Hobbyking - UK Customs

[Aidi]

Looking at getting some batteries for my Habu, not in stock in the DE warehouse. Anyone had batteries delivered from HongKong recently and been stung for UK Customs?

Thought i would ask before ordering or just wait until they are in stock in Germany.

Cheers
Aidi

[sacko]

Make sure the % declared is less than $10 on the last page when buying

[madgooner99]

This is the route my last ( and previouse orders went )

Never had custom problems from Hobbyking, im thinking its 'cos they arrive via Zurich..... or have i just been lucky?

Ray

Tue 10.04.2012 15:37 ITM_EXP_10 Mailed Swiss Post SINGAPORE
Tue 10.04.2012 15:37 ITM_EXP_20 Arrival at border point of origin country Swiss Post SINGAPORE
Tue 10.04.2012 18:52 ITM_EXP_65 Departed transit country Swiss Post SINGAPORE
Tue 10.04.2012 18:52 ITM_EXP_60 Departure from border point of origin country Swiss Post SINGAPORE
Tue 17.04.2012 15:15 ITM_EXP_20 Arrival at border point of origin country CH-8010 Zürich 1
Tue 17.04.2012 15:16 ITM_EXP_60 Departure from border point of origin country CH-8010 Zürich 1
Thu 19.04.2012 15:08 ITM_EXP_170 Arrival at border point of destination country GBLALA

[choppertastic]

Ordered loads of bits recently from HK and went with their default % on the customs form and I didn't get charged by UK customs

[ChrisB]

No problems from Hong Kong either from me.

[st200ol]

This is the route my last ( and previouse orders went )

Never had custom problems from Hobbyking, im thinking its 'cos they arrive via Zurich..... or have i just been lucky?

Ray

Tue 10.04.2012 15:37 ITM_EXP_10 Mailed Swiss Post SINGAPORE
Tue 10.04.2012 15:37 ITM_EXP_20 Arrival at border point of origin country Swiss Post SINGAPORE
Tue 10.04.2012 18:52 ITM_EXP_65 Departed transit country Swiss Post SINGAPORE
Tue 10.04.2012 18:52 ITM_EXP_60 Departure from border point of origin country Swiss Post SINGAPORE
Tue 17.04.2012 15:15 ITM_EXP_20 Arrival at border point of origin country CH-8010 Zürich 1
Tue 17.04.2012 15:16 ITM_EXP_60 Departure from border point of origin country CH-8010 Zürich 1
Thu 19.04.2012 15:08 ITM_EXP_170 Arrival at border point of destination country GBLALA

Ray, what was the declared customs value? You could be onto something, but I find it hard to believe UK Customs would miss the fact that the item originally came from Hong Kong. More likely you were just lucky.

[Aidi]

Thanks chaps. Ill give it a shot and see what happens. Should have ordered them from DE last week when in stock there!

[tourerjim]

I've ordered many times from Hobbyking & been stung few times but its only been on batteries so still works out cheaper even when its at zero % you can expect on about 140 quids worth to be about 21 quid customs plus parcel force to your door, i suppose because batteries are that much more weighty its easier to get caught out.

[madgooner99]

Ray, what was the declared customs value? You could be onto something, but I find it hard to believe UK Customs would miss the fact that the item originally came from Hong Kong. More likely you were just lucky.

The form on the box says

Customs declaration: gift
Description: parts
Value: $29.49 ( that's for two 6s 40c 2650 for my 6HV plus a few connectors and stuff)

Ray

[Lynx.1677]

There is no hard and fast rule that will avoid you being charged by customs, it's a case of luck of the draw. I've tried all the tricks and sometimes it worked sometimes it didn't.

You could try some opti packs, UK seller and great from all accounts.

[BenScoobert]

New Import Duty & VAT Calculation | DutyCalculator
calculate your potential duty here

or just set 10% like people mentioned, it is illegal to not pay the tax, I wonder who would be liable, the buyer or HK?

[Aidi]

.Appreciate the comments, and fully aware that its hit and miss if you get stung for customs.

I was really after finding out about recent orders - past 6-8 weeks or so. Wondering if there was any trend with C&E clamping down at various times of the year. I'm thinking not its just luck of the draw

Just looking at the Import Calculator. The value of the goods decides the amount of vat you pay - so what happens if you put the value way below the actual value? Say you say its $100 when in fact its $500.

Can import tax only be charged on the declared value, or can then up it if they dont think the declared value is accurate?

[Delarado]

It can go up if its obviously wrong and also thats the value used for insurance if its lost.

[Lynx.1677]

They can demand that you supply creditcard or paypal receipt and charge you correct VAT accordingly.

[Aidi]

Cheers, Having never heard of these extremes by C&E on here, and reading back over older posts the average charge seems to be in the region of £20 for customs and parcelforce. Even with that amount added on it still makes the purchase worth while. Ill see if i can get an answer from HK with regards to when the batteries will be back in stock in Germany before buying from HK.

Rgds
Aidi