HobbyKing UK Direct Channel gone?

[Si Goodchild]

Guys,

I was going to make a purchase from HK's International Warehouse today (UK out of stock) but it seems as though the UK direct channel is now not being offered. Anyone know if this is gone for good?

Si G

[jimmyhorns]

Uk warehouse is still showing for me.... you need to make sure that the product you select is from the uk warehouse, or you will not get the uk shipping option.

[bigbladelittleblade]

Just ordered some batteries from the uk and it all went through ok for me.

[Si Goodchild]

We're talking at cross-purposes. I'm referring to purchases from the International warehouse where the shipping option of 'UK Direct Channel' used to come up but now doesn't seem to. Anyone know what's happening?

[st200ol]

I used that shipping option a few months ago, last time I wanted to order a few things it wasn't available, I just checked its not available for me now either.

I think the option comes and goes depending on whether there is available space in a consignment being sent to the UK warehouse, but I may be wrong.

[Grumpy]

Yeah, i also noticed that the direct channel option had gone on international shipping. It always seemed pretty 'dodgy' to me as the stuff ordered that way came in under the Customs radar. I guess they had to close it down, same as they have stopped marking down value on customs declarations. I'd not expect to see it come back.

[st200ol]

This was never about HobbyKing dodging tax it was the customers themselves who should have declared the correct value of any goods received and they themselves breaking VAT rules.

All the other big, mainly Chinese suppliers, still declare modest values on the outside of the parcel, its the customers responsibility to contact whoever, to declare the true value. How many do so though? :-)

Yeah, i also noticed that the direct channel option had gone on international shipping. It always seemed pretty 'dodgy' to me as the stuff ordered that way came in under the Customs radar. I guess they had to close it down, same as they have stopped marking down value on customs declarations. I'd not expect to see it come back.

[Grumpy]

I didnt say HK were dodging tax themselves. What they were doing is making false customs declarations in order for their customers to 'dodge' tax. However what they were doing was still illegal even if they were not the ones to directly benefit. The legal responsibility to complete the CN22/23 customs declaration is with the sender who fills out and signs the form. It's also the sender not the recipient who is responsible for the accuracy of the form.

Under international postal agreements the sender must complete a customs declaration (form CN22 or CN23) which should be fixed to the package. The declaration includes a description of the goods, the value and whether they are gifts or commercial items. Under customs law, the sender is legally responsible for the information on the declaration

Sending mail outside the European Union | Royal Mail Group Ltd

Obviously though businesses in China cant really be held accountable but now that HK have a UK/European presence I guess they are easier targets, so these 'dodges' are getting closed down.