[wikdwizard]

customs seized my parcel that was sent from usa what happens now and how long does it take? any help appreciated something to do with customs charges

[unique]

Originally Posted by wikdwizard

customs seized my parcel that was sent from usa what happens now and how long does it take? any help appreciated something to do with customs charges

customs don't normally seize packages. with the lack of info provided, i suggest you get in touch with the sender and ask them, as the package is probably in the hands of the carrier, they would normally get in touch with you to pay the duty and vat and any handling costs and then deliver it to you, or they may arrange to collect the fees on delivery. with the post office you might need to go to the sorting office to pay and collect

[madgames]

I had 25 PS2s in customs once when i used to run Madeira Games.
They were there for over a week which consequently lost me about £100 off the retail value of each machine.
Customs cna kind of keep them till there happy to release them.
Most important thing is if they ask you the value dont try and undervalue it to save VAT and import tax.
There not idiots, they know what these things are worth.
I got fined £5000 for undervaluing some step down transformers years ago.
They asked me twice the true value. I was young and stupid at the time and kept giving them an untrue value.
I paid the price

[Steven]

"Seized" I think actually means "holding it whilst they draw up your VAT an customs bill"

Sounds like you used USPS and then Royal Mail? I've had it all from a 2 day delay to a whole 3 week delay in me getting my parcels

Incidentally my headphone amp was undervalued by £100. But such a (imo) niche item is probably why I got away with a small bill

[geomuss]

quite a good story about customs:

My friend was in the states and bought loads of expensive cigars, sent them to himself through the post and consequently was caught by customs.

They phoned him and asked him for £560 to release the goods, i think his reply was along the lines of

so all was forgotten untill about 2 months later when he gets a know at the door, "delivery sir", its his cigars all of them, with a note inside from customs saying that they have been returned to sender due the vat and tax not being paid!

He had wrote the return senders address as his own, and dim wits returned them to him!

one victory for the common people

[wikdwizard]

Originally Posted by LFC_SL

"Seized" I think actually means "holding it whilst they draw up your VAT an customs bill"

Sounds like you used USPS and then Royal Mail? I've had it all from a 2 day delay to a whole 3 week delay in me getting my parcels

Incidentally my headphone amp was undervalued by £100. But such a (imo) niche item is probably why I got away with a small bill

it was usps and parcelforce i guess i have a bill coming my way then

[samjpullen]

I am not sure that the guys at customs are that smart.

My PS3 was put down as a $20 CAD Dollar value and they seemed to let it slide....

But then again i was charged for a dvd a few years ago because it worked out 4p over the customs limt

[mjn]

Originally Posted by geomuss

quite a good story about customs:

My friend was in the states and bought loads of expensive cigars, sent them to himself through the post and consequently was caught by customs.

They phoned him and asked him for £560 to release the goods, i think his reply was along the lines of

so all was forgotten untill about 2 months later when he gets a know at the door, "delivery sir", its his cigars all of them, with a note inside from customs saying that they have been returned to sender due the vat and tax not being paid!

He had wrote the return senders address as his own, and dim wits returned them to him!

one victory for the common people

Thats fantastic!

[PoochJD]

Wikdwizard,

You haven't mentioned one important thing - what it is you've ordered (or have been sent)!

There could be a whole host of other reasons why your parcel has been "seized", but it depends on what the item is. If you can tell us, then we may be able to offer more help to you.


Pooch

[Decadence]

The last time I had something shipped from the USA I arranged for my office over there to buy it, open the packaging and ship it on to me as a "repair" item...no tax to pay...

[wikdwizard]

mods please close thanks

[dognosh]

Originally Posted by PoochJD

Wikdwizard,

You haven't mentioned one important thing - what it is you've ordered (or have been sent)!
Pooch

we'll never know as it is going to be locked

[mjn]

Originally Posted by wikdwizard

mods please close thanks

Did you ever get your lifesize rubber doll out of customs?