UK Product Testing & Imports Confusion

[Ben Armstrong]

Hi Folks,

I need some guidence/clarification on having samples sent from china to myself in the UK.

I am UK based and do a lot of product testing of items before they even hit the market. Most of the items come from China.

I am not a VAT registered company, I do it independently as a hobby and it has all been going ok. However recently, I have been getting hit with import bills from DHL.

I was wondering if anyone else has any experience with how to "avoid" getting hit with such bills. All the products I get sent are samples. They are used and tested, then disposed of safely once completed.

A year or two ago, I was advised to get an EROI number as due to the whole BREXIT headache, it would be required. I have this EROI number and I always get the shipper to mark it on the documentation/packaging, which has usually been fine up until about 2 months ago.

If anyone is able to shed some sensible light and provide any "tips" on how to "avoid" or reduce the fees on getting the samples, it would be appreciated.

 

[WaitFor1t88]

A few members have had similar issues with review samples, easiest is to not have them use dhl

@eyeball kid has a battle plan for combating dhl

 

[Mawsley]

They've demanded money from me for delivering stuff I didn't ask for or want...and then invoicing me a few weeks later when I can't say no thanks.

I've told them to fuck off and that I'll see them in court.

 

[Mitz]

A private individual is not entitled to any relief from customs charges on "samples".


"Commercial Samples Relief is intended for importations made for trade promotion purposes only. It is not available for personal property or for use by any private individuals."

https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...rting-commercial-samples-free-of-duty-and-vat

 

[eyeball kid]

Happening all the time now. I think the US trade arguments with China has caused a great deal of clamping down on sucking money out of cross boarder change. Even with dhl being technically European they are actually US based these day's.
Been having a mare with ups. I mean custom charges approaching fifty quid for a five dollar value item.
I've won my battles with ups so far but each takes a huge amount of time (the last taking from October to January with the item being held ransom in Europe the whole time). I've an item from dovpo in a "tug of love" lol, right now as UPS will not make note of your argument and you will have to 're start the process each time.
DHL are better and if it's just the usual £4.30 I'd urge paying it and calling it part of the process.
I've had DHL offer to drop any charge for review item's and sent me a form to fill out should I be billed but again but in general I pay the small fee as ultimately it was my choice to offer to review the item. Even though I'm a stickler for not keeping any item I receive it's still my choice to review and I enjoy checking the stuff out.
If you feel strongly just forward your argument to dhl customs. They've always been the most sensible to deal with.

 

[eyeball kid]

A private individual is not entitled to any relief from customs charges on "samples".


"Commercial Samples Relief is intended for importations made for trade promotion purposes only. It is not available for personal property or for use by any private individuals."

https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...rting-commercial-samples-free-of-duty-and-vat

Spot on.
As above, it's only due to the fact I'm unusually conscientious about record keeping in what I do with each sample that I've been able to put forward an airtight record kept where each review is posted and where that item went with the name and contact details of each recipient as proof of no profits made that I've received free passage.
So long and short is, always use dhl unless the vendor/manufacturer has a better delivery option (many do) and accept the standard £4.30 price per parcel. Only argue excessively charged items.

 

[eyeball kid]

I think the world of "influencing" ( shudder ) is causing a lot of issue's. Everyone expects thing's for free (not at all a poke at the original poster) so customs is catching up.
For anyone who wants to review or is offered items for review or enters competition's outside the E.U. (Soon to be the UK). Expect to have to pay your customs duty. Reviewers should definitely be aware of that plus the outgoings of posting items into competition winners (vendors often request you run giveaways as part of the review and send extra samples for that purpose). It's not cheap so keeping impartial and balancing the books is not an easy task. I only do the odd item and have accepted to do so means I am well out of pocket but if it's fun (no matter how terrible you are at it in my case) I'm happy to pay.

 

[Vaping Biker]

I've spent hundreds on customs and import charges for review items, samples, and development stuff. UPS are by far the worst company I've come into contact with, DHL has actually been pretty good for me - and don't demand cash with no receipt on the doorstep

Unfortunately, it's par for the course - at least it helps the tax bill a touch though

 

[eyeball kid]

I've spent hundreds on customs and import charges for review items, samples, and development stuff. UPS are by far the worst company I've come into contact with, DHL has actually been pretty good for me - and don't demand cash with no receipt on the doorstep

Unfortunately, it's par for the course - at least it helps the tax bill a touch though

Agreed. I've zero complaints about DHL. Reasonable pricing and easy to navigate website. UPS are griffters. Insane pricing and an unbelievable amount of pointless sub division that pass the buck when dealing with complaints.
I'd urge anyone ordering from China to use DHL if in a hurry and avoid ups at all costs.