[PinkLizzie]

I am shocked. I have just received a letter from UPS demanding payment for customs charges of £18.25
on an order from Ice Yarns that I received the second week in May.

It says
"All Uk imports with a shipment value of £15.00 or greater can be subject to import duties and taxes."

My order came to £15.52.

Postage is included when they estimate taxes - in this case $18.69 - about £14.50.

I now have to pay Disbursement fee of £11.25 and VAT of £7 totalling £18.25

The letter is dated 26 May 2017. My order date was 4th May.

Not a scam as I phoned UPS. The very helpful operator/colleague/associate/whatever told me UPS are given an exchange rate at the begining of each month by UK Customs which may not be the same as the exchange rate quoted on the Ice Yarns website. She suggested if I approach £15 again that I phone UPS to ask if there will be customs charges. (local rate phone number)

Hey ho. That will curb my temptation to buy!

WATCH OUT UK BUYERS

 

[BARBIE-s]

What a bummer!

 

[tonyastewart]

this is why everyone is choosing dhl they are just abit higher but they don't do this ups does this in the usa too it's been posted on here in the last few months I won't use ups and when some way or other it was switched I promptly told them switch it back to dhl or cancel my order they did switch it back and I have ordered a total of twice now and will do it again but I won't use any delivery service but dhl!

 

[trish2222]

I got an order on 22nd May so I won't be surprised if I get a letter. I noticed they were cheaper than DHL for the first time so I used them. I'll go back to DHL next time whatever happens. Dammit.

 

[SAMkewel]

I am shocked. I have just received a letter from UPS demanding payment for customs charges of £18.25
on an order from Ice Yarns that I received the second week in May.

It says
"All Uk imports with a shipment value of £15.00 or greater can be subject to import duties and taxes."

My order came to £15.52.

Postage is included when they estimate taxes - in this case $18.69 - about £14.50.

I now have to pay Disbursement fee of £11.25 and VAT of £7 totalling £18.25

The letter is dated 26 May 2017. My order date was 4th May.

Not a scam as I phoned UPS. The very helpful operator/colleague/associate/whatever told me UPS are given an exchange rate at the begining of each month by UK Customs which may not be the same as the exchange rate quoted on the Ice Yarns website. She suggested if I approach £15 again that I phone UPS to ask if there will be customs charges. (local rate phone number)

Hey ho. That will curb my temptation to buy!

WATCH OUT UK BUYERS

I do business with Ice Yarn all the time, but I do not use UPS because they add these charges here in the US, too. DHL is the only courier service that never does. We need to read the small print and make our choices carefully.

 

[SAMkewel]

I got an order on 22nd May so I won't be surprised if I get a letter. I noticed they were cheaper than DHL for the first time so I used them. I'll go back to DHL next time whatever happens. Dammit.

Now you know why they appear cheaper than DHL..... I wonder what happens if you refuse to pay the charges based on having received no prior notice of them.

 

[jinx]

Thanks, that is good to know.

this is why everyone is choosing dhl they are just abit higher but they don't do this ups does this in the usa too it's been posted on here in the last few months I won't use ups and when some way or other it was switched I promptly told them switch it back to dhl or cancel my order they did switch it back and I have ordered a total of twice now and will do it again but I won't use any delivery service but dhl!

 

[Spindrift]

I would ask for the amount they calculated the VAT on as I think VAT under £7.00 is not claimed....the figure of £7.00 exactly seems a little too convenient to me. Also it might be worth checking if yarn for making into clothing for children is exempt. I certainly wouldn't take the couriers word, I would get all the info I could and then check with HMRC.

 

[trish2222]

Now you know why they appear cheaper than DHL..... I wonder what happens if you refuse to pay the charges based on having received no prior notice of them.

It's worth a go. I'm up for an argy bargy with them. Probably won't do any good but it will make me feel better for trying. I'm assuming I'll get a charge as it seems so widespread.

 

[trish2222]

I would ask for the amount they calculated the VAT on as I think VAT under £7.00 is not claimed....the figure of £7.00 exactly seems a little too convenient to me. Also it might be worth checking if yarn for making into clothing for children is exempt. I certainly wouldn't take the couriers word, I would get all the info I could and then check with HMRC.

Interesting...

 

[aprilla]

I don't understand this. If UPS are imposing 'custom charges' surely all delivery companies would need to do same.

 

[Mary Cardiff]

I had to pay Import duty when I bought an all in one loom from the usa,It wasnt delivered till I paid,

 

[trish2222]

I don't understand this. If UPS are imposing 'custom charges' surely all delivery companies would need to do same.

and you'd think it would be a charge at the door before handing the parcel over. My son had a parcel from America which the P.O. wouldn't deliver before the customs charge was paid.

 

[BobzMum]

That's bad.
I knew there was some duty on imports but I always thought we had a higher amount before duty.
The post office now leave a card saying there's a charge to be paid, either online or at the collection office.
The postmen/women do not accept payment at the door any more.

 

[CaroleD53]

and you'd think it would be a charge at the door before handing the parcel over. My son had a parcel from America which the P.O. wouldn't deliver before the customs charge was paid.

I'd have thought this too. I've also had to pay the postman at the door for son's stuff! I'm surprised they gave you the parcel without the charge being paid upfront.

 

[granknits]

I have just received a letter from UPS demanding payment for customs charges of £18.25 on an order from Ice Yarns that I received the second week in May. It says "All Uk imports with a shipment value of £15.00 or greater can be subject to import duties and taxes." My order came to £15.52. The letter is dated 26 May 2017. My order date was 4th May.
WATCH OUT UK BUYERS

I wonder what they would do if you refused to pay. You already have the yarn, which would never happened if this charge was legit. Maybe the scammer is UPS itself. :sm07: :sm07:

 

[Augustgran]

If you still haven't used the yarn , pack it up call ups to pick it up and return to sender!
Also call your bank and ask what the exact exchange rate was for that day you ordered the yarn!
ups are scammers.

https://www.dutycalculator.com/country-guides/Import-duty-taxes-when-importing-into-the-United-Kingdom/

 

[wendyacz]

Something would freeze over before I paid it, you have the yarn, knit and enjoy!

 

[chickkie]

Anyone who orders out of their country should realize that there might be duty charges. It happens everywhere. Some items get through okay and some are checked.

 

[chickkie]

.