Parcel delivery from USA-How long for customs clearance?
Discussion
I bought some car parts from the USA last week, it took 2 days to get from near Salt Lake City to Heathrow, then onto a hub near Heathrow. Since last Sunday it's been, according to the tracking note, awaiting customs clearance. It's with Parcel Force and they say I would probably have to pay duty and VAT before they deliver. However, I've had no notification of how much to pay and to whom. Admittedly we've had the Easter break but how long can I expect to wait before I hear anything?
chevy55 said:
It's with Parcel Force and they say I would probably have to pay duty and VAT before they deliver.
I believe VAT is charged on everything, including the duty, and Parcel Force will also charge you their own Clearance Fee,"We have two levels of clearance fee for import parcels. There is a charge of £13.50 for express parcels imported with GLS or through the EMS channel from other Posts networks and also for high value standard parcels (valued at over €1000). For all other import parcels, an £8 charge will apply.
"We will also make a charge if we have to hold your parcel whilst Customs process it, so we would recommend that you respond promptly to any Customs queries to avoid these charges. We will not levy a fee for the first 10 days, after 10 days however, storage fees will be charged. For more than 10 and up to 20 working days, - £5.50 per parcel. For each subsequent working day over 20 working days - £1.35 per parcel. All parcels valued at over £2,000 are placed in secure storage until completion of Customs formalities (HMRC will be reducing this to £750 from May 1st 2016).
"For more information about these fees, please contact our Customer Service Team on 03448 004466
When I have had parcels in the past from Parcelforce I have had to wait for their letter with the fees in then pay it and only then did they release the parcel. It was a major hassle.
Fedex on the other hand let me prepay the fees (since it's a published tariff ... can't remember the link now but it'll be on gov.uk somewhere) and I had my parcel within a couple of days.
Worth remembering for future orders!
Fedex on the other hand let me prepay the fees (since it's a published tariff ... can't remember the link now but it'll be on gov.uk somewhere) and I had my parcel within a couple of days.
Worth remembering for future orders!
chevy55 said:
Thanks for the replies, I was wondering how long I'd be waiting for the letter asking for the fees, so allowing for Tuesday as the first possible working day, will it be one of those letters that go to a central mailing company and then gets delayed by anything up to two weeks?
Mine was several years ago so could have changed but it came a day or two after the parcel would have arrived I am sure.I'd ring them on Monday
I phoned Parcelforce this morning and after going through less than four options I got a human. Very nice helpful lady told me it's still awaiting customs assessment, once it's cleared it gets sent to
My local depot and waits for customs payment. She said just keep checking the tracking and phone and pay when it's clear
My local depot and waits for customs payment. She said just keep checking the tracking and phone and pay when it's clear
We import and export regularly through our 2nd business. Clearing UK Customs takes ages. We have a supplier we use regularly in California. Our latest shipment left California on the 22nd of last month, and was in the UK 2 days later. We are still waiting for the letter detailing the clearance charges. This is not atypical. As with many government bodies - performance is a swearword and they have no incentive to be time efficient. It doesn't affect them. They get paid regardless.
jamieduff1981 said:
We import and export regularly through our 2nd business. Clearing UK Customs takes ages. We have a supplier we use regularly in California. Our latest shipment left California on the 22nd of last month, and was in the UK 2 days later. We are still waiting for the letter detailing the clearance charges. This is not atypical. As with many government bodies - performance is a swearword and they have no incentive to be time efficient. It doesn't affect them. They get paid regardless.
Depends how big / regular your shipments are we could help you with shipping / clearance. Once in Heathrow is takes less than 24h to customs clear a shipment.RickRolled said:
Depends how big / regular your shipments are we could help you with shipping / clearance. Once in Heathrow is takes less than 24h to customs clear a shipment.
Indeed, it's not customs holding it up! Depending on your Route 6 settings it can take from 10/15 minutes upwards to clear an entry. I believe 10 is the least possible setting.Depends on the courier used as to how it works. If it is sent by the US Postal Service to the UK it will be handled by Parcel Force here, you can either wait for the letter or as the operator told you keep checking the shipping tracker and pay online, it will be duties owed plus a £10 "admin" fee.
FedEx are usually door to door and very efficient, you will usually get a bill a week or so later to pay duties owed. Or you can do it online.
UPS are usually very good, I ordered some tools from the US (car specific) last Friday at 19:05. They were with me this morning at 10:30! UPS will normally ask for cash or cheque on delivery. I think you can pay online but I can't find it on their website, they do e-mail you with the amount owed though so you can pre-write a cheque.
DHL, never had an issue either, pay online with them before delivery usually.
If the option is there when I order stuff from the US I always try and use i-parcel for shipping because you get the option of pre-paying the duties and VAT (thus avoiding the surcharge for "admin"), I have never had a problem with them either.
FedEx are usually door to door and very efficient, you will usually get a bill a week or so later to pay duties owed. Or you can do it online.
UPS are usually very good, I ordered some tools from the US (car specific) last Friday at 19:05. They were with me this morning at 10:30! UPS will normally ask for cash or cheque on delivery. I think you can pay online but I can't find it on their website, they do e-mail you with the amount owed though so you can pre-write a cheque.
DHL, never had an issue either, pay online with them before delivery usually.
If the option is there when I order stuff from the US I always try and use i-parcel for shipping because you get the option of pre-paying the duties and VAT (thus avoiding the surcharge for "admin"), I have never had a problem with them either.
Interesting reading on the shipping options, this is my first purchase from a US company and I didn't really get any option on courier. One company I spoke to last year did mention UPS and pre-paid taxes so I'll go that route if I ever use them.
Thanks for all the replies and I'll keep checking the tracking although the United States Postal Service still sends me updates even though the stuff is in the UK so maybe they'll email me when it clears customs.
Thanks for all the replies and I'll keep checking the tracking although the United States Postal Service still sends me updates even though the stuff is in the UK so maybe they'll email me when it clears customs.
chevy55 said:
Interesting reading on the shipping options, this is my first purchase from a US company and I didn't really get any option on courier. One company I spoke to last year did mention UPS and pre-paid taxes so I'll go that route if I ever use them.
Thanks for all the replies and I'll keep checking the tracking although the United States Postal Service still sends me updates even though the stuff is in the UK so maybe they'll email me when it clears customs.
Does the USPS shipping number not work on the Parcel Force international shipping bit? it always has done in the past.Thanks for all the replies and I'll keep checking the tracking although the United States Postal Service still sends me updates even though the stuff is in the UK so maybe they'll email me when it clears customs.
Daston said:
My Alternator sat in customs for 3 weeks until parcel force picked it up and then posted me an invoice for the tax.
Just what I don't need to hear. It's gone through customs last night so I'm now waiting the bill, I phoned today and I was told as soon as it shows as moving on the tracking system to a delivery depot, I can phone and pay the bill and it'll then be delivered. I wont hold my breath.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff