I know understand why people don't buy fishing gear from the states. Bought an Orvis Battenkill Bar Stock reel from USA on ebay (birthday present for my dad), saving about £40 incl postage. Got a letter from Parcelforce today saying I had to pay £24 duty. Won't be doing that again...

Sometimes a large proportion of the fee is the ParcelForce handling fee. Which I always found a wind up as they used to send a letter saying that my parcel was at the local depot and a round trip of about 16 miles!!

I'm waiting for the exchange rate to go back to $1.90 or more before I buy from the states. Same with some European sellers, used to get some good deals when the euro rate was better with some sellers offering free delivery if purchasing over a certain level.

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The best things in life aren't things.

I thought this was more about import duty? That's why I've never bought from abroad, although would do so if the saving outweighed the import duty.

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I'm not sure if it's import duty or VAT?? I know ParcelForce effectively act as the tax collector like retailers do with UK VAT. But ParcelForce also add on a handling fee.

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The best things in life aren't things.

Hello Alex,

if my calculation is correct you still saved 16£, didn't you? The "large" duty fee is IMO partly the import tax your delivery service has paid for you. This is unfortunate but a reality to us all. In between EU countries this does not exist. In future keep in mind this tax is calculated on the value of your parcel, not the size.

Best regards,
Johan

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Johan Janssens

Alex,

I've just done the sums, I think you saved £16 (£40-£24) . . . . . . . . .
What's the problem

JC

I've just realised that Alex's dad must've done a great job if his off-spring are buying him fishing tackle for his birthday.....I got socks last year

Well done Alex and if your dad's got any tips for us other parents out here please let us know

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The best things in life aren't things.

Well Dad has bought me a lot of kit in the past. First rod and reel, taken me fishing on the itchen, given me HEAPS of flies. He deserves it!

hello a lot of people are caught out this way as sometimes no mention of this is on the eabay item from the usa. did your seller mention this?? i think most top shippers like ups dhl will charge duty and vat for shipping to uk, even buying items from china can be duty and vat. so pays to be aware. anyway i hope your dad liked his reel.

Welcome to the consumer society.

When Revenue and Customs were merged, they were able tax more from millions of small transactions, than be bothered to chase the billions salted away, offshore, by greedy, rotten scoundrels, and their lick-spittle apologists.