UK customs

[rob20uk]

I have a jacket which I bought from the US and I’m getting to sent to the UK. My question is if it’s a private sale from one member of the public to another and we wish to put something down as a gift with a figure is that figure taken as the value by someone like UK customs or do they basically just say nope that’s not what it’s worth it’s worth. I’m just trying to work out how does it work through customs when you put something down as a gift with a value attached to it? You know is the value something that they decide or you decide.

 

[Pilot]

My advice and by experience… use the fastest possible express courier service ( 24H service )..
UK customs will have no time for much bureaucracy and will go by your “ declared value” and no big cross-checking etc…since no time.
Dont use any regular postage postal whatsoever conventional service… NO USPS ….
Express courier only.
It will cost you, but you save it on taxes and import duties.. I did it several times also recently with jackets ( shipped) from Japan and Germany…to UK.

 

[rob20uk]

I’ll factor that advice in next time. This time it was sent via UPS.

 

[John Lever]

Make sure the item has the correct commodity code, Used Clothing does not attract VAT.

 

[rob20uk]

It should have been put down as a “used jacket”

 

[John Lever]

Used absolutely

 

[Pilot]

Please keep us posted.. I just hope it was UPS and not USPS…crossing fingers for you.

 

[John Lever]

UPS are the f###ers who wanted to take me to court over a mistake they had made

 

[rob20uk]

UPS are the f###ers who wanted to take me to court over a mistake they had made

I think I remember reading that thread. It is 100% UPS. It’s UPS Worldwide Expedited.

 

[John Lever]

They might call to ask if you accept the goods. Ask what the charges are before you accept.

 

[Micawber]

Keep us posted…

 

[Blackboxr1200S]

My advice and by experience… use the fastest possible express courier service ( 24H service )..
UK customs will have no time for much bureaucracy and will go by your “ declared value” and no big cross-checking etc…since no time.
Dont use any regular postage postal whatsoever conventional service… NO USPS ….
Express courier only.
It will cost you, but you save it on taxes and import duties.. I did it several times also recently with jackets ( shipped) from Japan and Germany…to UK.

I do the same thing... Use Stackry in US, bring down value.
Put description as old jacket, old medal or whatever I buy. Select DHL express. Is pretty expensive, but worth the money.
Latest G-1 got to Belgium in 2 days from NY
Customs clearance just happens while "en route", no hassle.

 

[Pilot]

I do the same thing... Use Stackry in US, bring down value.
Put description as old jacket, old medal or whatever I buy. Select DHL express. Is pretty expensive, but worth the money.
Latest G-1 got to Belgium in 2 days from NY
Customs clearance just happens while "en route", no hassle.

Agree…I only use DHL Express or FEDEX…

 

[Pilot]

I think I remember reading that thread. It is 100% UPS. It’s UPS Worldwide Expedited.

I shipped a B-3 and an Irvin to two different GB VLJ members.. via UPS …no issue.

 

[rob20uk]

Keep us posted…

Will do. It looks like it is in customs at Stansted. I’ll let you all know if if it takes ages or runs into any issues.

 

[petermack09]

I do the same thing... Use Stackry in US, bring down value.
Put description as old jacket, old medal or whatever I buy. Select DHL express. Is pretty expensive, but worth the money.
Latest G-1 got to Belgium in 2 days from NY
Customs clearance just happens while "en route", no hassle.

And don't ship to an Embassy....especially in Belgium.

 

[coolhandluke]

UPS are the f###ers who wanted to take me to court over a mistake they had made

Aside from their ridiculously slow shipping times, I hadn't had any huge issues with UPS until my ELC D-1 was just received from them.

Looks like a sorting machine ate the box. They pulled the jacket out of the hole torn in the side, removed the jacket from the garment bag (collar was not folded inside of the jacket as HPA had packed it), returned the jacket to the garment bag, and shoved it back thorough the hole without resealing the package. The collar took the brunt of it as it was in an end of the garment bag that was wadded into a ball. Absolute winners...

I'm hoping to Charles can at least get my shipping costs back. He offered to submit a damage claim, but I couldn't do so in good conscience. I don't think there was likely any permanent damage done. At least any that warranted a free jacket.

 

[B-Man2]

Aside from their ridiculously slow shipping times, I hadn't had any huge issues with UPS until my ELC D-1 was just received from them.

View attachment 180451

View attachment 180453

Looks like a sorting machine ate the box. They pulled the jacket out of the hole torn in the side, removed the jacket from the garment bag (collar was not folded inside of the jacket as HPA had packed it), returned the jacket to the garment bag, and shoved it back thorough the hole without resealing the package. The collar took the brunt of it as it was in an end of the garment bag that was wadded into a ball. Absolute winners...

I'm hoping to Charles can at least get my shipping costs back. He offered to submit a damage claim, but I couldn't do so in good conscience. I don't think there was likely any permanent damage done. At least any that warranted a free jacket.

The USPS has gone completely off the cliff.
One of the things that pisses me off is paying for 3 day priority mail delivery and then having your package arrive late, sometimes by as many as 7 days. This happens a lot and the post office NEVER .. refunds the additional cost you pay for 3 day delivery service.

 

[CBI]

kinda off topic but as of January USPS had degraded its services to save costs. Ship times are slower, prices have gone up. Priority had a 93% on time target the past few years, its now 80%. Rural areas will feel it the most. I already notice a significant difference with packages.

 

[B-Man2]

kinda off topic but as of January USPS had degraded its services to save costs. Ship times are slower, prices have gone up. Priority had a 93% on time target the past few years, it’s now 80%. Rural areas will feel it the most. I already notice a significant difference with packages.

So with these new guidelines why ship priority mail? Pay just a bit more and ship UPS with 3 days delivery .