10-11-2012, 07:13 AM
I've been stung before, but only for higher priced items where shipping cost and Royal Mail handing fee are a smaller proportion of the total charge. One of the problems in the UK is the Royal Mail flat rate fee, which for lower priced items is a high proportion of the cost. Annoyingly the VAT is charged on the shipping cost as well as the item value. They seem to be getting hotter on charging for lower price items too, it used to be the case that anything under about £40 was ignored.
Unfortunatly, as far as I can see, the only options are to either put up with the possibility of getting charged, or buy from within the EU. Prices may be cheaper in the US, but not after all the charges. Trouble is, most US stuff is harder to source in Europe.
I'm not sure what happens if you refuse to pay the VAT plus RM charge, what are customs going to do with an Exactrail boxcar?
Unfortunatly, as far as I can see, the only options are to either put up with the possibility of getting charged, or buy from within the EU. Prices may be cheaper in the US, but not after all the charges. Trouble is, most US stuff is harder to source in Europe.
I'm not sure what happens if you refuse to pay the VAT plus RM charge, what are customs going to do with an Exactrail boxcar?
Tim David