[grambax]

There was a problem with Amazon doing this with a big BOGOF sale last year. You might find it easier to contact them and they may well refund the customs charge - it was their fault for incorrectly declaring it, after all.

They said last year that their system couldn't cope with making the difference in declaration, but that they would look into it.

Its a lot less hassle than going through Customs for an appeal.

[Antonio_M_S]

Originally Posted by grambax

There was a problem with Amazon doing this with a big BOGOF sale last year. You might find it easier to contact them and they may well refund the customs charge - it was their fault for incorrectly declaring it, after all.

They said last year that their system couldn't cope with making the difference in declaration, but that they would look into it.

Its a lot less hassle than going through Customs for an appeal.

I'll give that a shot then. Thank you.

[grambax]

Good luck with it!

[Antonio_M_S]

Originally Posted by grambax

Good luck with it!

Poo! This is part of their reply:

"If you used any promotional discounts on an order, please be aware
that while the promotion reduces the actual amount that you pay
Amazon.com, it does not change the value of the item itself. We are
required to declare the actual value of the items in your shipment."

[tracey_sws]

I received mine this morning, and haven't had a look at it to check what the declared value is, but the postie didn't knock about any customs charge, so I assume it was ok. Once i've had a look i'll get back to you. In regards to Amazon, they did this to me with the Bogof before, I e:mailed them and the refunded me the costs that I incurred. Don't give up! E:mail them again and really state your case, it's their fault, just like it's their fault when they include p&p in the declared value. If they really refuse, you have proof of how much you paid, so claim it back from customs, although that won;t help with the Royal Mail charge.

Let us know how you get on. :)

[grambax]

Sorry to hear that, but I believe Amazon ARE wrong, and you should try again. I think their argument is for the value of the package TO THEM, should it go missing. But that IS NOT what the Customs Declaration is for. I took this up with HM Revenue last time and it is definately the price you actually pay that should be declared. BOGOFs DO reduce the value for Customs purposes and if Amazon don't know that, they should and seem to have forgotten.

I agree, chase them first, on principal if nothing else, but unless the rules have changed in the last few months you should be OK claiming with customs. But you have to be careful - you have to claim from Customs first, then Royal Mail. You only have a set time to claim from RM (4, 6 or at very most 8 weeks, but I don't think its that long, be sure to ask) and often you haven't received the refund from customs in time. So if you are nearing the deadline chase Customs, not for actual payment but for a confirmation letter that you are entitled to it - you can get that quicker.

[Silent Bob]

Is customs worked out on the business exchange rate i.e. $2.0873 to the pound (£18 = $37.53) or the tourist rate $1.98 to the pound (£18 = $35.64) and I do know they set the rate for the month but which one is it?

[tracey_sws]

Ok, got my package and the declared value is $47.90, freight and Insurance $8.97 total = $56.87, that what is written on the declaration. However, looks like i've been lucky and it hasn't gone through Mount Pleasant (which rarely ever happens to me) but Germany - Deutsche Post, so glad I don't have to go through the whole fiasco like last time.

[tracey_sws]

Another thing is, the last couple of packages i've got from Amazon.com have arrived with big wholes cut out of the back. I can only assume this is for customs purposes, but the idea of it doesn't seem very good to me.

[grambax]

Originally Posted by Silent Bob

Is customs worked out on the business exchange rate i.e. $2.0873 to the pound (£18 = $37.53) or the tourist rate $1.98 to the pound (£18 = $35.64) and I do know they set the rate for the month but which one is it?

Not sure how its arrived at, but if its any help, the HM Customs US exchange rate for November is £2.0379 to the pound.

I was editing this to say I had it wrong, but it seems that that rate is indeed correct.