UK Customs Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[duriantree]

Hi everyone

I live in the UK and recently bought a diamond ring from a US vendor. On receipt, I noticed the ring was below par as it had noticeable porosity marks at the top of the shank. I need to send this back to the US vendor but am unable to get a clear answer as to how to manage the UK import duties/VAT issues.

Having spoken to several UK customs and FedEx reps..these are the options I have been advised to use:

1) Submit a tax refund, send the ring back to vendor and pay tax again when it is shipped back to me - one of the FedEx reps suggested this.
2) Go through a process called "Outward Bound Relief" which apparently allows someone to send an item externally for repairs/under warranty without having to pay taxes again once it has been repaired and sent back - this was suggested by UK customs, but FedEx reps seem a little unsure about this. I am also afraid that if the right paperwork is not filed correctly going out and coming back in, I run the risk of paying another round of hefty taxes.

So, has anyone out there done a return from the UK? How did you go about it? Can you share your experience please, please, please?

I''m feeling more gutted by the day that this has happened, as my proposal date is only a few weeks away...and I still have to wait for FedEx to issue me the tax invoice (which takes up to a week) before I can pursue either options

thanks in advance

 

[arjunajane]

I am not in the UK, but Australia, but have been through similiar process. I am not saying everything will be the same, but maybe my experience will help you.

I would be inclined to listen to Customs, as they are the ones you will be paying in the end. If you can't get decent info from customs, have a look in the phone book for a customs broker or agent. They may be able to give more info.

From what I've learnt, you will only have to pay the customs charges on the cost of the repairs, not on the total value again. If you communicate properly with your vendor, they should be able to invoice you correctly for this so that is the declared value when it get sent back to you.

My story: I bought a ring, changed my mind once it arrived, wanted to send it back for an exchange on the diamond, didn't want to have to pay the customs on the whole amount again.
I had to apply for an export licence so there was a record of me exporting the item (not sure whether you will have to or not). When it came back, customs stuffed up and charged me for the entire amount (new diamond and setting again). I had to pay it so Fedex would release my package and send it to my house, but was advised I could apply for refund.

I submitted documents to a customs broker, proving the original purchase, the subsequent exchange etc. After 30 days I was refunded the difference in customs charges between the cost of my first purchase and the new one.
I have since found out you can do it all yourself without using a broker, and it cheaper and quicker. I could print the official forms off the net, then just fax them with invoices, emails etc proving the situation.

It sounds like I did something similiar to your option 2 - I was supposed to only be charged the difference, but they made a mistake. Don't fret though, as you can always make an application for a refund like I did. Hopefully yours will go smoother and they will get it right the first time.

I hope this helps a bit - no doubt our systems are different, but I also imagine the basics will be the same..
Pls let me know if this wasn't clear or you need more info.
regards
AJ.

 

[JulieN]

I believe it should be fine under 2. Say you sent it out for repairs in a few years from now. That would be what you would then use, of course.

 

[Lorelei]

I know one UK PSer has sent a ring back for repair, she might chime in if she sees this.

 

[Steel]

Im in Ireland not UK, but here is my experience...

Customs are a nightmare when you are first dealing with an issue but once you get used to it, they are fine.

I bought my ring from the US and sent it back a year later for re-set. Customs said it would be fine on re-entry but as a precaution ask the vendor to clearly state the returning item is a repair. When it hit fedex customs on the way back the vendor had listed the full contents of the parcel and insured for the full amount but only billed for the reset and new items. So, fedex customs only billed as usual on the % for the new items and repair cost. It was fine. Then never asked any questions.

Customs said to keep all orig documentation when you pay 1st entry of your diamonds customs so that you can prove it is legally in the country for subsequent repairs etc. I don''t know what would happen if you lost this info but I imagine there is a process.

I swore all sorts of nastys on customs on my first few encounters with them but it usually is ok. If they mess up - just cause hell and they snap back into line.

 

[duriantree]

Thanks for all the replies so far...!

It looks like (2) is the correct option to go for. I spoke to some guys from FedEx on the phone, and they said it will have to be done as a ''controlled shipment'' and charge an additional 30 pounds sterling on top of delivery fees for that (not sure if this covers export/re-import or one way only). The reps on the phone are not even clear on how to do that. I think I''ll have to pop into one of their counters to see if I can get better clarification.

I''ll post an update once I find my way around it, in case any future PS''ers have the same issues.

In the meantime, if there is anyone else who has done a temporary export to the US for repairs, please do share your story/advice.

thanks!

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 11/23/2008 5:18:20 AM
Author: duriantree
Thanks for all the replies so far...!


It looks like (2) is the correct option to go for. I spoke to some guys from FedEx on the phone, and they said it will have to be done as a ''controlled shipment'' and charge an additional 30 pounds sterling on top of delivery fees for that (not sure if this covers export/re-import or one way only). The reps on the phone are not even clear on how to do that. I think I''ll have to pop into one of their counters to see if I can get better clarification.


I''ll post an update once I find my way around it, in case any future PS''ers have the same issues.


In the meantime, if there is anyone else who has done a temporary export to the US for repairs, please do share your story/advice.


thanks!

Please do! We are in England and will be ordering from the US when it''s time, and the more info available, the better! I hope your experience goes smoothly!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/23/2008 5:18:20 AM
Author: duriantree
Thanks for all the replies so far...!

It looks like (2) is the correct option to go for. I spoke to some guys from FedEx on the phone, and they said it will have to be done as a ''controlled shipment'' and charge an additional 30 pounds sterling on top of delivery fees for that (not sure if this covers export/re-import or one way only). The reps on the phone are not even clear on how to do that. I think I''ll have to pop into one of their counters to see if I can get better clarification.

I''ll post an update once I find my way around it, in case any future PS''ers have the same issues.

In the meantime, if there is anyone else who has done a temporary export to the US for repairs, please do share your story/advice.

thanks!

Durian, I will try to catch someone who has done something similar, I will make her aware of this thread, so she might be able to answer later!

 

[Maisie]

Hi,
I have returned something for repair. I am literally about to serve dinner to my kids. If you give me an hour I will come back and give you a full report on how I did it.

 

[duriantree]

Oh that''s great...look forward to reading about your experience!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 11/23/2008 11:56:07 AM
Author: Maisie
Hi,
I have returned something for repair. I am literally about to serve dinner to my kids. If you give me an hour I will come back and give you a full report on how I did it.

Thanks Bruddah!

 

[Maisie]

When my ring needed resizing I called customs who told me I needed to use a special code on the package. It was called a CPC code. I can find out the exact number if you like. When you use that code it tells the person who processes your parcel that you are only temporarily sending your package overseas. I still received the invoice from Fedex as normal which I paid. I believe there was a £30 charge from Fedex for processing my package again.

If you don't use this code you will be liable for paying the charges all over again....which isn't funny if you have just paid your Fedex bill. It can take ages to reclaim the first payment if you get charged again. I am in dispute for another charge with customs which has been going on since July! You also run the risk that your vendor may have to pay charges when the item is returned to them.

I would call customs and tell them you need to use a CPC code on your package and that you are sending it back for repair. Tell them it will be sent back to you as soon as the repair is done and you don't want to have to pay the charges again. They may send you a form to fill in to accompany your parcel. They can email that to you and you can print it off.


Be sure to let your vendor know that THEY must also use the CPC code on your return package. If they don't it can cause all kinds of problems!!
If I can help any further just give me a shout

 

[LD]

FedEx will only charge if Customs tells them to so option 2 is the correct way. However, be warned, as mentioned above, you will still be charged another FedEx handling charge. What you could do is ask the seller to post back using UPS. Your package will go through customs again (and hopefully won''t be charged if it has the code on the package) and then will go to Parcel Force for delivery. Parcel Force don''t charge a handling fee if there''s no customs to pay.

 

[duriantree]

Hi Maisie

Thanks for your reply. Let me see if I got this right (and I also have a few questions below):

1) Call customs to get the CPC code

2) Instruct FedEx to use this code in the delivery. FedEx will charge an extra £30 processing fee to export to the vendor using this method.
Q: Does FedEx then handle all necessary export forms etc? You also mentioned some form will be sent, is that from customs or FedEx? One of the FedEx reps did send me a "Controlled Shipment Pre-advice" form but didn''t quite explain what that was for. Was this the form you had to fill or some other one?

3) Once the repair is done, request that the vendor use the right CPC code to send it back to me. Fedex will charge me an extra £30 processing fee to re-import it again via this method.
Q: But how does customs work out the link between the item that was temporarily exported out and then re-imported back in? Is there some reference number linking the 2 shipments? From what I know, the CPC would be a purely generic code.

Hope you can shed some more light!

Lovingdiamonds, thanks for your input. But the vendor can only send via FedEx. Since its a repair because of a defect, they are willing to cover the delivery costs.

Lorelei, thanks very much for getting me in touch...!

thanks again everyone!!!

 

[Maisie]

The code came from customs I believe. I called their helpline and they said that I had to use that code. I asked the vendor to email me a shipping form and I filled it in. Fedex ask that you do 4 copies and have them available on the pick up day.
I wrote the CPC code on the paperwork (quite large!) so that it was very visible. When the vendor shipped back to me they also wrote the code on the paperwork. I know its a generic code but the parcel has to go through customs so its noted down on their system that the code is there. When the parcel comes back the code is visible again so they cross reference it with the package going out there.

I think Fedex only charges the £30 once. Not both ways.

 

[duriantree]

Thanks Maisie...I''ll call customs for the CPC code, include that in the shipping form and keep my fingers crossed!

Thanks again for everyone''s input...!