UPS - Excessive Duty Admin Charge

djsim101

Hi lads,

Any of ye get stung ordering stuff in frm outside the EU?

Ordered cool retro gear from Think Geek, order came to $90, of which, $30 of that was for shipping via UPS.

However, got a bill from UPS for an additional 33 euro. I was told by phone operator, around 17 euro was from duty, fair enough, I agree with that, but UPS also charge 15 euro for a duty admin charge. This is what I dont agree with.

I feel like not taking the goods and get them returned to the sender on principle.

Any of ye got hit like me?

Professey Chin

This is why I avoid UPS.
They constantly throw their own charges onto everything (same with Fedex).
What was the actual value of the goods you bought? If it was about $60 thats about €45 so the VAT should be about €12 (less even. Im just rounding)

djsim101

That was what I was thinking, I was told by another source, that UPS handle everything themselves, ie, they have a facility in Shannon airport, where they apply duty there, and add an admin charge in a UPS controlled environment.

If that is the case, they can add whatever they want. Of course, I wont get a full breakdown of costs untill I pay the extra charge. Very unfair though.

Jarren

Yeap

I got stung by UPS a few years ago with the admin fee,payed and haven't used them ever since.
Lesson learned.

Jarren

http://www.dutycalculator.com/new-import-duty-and-tax-calculation/

Retr0gamer

Never order with a courier because they'll hand your stuff over to customs everytime. They'll then charge you the admin/holdering charge on top of it, it's like how ryanair stinge a bit of money out of poor unfortunates.

I recently got my 3DS from the US and made sure the seller sent it with the US postal service. It was marked as a gift with a worth of $150 on the packaging and it slipped though customs. By all rights I shoudl have been hit by customs. Same with the massive box my Virtual Boy came in. I've never been done using the postal service instead of a courier.

Take it as a lesson learnt, just be glad you didn't get stung on something that was more expensive.

Also 17 stingers is a bnit much. Find out the VAT rate on what you were buying, show them a receipt and tell them to lower it to the correct amount. If they don't then take them to the small claims court or see about fraud allegations.

Steve X2

I'm dreading the import duty bill on my 3D printer.
That import calc reckons its 385 euro

.

djsim101

Thanks lads,

I was told (after) I orderd with UPS that they are the worset.The thing is, I didnt really even need the bloody items, just impluse buy (with a lot of wine on board)

Heck, I even ordered an X - arcade from Canada, came in a huge box, via another courier, no charge at all.

Steve X2

How is Fedex when it comes to these things. That's who's shipping my printer I think.

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Professey Chin

Steve SI wrote: »

How is Fedex when it comes to these things. That's who's shipping my printer I think.

.

They do the same anytime Ive used them but theyve been cnuts in how they do it.
They delivered some clothes and crap to me before then invoiced me later for their handling charges.

Anytime I can its standard post all the way.

djsim101

good to know. Going to see if the company will meet me half way with the charges.

Worth a go anyways:)

Good luck with the printer Steve

Doge

Sorry to hear you got stung man!

When I ordered from ThinkGeek a few years back, I chose DHL instead as I was aware from reading online, on boards and other Irish sites that UPS really take the piss.

What I paid DHL was extremely close to the customs duty, if not exactly!

Not sure if its the same today.

KeRbDoG

djsim101 wrote: »

... but UPS also charge 15 euro for a duty admin charge. This is what I dont agree with.

The joys of import duty/taxes. If your ever hit with import duty always expect a handling/admin charge. Even AnPost charge €6~ for the pleasure of touching and valuing your goodies. Feel free to challenge their valuation of items, especially used/old stuff, the usually reduce the duty if you have proof

a5y

Bookmarking this thread for day I go insane and decide to buy Panzer Dragoon Saga. It'd be just my luck to have the valuation questioned on it. Better practice the lies now.

>"How much is this worth?"

>>"Hmm... It was about IRL£50, new, ish? So with depreciation (since it's old, y'know) um... about €5.00? ish?"

>"But its printed right here you paid-"

>>"I WAS DRUNK AND ON EBAY WITH A CREDIT CARD. I'M NOT PROUD OF IT. IGNORE THAT. €5, TOPS."

Anyone convinced?

johnny_ultimate

I love how some websites mark down values without you even having to ask Received a package worth around 20$ today: not much, but was labelled as $8 :pac: And from a reputable and successful site too. Certain gaming related sites from across the pond engage in similar practices.

Professey Chin

Skate Warehouse used to be brilliant for that. Id spend about $100 on t-shirts and theyd send it by regular post marked t-shirt 4x$5 :pac:
Some stage last year though they stopped using regular post, only UPS

Just done a quick check again. Have an old e-mail showing shipping was $12
Almost the exact same order is now a minimum of $41
Fuck sake :mad:

djsim101

Going to have to suck it up and pay the charges. And it is a lesson well learnt.

Burn me once, fair enough, burn me twice, defo not

ghostchant

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

I love how some websites mark down values without you even having to ask Received a package worth around 20$ today: not much, but was labelled as $8 :pac: And from a reputable and successful site too. Certain gaming related sites from across the pond engage in similar practices.

Thanks to videogamesplus my postman must think I've a really good Canadian friend who constantly sends me gifts of $15 CDs...

djsim101

Videogamesplus are Brill like that. Have ordered from them lots of times and never got stung before.

Retr0gamer

Steve SI wrote: »

How is Fedex when it comes to these things. That's who's shipping my printer I think.

.

I'll put it this way. Bite down, it's going in dry.

Steve X2

Retr0gamer wrote: »

I'll put it this way. Bite down, it's going in dry.

I double checked and my postage option is "United States Postal Service: Express" and not FedEx. So I might be ok, or at least have a better chance of not getting stung.

.

Retr0gamer

Never been caught with USPS express before, even when it was clearly marked that I should have been. You can put the lub away, you might get away with it. The only reason I can see that you wouldn't is if the package was excessively large then customs might open it up to check.

Steve X2

Retr0gamer wrote: »

Never been caught with USPS express before, even when it was clearly marked that I should have been. You can put the lub away, you might get away with it. The only reason I can see that you wouldn't is if the package was excessively large then customs might open it up to check.

Yeah, It's going to be a fairly big box as they really package up the 3D printers well, and they come fully assembled.
I guess I'll find out soon enough.

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Optimus Prime

I only got stung last week for €144 by them. not for anything game related either, 3 Bridesmaid dresses she bought for our wedding from the US. Still worked out a little bit cheaper then buying them over here, but was still sick at having to pay that at the door all the same.

Steve X2

keithgeo wrote: »

I only got stung last week for €144 by them. not for anything game related either, 3 Bridesmaid dresses she bought for our wedding from the US. Still worked out a little bit cheaper then buying them over here, but was still sick at having to pay that at the door all the same.

Sure, "She" bought



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Optimus Prime

haha well your half right, i bought them.. but she wanted them... honest... :pac: im not wearing one right now or anything..