[Ger Bee]

July 9, 2008 at 11:51 am

You will always be charged VAT and Import duty at the rates already mentioned when purchasing from B&H NY.

Purchases from some Hong Kong sites offer no vat and sent via FedEx arrive free of charges usually. Anything sent by POST will attract charges usually, almost always in fact.

Hong Kong stores saying they PAY the Vat & Duty on your behalf ~ DON’T **** ~ so don’t bother with those guys, even though they will refund the charges to you on production of the appropriate Customs & Excise form, it’s a hassle and your goods are tied up in customs for some three weeks. An Post and Customs use letters ~ yes like back in the stone age and won’t accept credit cards either, so it’s more of a hassle.

UPS charge but will ring you and accept Credit Card over the phone payment.
FedEx charge via invoice after delivery, usually two months after delivery and they accepted credit cards over the phone.
An Post deliver to Customs & Excise. Roughly a week after your package arrives you get a letter. You have just a few hours to replay or the package is sent back. You can phone them to tell them you’ve received their letter they will wait for your letter and cheque or PO to arrive then. Package arrives second next day allowing for weekend obviously.

It’s well worth paying for a courier ~ you may not escape the charges but your goods arrive pronto!! :D