Imported stuff and vat

[Popcorn]

When ordering from the states specify for it NOT to be transported by FEDEX, the robbing so and so's charge a handling fee on top of the VAT.

 

[aesmith]

What I dont understand, however, is how the clearance charge comes under contract law. I mean if I provide an advertising service for parcel force by telling all my mates how good it is, and maybe putting up a notice in the window as well, and then invoicing for it, they wouldnt even take the time to say "no".

So, why, legally, is it assumed that the customs clearance is a contracted service? Surely if anyone contacts, its the sender, not the recipient.

I'm dubious as to how legal it all is.

It's most likely statutory, not contractual. Whether you arrange the shipment (you have a contract with the carrier) or the sender does, in either case you are the importer.

 

[aesmith]

There's a reason for this but I'm blowed if I can understand it. On paper china imports are subject to the same duty. But in practice it's usually been cheaper or duty free. Maybe it's the cheap cost of manufacture to start with...

Chinese mail order companies normally under-declare on their labelling. I even dealt with one where the defaulted to 30%, you could change that to your preference and download a fully itemised PDF showing all the prices scaled down to 30% or whatever percentage you'd selected.