The MLP Arena

TCB => Trader & Shipping Support => Topic started by: Icecrystalline on September 20, 2012, 11:03:13 AM

Title: Sorted and paid, thank you.
Post by: Icecrystalline on September 20, 2012, 11:03:13 AM

The miaow was just for fun XD
SwiftHeartBabbit and I have done a trade, she recieved her parcel over a week ago and she's happy and I'm happy that she is happy but then today, I got a customs charge through my front door asking for £11.16 ! :( I have nothing against SHB ( I want to make that clear, she has been a fantastic trading partner!), in fact she has been wonderful and we both agreed to start this thread, it's just that, I cannot afford to pay that, and I really don't know what to do! We really need some help on this please!
Can you help us? :(
Thanks!

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :(
Post by: tulagirl on September 20, 2012, 11:28:13 AM

Well, not knowing what the value amount was that she put on your package....and not knowing what your country rules are for customs fees I can't help so much. I know all of us have to know what our limits are and I think they said that if a gift is marked 40.00 or more in the UK it is subject to a fee. I just don't know what the purchased customs fee limit is.

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :(
Post by: Gingerbread on September 20, 2012, 11:37:35 AM

I don't think it has to be $40 - Scarah was only $25, I got hit with a customs charge for her.

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :(
Post by: ponylady on September 20, 2012, 11:38:14 AM

It's unfortunate and it is not what you are going to want to hear but you as the receiver are responsible for the charges incurred. It is under your countries law regarding packages coming into the UK. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/post/internet.htm

It's not your sender's fault nor their responsibility to reimburse you for these charges. 

If you refuse to pay them then the item will be sent back to SwiftHeart.

     

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :(
Post by: tulagirl on September 20, 2012, 11:40:37 AM

Quote from: Pinkamena on September 20, 2012, 11:37:35 AM

I don't think it has to be $40 - Scarah was only $25, I got hit with a customs charge for her.

Well your country has to have all the rules written out somewhere so you will know what to expect fee wise when it comes to out of the country purchases.  A trade is not an exchange of payment but and exchange of merchandise and that is not a sale...so the amount placed on the form should reflect fair values.

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :(
Post by: lovelauraland on September 20, 2012, 11:45:05 AM

as far as i am aware you would only get a charge if it states on the package its worth more than £40, I would go down and see what it says on the packaging and confirm the customs charge is for items worth over £40?
if you have received the pony already and then got a charge then this might be a fake charge!?
hope this helps :D

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :(
Post by: tulagirl on September 20, 2012, 11:46:25 AM

How does someone get a fake charge? Does that mean its a mistake at the PO?  I am confused by that one.

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :(
Post by: Gingerbread on September 20, 2012, 11:51:24 AM

Taken from HMRC website -  (http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&propertyType=document&_pageLabel=pageTravel_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_000014#P21_1913)

Quote

Goods Value*            Customs Charges applicable


£0.01 to £15              No customs duty, no Import VAT**

£15.01 to £135          No customs duty but import VAT due

£135.01 and greater  Customs duty due, but waived if the amount calculated due is less than £9.
                                   Import VAT due

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :(
Post by: ponylady on September 20, 2012, 11:53:07 AM

I think we are getting way out in left field here about what is going on. Let's keep it on topic.

There is no difference in the goverments eyes between a trade, a sale or even a gift.  It is still merchandise being imported from another country. And if it has a value on it they will collect their taxes.

The Uk has really been cracking down on this as I am sure UK members are aware of.

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :(
Post by: Icecrystalline on September 20, 2012, 11:55:00 AM

I'm sorry guys but now I'm really confused.... Basically, Pink, as you too are in the UK, does that mean I shouldn't have a charge? The amount on the parcel is $30, SHB told me xxx

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :(
Post by: tulagirl on September 20, 2012, 11:58:04 AM

Quote from: ponylady on September 20, 2012, 11:53:07 AM

I think we are getting way out in left field here about what is going on. Let's keep it on topic.

There is no difference in the goverments eyes between a trade, a sale or even a gift.  It is still merchandise being imported from another country. And if it has a value on it they will collect their taxes.

The Uk has really been cracking down on this as I am sure UK members are aware of.

Oh wow I didn't realize this. Yikes. I thought there was a difference.  Glad you cleared that one up.  Sorry I didn't mean to stretch the topic over to the left side of the universe. :blush:

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :(
Post by: ponylady on September 20, 2012, 11:58:51 AM

Ice, no mattter what the value is you are going to subjected to a charge.  I am sorry. There is no written law under your countries jurisdiction that you will not be.

It is not fair to your trade partner to make that assumption.

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :(
Post by: Gingerbread on September 20, 2012, 11:59:15 AM

From what I can gather, if the parcel is worth £15.01 - £135, you will get stung for import VAT. Scarah only cost me $25, I got roughly the same charge as you.

As Ponylady has said, they are REALLY cracking down on charges now :(

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :(
Post by: tulagirl on September 20, 2012, 11:59:52 AM

Wow they really are cracking down.  Looks like its a legit fee to me. I would pay your fee and then keep this chart so next time you trade you can keep these rules in mind to avoid fees...or trade within the UK.

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :(
Post by: Gingerbread on September 20, 2012, 12:04:03 PM

Yes :) The piece of paper they give you with the charge on says Customs though, hence why I call it a customs charge :blush: So it should be a VAT charge...


Heavyhooves HMRC y u so confoozin? :(

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :(
Post by: SwiftheartBabbit on September 20, 2012, 12:15:26 PM

Oh, that really stinks! Was not expecting this at all. Have shipped to other countries in Europe without having this come up, but I think this was my first time shipping to the UK. If I had known, I would've listed the price as being lower than it actually way, to avoid being hit. :(

Appreciate everyone's input so far. Any other suggestions would be great. I received my ponies from Icey last week without any problems.

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :(
Post by: Icecrystalline on September 20, 2012, 12:23:30 PM

Thanks SHB :hug: the thing is, I've had parcels with values of 40 dollars and more very recently and yet never had to pay customs. I'm 17 and a student, and I just cannot afford to pay these fees. If necessary, we'll have to trade back (which I don't want to do, but if left with no choice, will have to)
:(

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :(
Post by: hathorcat on September 20, 2012, 12:37:23 PM

To put it simply there are 2 ways an item can be marked when posting...as "goods" or as "a gift" that's where your confusion on value on customs may be coming from.

GOODS:
1) If a parcel is under £15 in value on the customs form and marked as "goods" then it will pass through customs fine without a charge
2) If a parcel is over £15 in value on the customs form and marked as "goods" then it will be subject to import taxes

GIFT:
3) If a parcel is under £40 in value on the customs form and marked as "gift" then it will pass through customs fine
4) If a parcel is over £40 in value on the customs form and marked as "gift" then it could be subject to a charge

It sounds as though your parcel was marked as goods and with the $30 value fee which puts it over the £15 limit.

Unfortunately this is completely normal and anyone importing anything into the UK at the moment with a value over either the £15 or £40 value will be subject to customs charges in addition to a handling fee [handling will be anything from £8 to £25 depending on if it comes into the country via courier or Royal Mail].

For the last 12 to 18 months the UK has become stricter and stricter about this policy. Its HMRC's way of getting back tax which they think they are entitled to...if you buy something from the US and import it, the UK government dont get their percentage of the cut in VAT but you still get your product. Therefore, customs now strictly charge an equivalent percentage on items coming into the country as this way they get the tax they are missing. Is it fair that they do this on vintage ponies and trades? No - probably not. However, it is the law and anyone experienced and confident enough to purchase products from outside the country should be aware that this will happen.

If you cant afford to pay for the customs charge, then after a period [anything from 28 to 56 days] the parcel will simply be returned to the original sender. There will be no charge to you or the sender for this to be done. If the parcel was to return to your trade partner who could then resend perhaps marked as a gift if no transaction was actually involved then it would be under the £40 gift price. However, for this you would be responsible for paying the postage your partner would have to repay in order to resend the item - this may or may not be less than the customs charge [your partner would be able to confirm this]. As with all postage issues whether you are buying from an individual or a national retailer, all import taxes and charges are the responsibility of the receiver.

Unfortunately this means that if you wish to receive your item you will have to pay the charge...the only thing I would say is that you normally have a 28 day window in which to raise the money and make the payment so perhaps this gives you enough time to work out the funds.

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :(
Post by: Oneleo1 on September 20, 2012, 12:41:02 PM

Quote from: ponylady on September 20, 2012, 11:38:14 AM

It's unfortunate and it is not what you are going to want to hear but you as the receiver are responsible for the charges incurred. It is under your countries law regarding packages coming into the UK. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/post/internet.htm

It's not your sender's fault nor their responsibility to reimburse you for these charges. 

If you refuse to pay them then the item will be sent back to SwiftHeart.

     

It sucks that the postal service works like this, but Ponylady is right. The sender can be fined heavily for not obeying the regulations of the postal service and many people don't want to risk having fines imposed for sending things with incorrect customs forms :(

I am sorry that you are in this situation, I hope that you are able to get your package in the end!

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :(
Post by: partypony566 on September 20, 2012, 12:59:03 PM

The thing is, if you buy anything from outside Europe even if it's a trade ( post office won't care, it's a parcel with a value on the front at the end of the day) you are responsible for any charges.

I'm awaiting a BJD from the US which I know I'll have to pay AT LEAST £40-50 customs fee on. The company I bought from will of course put the full amount on the customs form, as it's a sale and it is illegal for them to lie or put 'gift' on the form, and like cat says even if they put gift on the form, you'll still get charges. That's the law. It's VAT, import tax and we are responsible for it.

You know if you send the items back to SHB then it will cost you almost £11 anyway. Also if you do not pay the customs charge, the items will be returned to SHB and SHE will be charged a fee, which certainly will not be her responsibility.

So you either need to pay the customs charge, or you will need to reimburse SHB of the charges she will get if the items get sent back to her plus the postage she will have to pay to send your stuff back.

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :(
Post by: HawaiianRain on September 20, 2012, 01:30:42 PM

Honestly, it would just be cheaper to pay the customs charge on the package then to 'un-do' the swap. Like stated before me, the sender will be charged for having her package sent back if it was sent international first class.

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :(
Post by: ponylady on September 20, 2012, 01:32:22 PM

Quote from: Icecrystalline on September 20, 2012, 12:23:30 PM

Thanks SHB :hug: the thing is, I've had parcels with values of 40 dollars and more very recently and yet never had to pay customs. I'm 17 and a student, and I just cannot afford to pay these fees. If necessary, we'll have to trade back (which I don't want to do, but if left with no choice, will have to)
:(

If you have to trade back, the shipping to get your items back Ice should have to be paid by you.  SwiftHeart should not have to be responsible for these because you are choosing not to pick your items up at customs.  I am sorry but this is the way it works.  Like Party and Cat have mentioned you have a certain time period to pick these items up, maybe you could ask your mum to give you a quick loan till you get paid.

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :(
Post by: tulagirl on September 20, 2012, 04:58:44 PM

Sending trade items back can be risky thing because what if your trader doesn't get them back and they get lost in the mail?   What if your trader ends up with a fee for return postage on the item they sent you?  Then there is the issue of backing out of your trade after you have already sent your partner her items.  That isn't really fair to do to your trade partner because they wanted those and trusted that this trade would go through.  They shouldn't have to send them back now because you can't pay the fees to get the box they sent to you.  I think if you can babysit for a family, ask your family for a task in which you can make money or do some selling to get your cash so you can pick up your box is the best thing to do. Honor your trade agreement...raise some money.  When I was your age I kept kids...seems like there is always someone around that needs a little help and thats not a lot of cash..you should be able to earn it quickly and fix this that way.  Just a thought.

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :(
Post by: lovesbabysquirmy on September 20, 2012, 05:42:03 PM

Quote from: ponylady on September 20, 2012, 11:38:14 AM

It's unfortunate and it is not what you are going to want to hear but you as the receiver are responsible for the charges incurred. It is under your countries law regarding packages coming into the UK. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/post/internet.htm

It's not your sender's fault nor their responsibility to reimburse you for these charges. 

If you refuse to pay them then the item will be sent back to SwiftHeart.

     

Ponylady has the best advice... the only way to deal with customs is to pay the fee they ask.  There is no getting around it.  I also would say it's extremely unfair to ask your partner to "trade-back" because "you don't have the money"!  It is not your trade partner's "fault" for "not checking gift" or including an appropriate value on the form that got Customs' attention.

I hope this can be worked out to all parties' satisfaction.   :(

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :(
Post by: Ringlets on September 20, 2012, 05:57:19 PM

Unfortunately, us UKers have to put up with these charges if we import items from outside of the UK/Europe.
Cat is right that if an item is sent as as gift, then the customs charges apply if the item is valued at £40 or more (thats around  $60, perhaps a bit more now ) , and if the item is not marked as as gift then the charges apply if the item is valued at £15 or more. It used to be £18 or more but they've lowered it now *sigh* :(
I know its a pain, but its really not up to your trade partner to pay, or to have to have the item sent back (which could lead to other issues as have already been mentioned here). . Do you have something that you can sell to raise the money? or could you do some household chores or jobs for friends or family to raise the money? 

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :(
Post by: Icecrystalline on September 21, 2012, 03:25:08 AM

I'm sorry guys, but it's not as simple as just earning some money. I worked all summer to buy just books and equipment for college, as well as a few items of clothing for myself. I have no money left. And please don't ask me to ask my family for money- I'll just say they're not in the position to either. (and yes my family do work). I'm going to go to my local PO and ask their advice. That's all I can think of, because when other oddities have happened surround RM, they've usually had a solution. Either way, I do not have the money. But I will think of a way to deal with this, whether something along trading back or whatever, I just need some time to think.
Thanks for your input everyone, I think my brain neeeds to recover from information overload..

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :( edit: Going to talk to PO sometime soon. Thanks.
Post by: partypony566 on September 21, 2012, 05:46:19 AM

Honestly, the post office can't and won't do anything, HMRC want the money, it's a tax so it's the law that you pay otherwise you can't have your item unfortunately, and if you don't pay it, it gets sent back to SHB and she will get charged for it. :(

Maybe sell some ponies or dolls on here to raise the money? :)

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :( edit: Going to talk to PO sometime soon. Thanks.
Post by: little.fox on September 21, 2012, 06:08:16 AM

It seems very unfair that SwiftHeart should be penalized for your mistake Ice, if you can't redeem your package from the po, I don't see why she should be in any way obliged to return your part of the trade or send your parcel again.

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :( edit: Going to talk to PO sometime soon. Thanks.
Post by: Icecrystalline on September 21, 2012, 08:38:00 AM

Party: Sadly I have nothing left to sell. I have to think of something else. :( Thanks though. x

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :( edit: Going to talk to PO sometime soon. Thanks.
Post by: Oneleo1 on September 21, 2012, 09:17:23 AM

I saw you have a trade thread, are any of those ponies still available? There are a couple that caught my eye :)

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :( edit: Going to talk to PO sometime soon. Thanks.
Post by: Icecrystalline on September 21, 2012, 09:20:47 AM

Most of them are, yes, the G3s anyway. The rest are gone, it's pretty much up to date. :)

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :( edit: Going to talk to PO sometime soon. Thanks.
Post by: Ringlets on September 22, 2012, 03:18:47 AM

There's the solution then ^^  sell the ponies you had up for trade and raise the money that way   :)

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :( edit: Going to talk to PO sometime soon. Thanks.
Post by: Icecrystalline on September 22, 2012, 08:31:49 AM

Only problem is I haven't been contacted by anyone other than Oneleo asking if they were still available, so I don't think that's the solution either :huh: :(
Off to PO on Monday to ask their advice and their suggestions :) It's worth a try at any rate, it doesn't lose me anything even if it doesn't gain me anything.

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :( edit: Going to talk to PO sometime soon. Thanks.
Post by: Oneleo1 on September 22, 2012, 10:07:43 AM

Have you posted them in the sales forum to attract attention? You do have some good ponies there! :)

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :( edit: Going to talk to PO sometime soon. Thanks.
Post by: Icecrystalline on September 22, 2012, 12:09:15 PM

No because I did that before for months on end and nobody was interested. :(
I'm trying to think of something else.. :)

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :( edit: Going to talk to PO sometime soon. Thanks.
Post by: Oneleo1 on September 22, 2012, 03:12:16 PM

If you are not willing to try to sell the ponies you have for trade, then I am not sure what else you can do. You have some good ponies there, and I know that there are people interested in buying them.

Quote from: Icecrystalline on September 22, 2012, 12:09:15 PM

No because I did that before for months on end and nobody was interested. :(
I'm trying to think of something else.. :)

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :( edit: Going to talk to PO sometime soon. Thanks.
Post by: girlyponce on September 22, 2012, 03:31:07 PM

Shot you a PM :hug: Sorry about all the money issues and customs charges. I'm the the US and always worry about the fees when I send ponies to the UK  >_<

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :( edit: Going to talk to PO sometime soon. Thanks.
Post by: Icecrystalline on September 23, 2012, 03:46:58 AM

Thanks girly but I have none to offer you, none are white, PM'ed you back xx

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :( edit: Going to talk to PO sometime soon. Thanks.
Post by: Diamond on September 23, 2012, 11:54:43 AM

Quote from: SwiftheartBabbit on September 20, 2012, 12:15:26 PM

Oh, that really stinks! Was not expecting this at all. Have shipped to other countries in Europe without having this come up, but I think this was my first time shipping to the UK. If I had known, I would've listed the price as being lower than it actually way, to avoid being hit. :(

Appreciate everyone's input so far. Any other suggestions would be great. I received my ponies from Icey last week without any problems.

Actually you are not supposed to under-list the value.  It can get you the shipper into hot water.   If the UK is cracking down then it is really not a good idea to do so.  I even have it in my ebay listing that I will not under list a value to avoid fees.  I have no desire to have the postal system come after me for false reporting or mail fraud.

And you can get hit with them here (have had it happen) when we get packages from overseas but it seems to happen way less then going over to the UK from here.

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :( edit: Going to talk to PO sometime soon. Thanks.
Post by: NoDivision on September 23, 2012, 04:11:52 PM

Quote from: Oneleo1 on September 22, 2012, 03:12:16 PM

If you are not willing to try to sell the ponies you have for trade, then I am not sure what else you can do. You have some good ponies there, and I know that there are people interested in buying them.

Quote from: Icecrystalline on September 22, 2012, 12:09:15 PM

No because I did that before for months on end and nobody was interested. :(
I'm trying to think of something else.. :)

You should definitely try the sales forum again - I wonder if the lack of interest comes from not having pictures? I tend to glaze over sales posts with no images. Even if you can only take pictures in groups that will help.

I agree with Oneleo - you'll never know if you don't try. If you're serious about trying to solve this situation, then a little effort is required.

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :( edit: Going to talk to PO sometime soon. Thanks.
Post by: Icecrystalline on September 24, 2012, 12:39:34 AM

Thanks NoD but I'm a full time A-Level student, I do not have time to take photos. I'm working on a solution, so thanks for the suggestions. I think I'll have it sorted soon. Will close thread when I've sorted it. X

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :( edit: Going to talk to PO sometime soon. Thanks.
Post by: NoDivision on September 24, 2012, 06:09:58 AM

I wish you luck with your solution then - I hope this situation has enlightened you to the customs procedures so you'll be more prepared in the future.

I'm sure if you want to sell your items in the future though that you can find a few minutes to snap some group pictures - they don't have to be anything fancy, just put the ponies down on the floor and snap a quick group shot. You mentioned that your sales thread just sat there and no one contacted you, so I'm just offering a suggestion to help with that. Just a very basic picture can really go a long way, and it's not time consuming. After all, most of us here have lots of outside commitments like full time jobs, school, and families (or all of the above!) but we find a few spare minutes here or there to take care of business.

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :( edit: Going to talk to PO sometime soon. Thanks.
Post by: Oneleo1 on September 24, 2012, 06:31:20 AM

Ice,

A bit off topic - I just wanted to say your recent Monster High pics are lovely :) Your recent ones (within the last 2 weeks) are quite striking!

Back on topic, good luck with whatever your solution may be, I hope it works out for you :)

Title: Re: Help with a customs charge ! :( edit: Going to talk to PO sometime soon. Thanks.
Post by: Icecrystalline on September 24, 2012, 10:48:19 AM

Quote from: Oneleo1 on September 24, 2012, 06:31:20 AM

Ice,

A bit off topic - I just wanted to say your recent Monster High pics are lovely :) Your recent ones (within the last 2 weeks) are quite striking!

Back on topic, good luck with whatever your solution may be, I hope it works out for you :)

Thanks Oneleo, I took them at the start of September before college started again. As I mentioned in the Pic Spam thread, I won't be getting much (or more than likely any) photography done now that I'm back in full time A-Levels, I'm taking Biology, Geography, English Literature and Photography, all minus Photography have actually been rated the hardest A Levels to take, but I have no regrets, I love my courses and need them for university, so no regrets there.
Thanks about the solution, yes I think I might have found a way to pay. Although I don't think I'll be trading again outside of the UK, because this was totally unexpected, and I've never had one before in the 3-4 years I've bought and traded so that was pretty gutting, considering I have to ask school to help fund my books, it's not like I have a dispensable income to pay for things like this, hence why I'm more annoyed than I would be had I been working full time on a good/regular income!
Ah well, it's taught me to be more careful, and I won't be trading outside the UK again for awhile, I'm a bit too cautious and wary, it's not like £11.00 is a little sum, although my best friend told me today that she had ordered nail polish from the USA a few years back for about £10 worth of value, and the customs fees smacked £18 on top of it. Needless to say she was, like me, absolutely raging! XD

Title: Re: Miaow. This is pretty much sorted, thank you.
Post by: Sebby6 on September 24, 2012, 11:07:15 AM

Quote from: Diamond on September 23, 2012, 11:54:43 AM

Quote from: SwiftheartBabbit on September 20, 2012, 12:15:26 PM

Oh, that really stinks! Was not expecting this at all. Have shipped to other countries in Europe without having this come up, but I think this was my first time shipping to the UK. If I had known, I would've listed the price as being lower than it actually way, to avoid being hit. :(

Appreciate everyone's input so far. Any other suggestions would be great. I received my ponies from Icey last week without any problems.

Actually you are not supposed to under-list the value.  It can get you the shipper into hot water.   If the UK is cracking down then it is really not a good idea to do so.  I even have it in my ebay listing that I will not under list a value to avoid fees.  I have no desire to have the postal system come after me for false reporting or mail fraud.

And you can get hit with them here (have had it happen) when we get packages from overseas but it seems to happen way less then going over to the UK from here.

But there is no harm either in marking a loose G1 pony, that might be worth $30 to us, at $5.
Customs don't know Mimic from Peachy as long as it looks realistic.

Title: Re: Miaow. This is pretty much sorted, thank you.
Post by: Icecrystalline on September 24, 2012, 11:42:08 AM

Quote from: Sebby6 on September 24, 2012, 11:07:15 AM

Quote from: Diamond on September 23, 2012, 11:54:43 AM

Quote from: SwiftheartBabbit on September 20, 2012, 12:15:26 PM

Oh, that really stinks! Was not expecting this at all. Have shipped to other countries in Europe without having this come up, but I think this was my first time shipping to the UK. If I had known, I would've listed the price as being lower than it actually way, to avoid being hit. :(

Appreciate everyone's input so far. Any other suggestions would be great. I received my ponies from Icey last week without any problems.

Actually you are not supposed to under-list the value.  It can get you the shipper into hot water.   If the UK is cracking down then it is really not a good idea to do so.  I even have it in my ebay listing that I will not under list a value to avoid fees.  I have no desire to have the postal system come after me for false reporting or mail fraud.

And you can get hit with them here (have had it happen) when we get packages from overseas but it seems to happen way less then going over to the UK from here.

But there is no harm either in marking a loose G1 pony, that might be worth $30 to us, at $5.
Customs don't know Mimic from Peachy as long as it looks realistic.

I'm pretty sure this has been done for me several times before too, but I didn't ask, they did it automatically, and as Sebby, you quite rightly said, a pony is a pony! XD xxx

Title: Re: Miaow. This is pretty much sorted, thank you.
Post by: Maniah on September 24, 2012, 11:49:45 AM

The harm is if a claim needed to be filed (and is able to be filed) if you liste mimic as $5 then when they pay your claim, you get $5 back. It would suck to be in that situation.

Also, money spent outside your country is money leaving the economy. It does nothing to help further the economy. That's a big part of why they tax what you buy, so your money can benefit the economy in some way.

Title: Re: Miaow. This is pretty much sorted, thank you.
Post by: ponylady on September 24, 2012, 11:58:01 AM

I am glad that you may have found a solution Ice.  And thanks to everyone who offered to buy ponies from her to help raise the funds.

I have to say though there are lots of us who juggle full time jobs, school and on top of that children who manage to still be able to buy, sell and trade.  So it is possible. But I think you are making the right decision on taking a break like you mentioned from it if you already feel overwhelmed.  ;)

Title: Re: Miaow. This is pretty much sorted, thank you.
Post by: Icecrystalline on September 24, 2012, 12:11:23 PM

Quote from: ponylady on September 24, 2012, 11:58:01 AM

I am glad that you may have found a solution Ice.  And thanks to everyone who offered to buy ponies from her to help raise the funds.

I have to say though there are lots of us who juggle full time jobs, school and on top of that children who manage to still be able to buy, sell and trade.  So it is possible. But I think you are making the right decision on taking a break like you mentioned from it if you already feel overwhelmed.  ;)

I can manage buying/selling and trading, I save up money for things I specifically want, but of course, customs charges are not part of that, and as I currently am very short of money, it's not something I want to be stuck with regularly.
And yes, thanks for the suggestions. I'm selling all ponies on my thread at a car boot next weekend, I usually come home with £20 from ponies, so I'm hopeful :)

Title: Re: Miaow. This is pretty much sorted, thank you.
Post by: NoDivision on September 24, 2012, 01:43:46 PM

A car boot sale is a great idea! Always easier to just get the cash in hand. Good luck with your sales :)

Title: Re: Miaow. This is pretty much sorted, thank you.
Post by: WingedElf on September 24, 2012, 05:51:21 PM

Unless the package is insured I can't really see the harm in writing $5 rather than $50 for a G1; these laws were not primarily intended for vintage items rather to prevent us from buying things that are cheaper outside of Europe such as perfume, designer clothes, iPhone's etc etc. Sebby is right, ponies have no real value, just what we are prepared to pay for them as collectors.

I once had an issue with customs charges where the seller wrote that two ponies were worth more than I had actually paid which resulted in me receiving a charge for more than the value of the actual items. I tried explaining this to RM but they could do nothing about it, so I ended up not claiming the ponies (two TAF babies) because I absolutely could not afford the customs charge and they were supposed to be returned to the seller but actually ended up getting lost :( poor things. So I would be very wary of leaving anything uncollected relying on RM being able to return it the seller.

Anyway, back on topic! I'm glad you found a solution Ice :) I often sell some of my spare G3s at the carboot and they always sell really well, I'm sure yours will do well too :)