Does anybody use a US based web site to buy toys that ships to the UK?

[PoppyAnna]

I would like something a bit "different" from the norm this year, we always love the different toys we see in the US and what with the strong pound vs. dollar, if the shipping isn't too expensive it could work out quite a good idea anyway!

Thanks.

 

[emily1982]

im not sure about toys, but just thought i'd let you know that if u spend over about £18 ish you may get caught by customs, i buy craft stuff and get it sent, but im quite careful not to go over the limit, i think it's about $32.

 

[Goofyish]

On top of the VAT and Import duty, I've always found shipping costs from the US very expensive

 

[Graeme]

Have you tried the US Ebay? I've bought shirts, CDs etc and always had them sent very promptly, cheaply and well packed.

 

[SammieG]

i once bought a karaoke cd in the US.. and when I got home (it was a custom made one) basically the underside of the cd started to peel off.

I contacted the company who happily offered to replace the item for me and put another copy in the post. This arrived by UPS along with a £35 charge for customs/admin etc as they had put the price value down as $65 or something like that.

I was sooo cross and couldnt get the money back...
It would make me think twice about getting stuff sent over from the US in future.
I have also had stuff sent in the past (prior to this) where there is no customs charge.. I think its fairly random most of the time.

 

[Graeme]

UPS pay tax on everything they deliver and then add about a tenner in admin charges for doing it, regardless of whether they have to pay it or not. That's why I never buy stuff sent by UPS!!

 

[SammieG]

UPS pay tax on everything they deliver and then add about a tenner in admin charges for doing it, regardless of whether they have to pay it or not. That's why I never buy stuff sent by UPS!!

I have had other stuff delivered via UPS and not had this .... I contacted them and they told me that it was randomly checked...
or maybe i was just lucky the first time!?

 

[Frances999]

UPS pay tax on everything they deliver and then add about a tenner in admin charges for doing it, regardless of whether they have to pay it or not. That's why I never buy stuff sent by UPS!!

All of the major courier services do this (DHL/UPS/FedEx). They pay all of the necessary duties and VAT on behalf of the recipient, then bill you along with an admin charge.