014 5:45 am

Gift limit is £36… checked this out the other day.
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hsp123
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Mon Mar 24, 2014 7:10 am

Just a quick update on my tube, I finally managed to go collect it and had to pay the customs charge.

Unfortunately the tube was marked as poster and incurred 20% fee of the total item. :(

I have written a letter and supplied evidence using the BOR286 form and sent it to Border Force to see if I can get a refund.

In the letter I explained that the item was a real art piece in limited nature hand drawn which it is and not 'mass produced' although I didn't use that term and now wish I did!

Hopefully with the supplied documents (total cost, illustrator website) they may evaluate the customs charge which is not really Border Force's problem as it was declared wrongly by accident and the importer, myself is responsible for this.

I will update once I hear back from them.

:)
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1nkling
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Mon Mar 24, 2014 7:13 am

Good luck. Generally if it says 'poster' anywhere though you're doomed.
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