Anyone in the UK got their package yet?

#1

Anybody in the UK got their package yet? I’m dreading the extra cost of this. I couldn’t really afford Modo in the first place, but with this extra UPS cost on top, I’m really annoyed. Is there any way I can claim this back from somebody (I’m not VAT registered). Also, did Lux put the full value of $700 on the package, or the $600 that I paid for it? If the $700 was declared as the value, I will be really annoyed.

Hopefully there won’t be a charge (maybe they’ll forget?), but I really am dreading this. For upgrades, can Lux declare the value as $25, like some other companies do (Hash in particular)

#2

Got mine…I live in Belfast and it cost £73 from UPS. Sucks eh…

#3

No kidding. I got a package from FedEx the other week worth over $2000. They ddin’t charge ANYTHING at the door.

Please Luxology, do something about this. People who live outside the US are screwed every time when it comes to ordering things over the Internet.

#4

I’ve got mine about 2 weeks ago, paid the UPS shipping plus about £80 import taxes.
And it doesn’t matter if you download your goods, or import them physically, officially you’re breaking the law if you buy goods outside the EU [worth more than £18] without paying import…

Plus, it’s the taxman that pays…

Cheers,

Bert

#5

In my experience, this only seems to apply to software, not to anything else. I have been charged once for non-software goods purchased from outside the EU, and that was on a few DVDs that I ordered from Amazon.com. I have NEVER been charged anything for books, etc, and the times I have been charged for software, it has been VAT that is charged, not customs duties or ‘brokerage’.

We are definately getting screwed when it comes to purchasing software from the US, and it is not right. I’m sure US citizens don’t get slapped with a charge of nearly 20% of the price they paid if they get something from the EU.

Anyway, thats the end of my rant. There is nothing I can do about it, but I needed to get it off my chest. I guess my omly option is to never purchase anything from the US again, or at least nothing that is shipped by UPS (incidentally, every time I have been charged, it has been UPS. FedEx and DHL never charge me anything).

Now, I just hope that I don’t get charged anything for my new G5 that I am expecting this week!

#6

The import tax equates to VAT, and books are not taxed in the UK anyway, that’s why there are no import duties.

A lot will need to learned [by governments] before this truly becomes a global market…

Bert

#7

Not UK but Czech Republic.
No duty only VAT.
CZK 3500 (3300 VAT + 200 UPS), equal to £75.
VAT is 19% in our country.

Martin

#8

Got mine last wednesday and amazingly the UPS guy did not charge me the VAT. Guess the package slipped through customes. Same thing happened with some Gnomon DVDs which was with UPS as well. So good experiences here in Denmark.

#9

Cost me £77.44. Shocking.

#10

In the UK you are not being charged Import Duty on software, you are being charged VAT. Books are zero rated for VAT in the UK, so there is no additional charge when you buy them from Amazon.com and the like.

You do have to pay Import Duty in addition to VAT on some items, e.g. VCRs and camcorders with the Video In activated carry an extra 3.75% import duty. This means, for example, that if you bought a Newtek VT4 kit from outside the UK, you would pay 3.75% Import Duty + Shipping + 17.5% VAT.

Also, just because the nice UPS delivery person didn’t charge you extra when he brought the package to your door don’t assume you have managed to avoid the charges. I know FedEx usually send you an invoice later for these costs. I’ve had that happend several times…and it can be several weeks before this unwelcome bill drops through your door.

The EU have wised up on people getting software over the internet too. Electronic sellers are now being forced to add on VAT to EU buyers on their invoices. I had this happen quite recently when I bought into the LW Virtual Textures Beta program. It is strictly an electronic download, but I still got charged VAT.

One thing that is getting a bit extortionate, are trans-atlantic shipping rates regardless of the courier being used. FedEx and UPS are definitely not cheap, regular AirMail and Surface Mail are much more affordable options but they can be slow and less well insured.

#11

This thread has been automatically closed as it remained inactive for 12 months. If you wish to continue the discussion, please create a new thread in the appropriate forum.