UK - VAT & Handling Charge

[ChinaDroid]

Hi,

Do you have experience with ordering phones from China to the UK?

Is there a way to avoid the Parcelforce £13.50/£8 handling charge?

 

[johndebur]

I guess most parcel services have a handling fee? They do it so you dont have to go to the customs. Personally I think this is better?

Parcel force: http://www.parcelforce.com/help-information/frequently-asked-questions/customs#6

Why do I have to pay a handling fee to Parcelforce Worldwide for my parcel that has Customs Charges?

If we receive a parcel from overseas we will pay any Customs duties and taxes on your behalf to the Border Force. However these will need to be paid to us and also our Customs clearance fee which helps cover the cost of additional handling, administration, money collection and clearance of parcels.

http://www.dutycalculator.com/help_center/will-there-be-any-extra-charges-from-the-shipping-provider/

• Import handling fees by Royal Mail: £8 per parcel liable for customs charges
• Import handling fees by DHL for import to UK: £1.25, or 2% of the import duty & taxes due, whichever is the greater.
• Import ancillary service fees by FedEx vary on the country of import.
• UPS charges include a disbursement fee of minimum $5, a transportation handling fee and a pre-release notification fee for import shipment

You could always choose airmail for delivery. But then its takes longer and you probably have to go to the customs. If you chose EMS then Royal Mail will take over once the package is in the UK. Most likely they will also ask for a handling fee.