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Exorbitant freight charges

Submitted by michael_sullivan on Fri, 20/04/2012
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I know that freight charges from the UK to the US are high, typically about 2 times the cost as from the US to the UK.

Here is my current situation: The cylinder head for my Model 50 is finished at Mike Pemberton's and he is quoting me something like GBP185.00 to ship it back to me, plus some VAT at 20% plus a GBP35.00 charge for "customs charges".

These are the charges that he is being quoted as follows:

the £185 is the shipping cost and that is subject to VAT at 20%. Then any item that I ship to a none EU country has a separate charge of £35 for customs paperwork, this is completely out of my control.The company that I use is XDP.Anyone have knowledge of these type of charges? I do not believe that there are any VAT charges applicable on export activity????And what is with the GBP35.00 for customs paperwork? Is this something that I can do myself and avoid this charge?Please understand that I do NOT believe that Mike is gouging me on this. It is just what this XDP company is quoting him.Please help if you can.ThanksMike Sullivan

Submitted by simon_amos on Fri, 20/04/2012

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Ive just looked at prices for UPS and TNT, airmail and free collection.

For a package 30cm cube and weighing 20Kg, their pricedfrom £54 to £120 inc insurancefor£1000.

Good luck

chris r

Submitted by michael_sullivan on Sat, 21/04/2012

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After I complained about the costs, Mike had the shipping company he is using take another look at the charges. They have now stated that they made a mistake originally and are now quoting a figure of GBP109.60.

I could live with that but they are also charging the following:

GBP21.92 VAT and GBP35.00 for customs charge?

It would seem that the VAT is added because the freight charges are being incurred in the UK even though the item is being exported.

I do not yet understand the GBP35.00 charge for "customs" The shipping company apparently is charging Mike this amount to prepare the commercial invoices.

I am checking into this whole thing and will let you know what I find out.

Thanks

Mike

Submitted by anthony_curzon on Sat, 21/04/2012

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To pay VAT on parts that you own and being returned to where they were sent from is just plain stupid. I would check that asyou only pay import duty or customs charges when they are delivered, so the above set up is just plain bizzare. I have been sending parts to friends in America since the early 1980's and i have never ever had to pay any of the above charges. I suspect any one reading the above will not be sending any thing to England for repair or modifications. So if they sort of made a mistake, would that have given you a refund if they they had made a mistake. This i very much doubt that would have happenedthat they would have actually admited it. We got your money, we have made a mistake but we are going to tell any one.

Submitted by karl_higgs on Sun, 22/04/2012

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Hello Michael,

I have sent two cylinder heads to the USA in the past month (Cast iron 16h/ ES2)the last head sent cost £57.10 (no vat added) sent via Fedex (I also use UPS). Commercial invoices are printed once the collection/delivery order has been confirmed and payment sent, three invoice copies are required and cost pennies to print out,as an example a complete Big4 engine sent to Indonesia cost in the region of £150. Maybe you would be wise to ask Mike for the package weight and dimensions and then instruct the courier from your end, as already mentioned try Interparcel or Parcel2go etc.

BestRegards,Karl.

 


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