Any experience with shipping forwarders from US to UK/Europe?

[Flannelfoot]

Hi guys

I've had my eye on on tents & gear, and it is so much cheaper in the US (even after shipping and import tax/etc).

Unfortunately, the brand of tent doesn't allow their US retailers to sell to Europe. It's ridiculous that an Estonian-made, Swedish branded tent costs less in the USA than it does here, but there you go...

So, the outdoor retailer I've been e-mailing recommended I use a post forwarding service. He recommended "shipito" dot com. You pay them a fee, they receive the item from the shop, re-label the parcel and/or consolidate numerous parcels into a single package, then send it to you.

After a bit of snooping around online, I've seen loads of praise and an equal amount of complaints for this company, and others providing the same sort of service. "Myus" dot com is another one which gets a lot of mentions.

From the google searched conversations on other forums which I've just read, you get a lot of people with 1 post and no previous forum activity popping up & chiming in about how wonderful the service is. Shills? This forum is full of solid folk in my mind, so what do you lot think?

Has anyone hear had any luck with such a service?

Cheers

 

[santaman2000]

Never tried them (obviously; since I'm in the US) But I have a suggestion. Try them with something relatively cheap and see how it goes.

 

[Skaukraft]

I have a collegue who is competeing in drag race on a national level. He gets motors and parts sent over from the US on a regular basis.
He uses a norwegian company named JetCarrier (http://www.jetcarrier.com/) and he is very satisfied with them, never lost a singel part in transit, never any problems with payments, delivery or service in general.
I am not sure if they send to other european countries, but it could be worth asking.

 

[rik_uk3]

Add in VAT and import duties and see if its still a good deal, you may well have to pay them when the parcel arrives plus another charge for collecting the extra fees. I've had a lot from the States but its always forwarded over by friends out there.

 

[sandbender]

"...plus another charge for collecting the extra fees..."

Make sure the carrier you choose provides a door to door price listing all likely charges, folks like Parcelforce will charge you for adding the VAT to your purchase and possibly a few other charges if the mood takes them.

 

[rik_uk3]

Thats what I said

 

[sandbender]

Thats what I said

I was trying to reinforce your point, burned as I have been so many times.

 

[MarkinLondon]

If the gear was my own camping or fishing gear (not new) would VAT apply? I'm thinking of sending for my stateside kit. I keep hearing that it's too damn expensive to consider.

 

[sandbender]

If the gear was my own camping or fishing gear (not new) would VAT apply? I'm thinking of sending for my stateside kit. I keep hearing that it's too damn expensive to consider.

It can depend on the mood a person sitting in an office, even with the original receipts, they may charge you VAT and argue about it afterwards.

 

[BillyBlade]

Its a minefield. I've been burned before as have others on this thread.

It might be worth asking a stateside member you trust to forward it onto you for a consideration. I'm sure most of us would be happy to help them with Europe>USA so maybe they could look to do the same?

Either that, anyone here off to the US on holiday soon and can help you out?

 

[MarkinLondon]

Its a minefield. I've been burned before as have others on this thread.

It might be worth asking a stateside member you trust to forward it onto you for a consideration. I'm sure most of us would be happy to help them with Europe>USA so maybe they could look to do the same?

Either that, anyone here off to the US on holiday soon and can help you out?

How would a private person sending it be any different?

 

[Man of Tanith]

Cause then it's marked as gift rather than a sale. Of course that only works if it is a gift or your own belongings

Off topics where bouts are you in beds mate?

 

[MarkinLondon]

Cause then it's marked as gift rather than a sale.

Off topics where bouts are you in beds mate?

Near the Leagrave train station... and I haven't been in the woods in FOUR YEARS. It's driving me a bit nuts, actually, since I moved to England from Colorado four years ago.

 

[Man of Tanith]

Ouch!
Ever find yourself on Bedfordshire Cambridgeshire border gimme a shout

 

[BillyBlade]

As MoT said, then it is a gift from a private individual and not a sale from a registered company. It also becomes by default second hand goods.

In short, VAT chap has no further interest in you.

If you have a sea container sent by your 'mate' turning up at Liverpool docks once a fortnight, then that will change, but for the odd parcel here and there, common sense from HMRC applies.

 

[MarkinLondon]

As MoT said, then it is a gift from a private individual and not a sale from a registered company. It also becomes by default second hand goods.

In short, VAT chap has no further interest in you.

If you have a sea container sent by your 'mate' turning up at Liverpool docks once a fortnight, then that will change, but for the odd parcel here and there, common sense from HMRC applies.

that's good to hear. I'll look into it.

 

[BillyBlade]

Mark, I had a mate who did his flight training in Arizona. He used to send me things over every now and then. I never had an issue.

However, every time I have purchased something from a retailer in the US and had it send, I've been taxed. Every single time bar none.

 

[Teepee]

Mark, I had a mate who did his flight training in Arizona. He used to send me things over every now and then. I never had an issue.

However, every time I have purchased something from a retailer in the US and had it send, I've been taxed. Every single time bar none.

Same as, bar 2 from Amazon.com for which they have refunded me

 

[Flannelfoot]

I am not sure if they send to other european countries, but it could be worth asking.

Thanks for the Jetcarrier tip. I'll try to get in touch with them. Other than that, some American friends would really be useful!

I did buy a multitool from a lady called Charity Chimnee in the US. She helpfully ensured I did not get hit with import tax when it arrived in the UK. I think she is quite well known on British Blades, and very reputable. Might try dropping her a line...

If anyone else has experience with shipping forwarders, good or bad, it would still be good to hear about it here.

 

[Squidders]

My last Gene Ingram order (£400) arrived marked as "Camp Tool" and with a value of $20.

I didn't request it, Gene did it anyway - some people are just nice.