Any advice getting a small part sent from the US

[scotshaggis]

Hey folks, Before I conclude a transaction any tips on this would be appreciated. It's for me to get a hard to come by 90's Merc air mass sensor. Costing me about $600 inc postage.

Seller is essentially private but has a good track record on ebay where he used to sell parts. He's very well known on a forum (and administrator) and I'm confident he's trustworthy. He's agreed we use PayPal "goods and services". He wants to just use the US Postal Service.

He reckoned it'll take 1-2 weeks even although the service is supposedly 4-5 days.

He seems willing to mark the parcel at less value to save me VAT/any duties. I guess this will limit his insurance but that's his look out. Should I still be safe with my PayPal cover or is marking it lower jeopardising me?

I am off on a week's holiday in two weeks for 8 days so am thinking of delivery to a retired friend. Should I perhaps not do this incase of issues arising or shouldn't it affect matters much?

Lastly, is there likely to be much in the way of customs delays or is it quite likely I'll see the part a couple of weeks later ok?

There are one or two MAF's in Germany but not cheap and I feel I can trust this seller that he's sending me a properly tested item.

Thanks

[I am alright Jack]

I've had lots of bits sent from the US over the years and the only problems I've ever had is when things get here, clear customs and get into the hands of Evri or similar. Never had a problem with US mail or customs.

Times vary depending on the usual things like location and which service the seller uses but usually about two weeks.

Customs have never been a problem and I've found that some things don't get charged anything for import or vat, just luck of the draw.

The only problem you may get is using your retired friend's address because the card holder's address will be different from the delivery address, he may even receive the import and vat bill if there is one. Personally I'd wait until I got back from holiday.

[scotshaggis]

Thanks that’s good to know. Might it go into the hands of Evri or something rather than Royal Mail/Parcel Force if he’s using the US Postal Service?

[R4EVS]

scotshaggis said:

Thanks that s good to know. Might it go into the hands of Evri or something rather than Royal Mail/Parcel Force if he s using the US Postal Service?

It used to be that USPS stuff would go to Royal Mail or Parcelforce exclusively, but I am not entirely sure now that that is a given since the IPO and recent change of ownership of Royal Mail.

[steveo3002]

what about asking him to list it randomly on ebay for £15 , tick the global shipping and then ebay takes care of collecting the fees and paperwork , low price should not attract any fee's

Edited by steveo3002 on Friday 13th February 12:59

[Sporky]

scotshaggis said:

He seems willing to mark the parcel at less value to save me VAT/any duties. I guess this will limit his insurance but that's his look out. Should I still be safe with my PayPal cover or is marking it lower jeopardising me?

It's a Federal offence for him, and I believe a criminal offence for you. It'll also mean you can't claim the full value if anything goes wrong.

I would not do this. Chances of getting caught may not be very high, but the severity if you are definitely could be.

[scotshaggis]

steveo3002 said:

what about asking him to list it randomly on ebay for £15 , tick the global shipping and then ebay takes care of collecting the fees and paperwork , low price should attract any fee's

I did wonder about this. Thanks.

Yes, I see regarding inserting a lower value..

Thanks folks

[I am alright Jack]

scotshaggis said:

steveo3002 said:

what about asking him to list it randomly on ebay for £15 , tick the global shipping and then ebay takes care of collecting the fees and paperwork , low price should attract any fee's

I did wonder about this. Thanks.

Yes, I see regarding inserting a lower value..

Thanks folks

It may be an easier way of doing it but your item will almost definitely end up in the hands of Evri.

Personally I don't like Ebay and have stopped using them unless I don't have a choice. I don't know how it's done now but going back a bit when they started the global shipping program you were charged import + vat when you purchased an item but they were charging on all items even the ones that didn't qualify. Might be worth checking to see how it's done now.

[richs2891]

Parcel forwarding service ? Have a search for them on your favorite search engine
Never used them before but seem quite simple.
Curious to the name of the ebay seller as after some odd 90's Merc parts myself