Import duty, tax etc

[RED_Martin]

Hello,

Went to buy from Play.com for the first time today. Hoped to get a hold of Dark Angel series 1 (R1).

I had (perhaps naively) thought that there would be no shipping charges attached. Possibly due to every item listing the price as £37.99 DELIVERED as with the D.A. set

So, what I'd like to know is, based on previous experiences, how much extra am I likely to have to pay?

Thank you.

When you order a R1 boxset >£18 this pops up.

"The product you have selected will be shipped from North America and may be subject to import duties and taxes once it reaches your country. These and any additional charges must be borne by you. If you agree to pay these additional charges should they be levied click I AGREE below. If you do not wish to order this product click I DISAGREE below."

I got done for the LOTR 4 discer from Play a while ago, total price £36 (so about £8 surcharge on £26)

[LV426]

Here is how it is calculated:

Take the CIF value of the package (CIF = Cost+Insurance+Freight - in other wods the invoice total).

If in a foreign currency, convert to GBPs using the current nominal rate.

Multiply the CIF value in GBP by 5 percent (I'm not sure this is exactly correct, but it's thereabouts) to get DUTY.

Calculate VAT as 17.5% of the total CIF value + DUTY.

Add DUTY to VAT and you have your charge.

The shipper will also add a handling fee for collecting this money from you. Varies by shipper. IIRC, the Post Office charge GBP2.00.

Try buying it from dvdboxoffice.com or dvdsoon.com (you'll need a credit card) as they don't put the price on the packaging, so you shouldn't get hit by taxes/import duty etc.

[RED_Martin]

This all seems a bit crap (on the part of the retailers).

Went for play cuz they were the cheapest. Looks like we could end up paying the same price that the local HMV is charging!

Of course, we wouldn't get all the extras but.....

Hmmm. Are there any UK companies that stock R1 on-site? That'd have to be cheaper in the long run. Theres a place in Leeds but they don't have a HUGE selection.

Any ideas?

[LV426]

www.dvdslimited.com

Not cheap, as you say. New R1 title typical price GBP19.99+GBP1.00 shipping. Very fast (next day, 2 weeks before release date) and customer service second to none.

Sourced from the US therefore no bilingual covers.

[Simon6776]

Try www.futureent.com - again not the cheapest, about the same prices as Play, but they ship from the UK.

[RED_Martin]

Has anyone dealt with futureent.com?

They are cheaper than Play for the Dark Angel box set! Although they don't mention any extras. I assume they just cant be bothered!!

[1875]

Mulholland Dr. arrived the day after ordering from futurent

[Simon6776]

Despite the dog's breakfast of a website, FutureEnt are very good. Fast delivery (usually within 2 days), and reasonable prices. Probably one of the best UK suppliers of R1, although you may get Canadian versions with bi-lingual covers.

[Simon6776]

Quick question - can anyone confirm if we have to pay Import Tax to import into the UK from Australia?

Thanks!

[Geezer]

Originally posted by Simon6776
Quick question - can anyone confirm if we have to pay Import Tax to import into the UK from Australia?

Thanks!

Yes you will if it breaks the £18 limit

[Geezer]

Originally posted by RED_Martin
Has anyone dealt with futureent.com?

Yes stopped using them when they stopped sending out replacements for dvds that didnt turn up

[Simon6776]

OK, thanks Geezer. Just been looking for the cheapest place to get the Indy Box Set (other than R2), also avoiding the probable dual language packaging.

[Geezer]

Originally posted by Simon6776
OK, thanks Geezer. Just been looking for the cheapest place to get the Indy Box Set (other than R2), also avoiding the probable dual language packaging.

I use http://www.dvdpricecheck.co.uk/ to check all the prices, so have a look there then check whih are customs friendly