The tortuous road from Aptos to UK

[GW0ETF]

Hello Brits,

A DVR for my K3 left Elecraft on the 6th of September en route for North Wales. It left the US on the 8th and 6 days later, after an email to Parcelforce, appeared on their tracking website as entering UK customs early on the 14th - and there it has remained ever since, apparently out of reach of Parcelforce to continue it's onward journey.

The helpful email from PF gave me an 0845 type phone number for HM customs but no doubt I'd end up spending ££s waiting in queues etc and 'saynoto0870.com doesn't come up with a 'normal' STD number (which would be free on my mobile..) so I'm being patient. I can't help feeling this is all a bit much and wonder what others have experienced lately with Elecraft orders to the UK, or even the EU?


73,

Stewart, GW0ETF


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[Nidge_(G0NIG)]

Hi Stewart

It's not that unusual, unfortunately.  Last month I ordered the XG-3 from
Elecraft.
It took just under two days to cross the Atlantic, then spent 10 days at
HMC.  I called
Parcelfarce and they informed me that HMC is suffering from a backlog and
low manning.

In Europe we probably feel a little remote from the Elecraft clan but I see
that
there is apparently an Elecraft distributor in Europe:

http://www.qrp-shop.de

Regards

Nidge (G0NIG)

IO93dv

-----Original Message-----
From: Stewart Rolfe
Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2011 12:54 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] The tortuous road from Aptos to UK

Hello Brits,

A DVR for my K3 left Elecraft on the 6th of September en route for North
Wales. It left the US on the 8th and 6 days later, after an email to
Parcelforce, appeared on their tracking website as entering UK customs early
on the 14th - and there it has remained ever since, apparently out of reach
of Parcelforce to continue it's onward journey.

The helpful email from PF gave me an 0845 type phone number for HM customs
but no doubt I'd end up spending ££s waiting in queues etc and
'saynoto0870.com doesn't come up with a 'normal' STD number (which would be
free on my mobile..) so I'm being patient. I can't help feeling this is all
a bit much and wonder what others have experienced lately with Elecraft
orders to the UK, or even the EU?


73,

Stewart, GW0ETF


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[Roger Dallimore-2]

There is also Carlo Bianconi IK4ISQ in Italy who is authorised to do
Elecraft repair work and apparently sells Elecraft equipment too.

He did a fast turn around in repairing my KPA-500 which had a faulty
component on delivery.  I was very happy dealing with him and he is
English speaking too.

73
Roger MW0IDX     PS I always breath a sigh of relief when I know that my
parcel from Elecraft has gone safely through HMC!

K3 #191
KPA-500 #286
K2 #2724
KX1 #416

" In Europe we probably feel a little remote from the Elecraft clan but
I see that there is apparently an Elecraft distributor in Europe:
http://www.qrp-shop.de Regards Nidge (G0NIG) "

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[Ken Chandler]

Guys
Always go via UPS.
My KPA 500 took just 4 days from CA to Thatcham, West Berkshire via UPS


Ken..G0ORH

Sent from my iPhone


     


On 18 Sep 2011, at 13:40, "Nigel \(Nidge\) Smith" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi Stewart
>
> It's not that unusual, unfortunately.  Last month I ordered the XG-3 from
> Elecraft.
> It took just under two days to cross the Atlantic, then spent 10 days at
> HMC.  I called
> Parcelfarce and they informed me that HMC is suffering from a backlog and
> low manning.
>
> In Europe we probably feel a little remote from the Elecraft clan but I see
> that
> there is apparently an Elecraft distributor in Europe:
>
> http://www.qrp-shop.de
>
> Regards
>
> Nidge (G0NIG)
>
> IO93dv
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Stewart Rolfe
> Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2011 12:54 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] The tortuous road from Aptos to UK
>
> Hello Brits,
>
> A DVR for my K3 left Elecraft on the 6th of September en route for North
> Wales. It left the US on the 8th and 6 days later, after an email to
> Parcelforce, appeared on their tracking website as entering UK customs early
> on the 14th - and there it has remained ever since, apparently out of reach
> of Parcelforce to continue it's onward journey.
>
> The helpful email from PF gave me an 0845 type phone number for HM customs
> but no doubt I'd end up spending ££s waiting in queues etc and
> 'saynoto0870.com doesn't come up with a 'normal' STD number (which would be
> free on my mobile..) so I'm being patient. I can't help feeling this is all
> a bit much and wonder what others have experienced lately with Elecraft
> orders to the UK, or even the EU?
>
>
> 73,
>
> Stewart, GW0ETF
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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>
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[Geoffrey Downs-3]

Yes but UPS is roughly double the cost of USPS for a KPA500, Ken. (UPS
around $400)

At the end of July my KPA500 kit came here to West Yorkshire via USPS,
Border Agency (HMC) and Parcelforce and I picked it up from Parcelforce
Leeds Depot exactly 7 days after it left Elecraft. Not bad.

In this instance, unlike other shipments I've had from Elecraft, the Border
Agency wrongly charged a small amount of Import Duty in addition to the
expected VAT as apparently they do sometimes for no clear reason. I'm at
present locked in discussion with them about reclaiming it which I'm told
takes time. Even if I never get it back though, it will all cost a lot less
than shipping by UPS.

73 to all,

Geoff
G3UCK

-----Original Message-----
From: Ken Chandler

Guys
Always go via UPS.
My KPA 500 took just 4 days from CA to Thatcham, West Berkshire via UPS



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[k6dgw]

On 9/18/2011 4:54 AM, Stewart Rolfe wrote:
> Hello Brits,
>
> A DVR for my K3 left Elecraft on the 6th of September en route for
> North Wales. It left the US on the 8th and 6 days later, after an
> email to Parcelforce, appeared on their tracking website as entering
> UK customs early on the 14th - and there it has remained ever since,
> apparently out of reach of Parcelforce to continue it's onward
> journey.

Despite some beliefs to the contrary, I actually was *NOT* around when
the Colonies numbered 13 so I don't know for certain, but I think there
were some problems involving transport of goods and beverage
ingredients, and timely collection of taxes for the Mother Country even
then.  Possibly led to some hostilities.

Good luck with the Global Economy :-)

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2011 Cal QSO Party 1-2 Oct 2011
- www.cqp.org
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[Ken Chandler]

Exceptional for  parcelfarce Geoff!
I note you picked it up which I think is the norm.
Back in 08, I purchased my k2/100 kit. Drove round trip of 100 odd miles to collect it, had to pay them £70 import duty( which is STILL not repaid) even though the commodity code was in plain view.
Since then all parcels have been by UPS
Hassle free and delivered to the door, the driver takes the hmc bit ie vat, job done.
Each to their own on this one Geoff, but one bitten, twice shy!
I'll stick with UPS, just for the service.

Ken..G0ORH.... K2, K3, P3, KPA500.
Elecraft, the rig of Dreams.

Sent from my iPhone


     


On 18 Sep 2011, at 16:17, "Geoffrey Downs" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Yes but UPS is roughly double the cost of USPS for a KPA500, Ken. (UPS around $400)
>
> At the end of July my KPA500 kit came here to West Yorkshire via USPS, Border Agency (HMC) and Parcelforce and I picked it up from Parcelforce Leeds Depot exactly 7 days after it left Elecraft. Not bad.
>
> In this instance, unlike other shipments I've had from Elecraft, the Border Agency wrongly charged a small amount of Import Duty in addition to the expected VAT as apparently they do sometimes for no clear reason. I'm at present locked in discussion with them about reclaiming it which I'm told takes time. Even if I never get it back though, it will all cost a lot less than shipping by UPS.
>
> 73 to all,
>
> Geoff
> G3UCK
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Ken Chandler
>
> Guys
> Always go via UPS.
> My KPA 500 took just 4 days from CA to Thatcham, West Berkshire via UPS
>
>
>

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[David Honey]

I have used international parcel post twice. The first time it got lost
and I had to wait about 2 months for a reshipment from Elecraft that did
get through. I don't think the original shipment was ever found. The
second time, it came to Parcelforce's international clearing centre
(somehere in the midlands). They erroneously charged me import duty
despite the fact that the correct tariff code was there on the
documentation. I wrote a letter of complaint and a claim for that to be
returned. I did get my money back after 2 months. Their excuse was that
their import duty system only allowed the first part of the tariff code,
and then chose the one with the highest duty! No apology, and this has
to rank as a pretty feeble excuse. I suggest you write a formal
complaint and a claim. On other occasions I have used UPS and each time
the service was faultless if expensive.

Regards,
David M0DHO
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[DaveL G3TJP]

Some horror stories there, guys.

 

I've had several sizeable shipments from Elecraft and all that have been
caught for VAT have just had VAT applied to them plus the service charge.
Usually, this takes 2 to 3 weeks overall.

 

I've also had quite a few small parcels and packages of spares through from
Elecraft with no problems at all.  Transit time has been 5 working days,
with a few exceptions taking about 10 working days.  It seems that if the
value of the shipment is declared as $30 or less, it escapes VAT.

 

The ParcelForce depot is about 4 or 5 miles from home and apart from odd
opening times, I've been able to pay the charges by CC either on the spot,
or by a 4 minute duration automated telephone payment system.

 

It seems I must count myself lucky so far with postal services, so I'll
cross my fingers and hope that it stays that way.

 

73 all, Dave G3TJP

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[Richard Squire - HB9ANM]

I ordered several K3's and KPA500's for fellow hams in HB9 and self.
Latest KPA500 was sent from Aptos Monday p.m. (i.e. Tuesday a.m. our time) and arrived this morning - .
that's five days, weekend included! Usually, il takes 6-7 days but never longer.
Looks like we're lucky here in Switzerland - which is good since UPS in this country is a catastrophe.
Thanks Elecraft, thanks US Mail, thanks Swiss Post, goodbye UPS!

73

[Geoffrey Downs-3]

Picking up is not the norm in my experience, Ken. I did it on this occasion
because it happened to be convenient, but Parcelforce's normal service is to
deliver within a couple of days of the VAT and handling charge being paid,
which can be done over the phone or on the web. Where they could improve is
in the speed of letting you know how much is due, but if you track the
parcel you can ring them to find out and pay as soon as it's shown as
arriving at the  local depot.

Sorry to hear you're still waiting for the £70 from 2008. I think you have
been unlucky.

73 to all

Geoff
G3UCK

-----Original Message-----
From: Ken Chandler
Exceptional for  parcelfarce Geoff!
I note you picked it up which I think is the norm.

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[Brendan Minish]

Just as a point of reference:

The Irish Postal system generally handles Elecraft (& indeed other
Shipments ) correctly and reasonably efficiently.

If the correct tariff codes are used then for lower value items they
ship them though and the postman collects a Cheque at the time of
delivery.
They use the full tariff code, not just the first part...
For higher value Items like entire K3's  the package is generally held
in Dublin and you are advised of VAT + handling charge by post. You can
pay by credit card or Check.



 

On Mon, 2011-09-19 at 14:31 +0100, David Honey wrote:

> I have used international parcel post twice. The first time it got lost
> and I had to wait about 2 months for a reshipment from Elecraft that did
> get through. I don't think the original shipment was ever found. The
> second time, it came to Parcelforce's international clearing centre
> (somehere in the midlands). They erroneously charged me import duty
> despite the fact that the correct tariff code was there on the
> documentation. I wrote a letter of complaint and a claim for that to be
> returned. I did get my money back after 2 months. Their excuse was that
> their import duty system only allowed the first part of the tariff code,
> and then chose the one with the highest duty! No apology, and this has
> to rank as a pretty feeble excuse. I suggest you write a formal
> complaint and a claim. On other occasions I have used UPS and each time
> the service was faultless if expensive.
>
> Regards,
> David M0DHO
> ______________________________________________________________
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--
73
Brendan EI6IZ

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[Kevin Luxford]

UK amateurs wishing to import goodies from Aptos without drama could
consider migrating to Oz.  We do have to pay a GST of 10% currently on
anything exceeding AUD1000 in value including postage.  Other than that,
in my experience, goods from Aptos get to the consignee with minimum
delay (like 10 business days or less).

You would, however, have to put up with converting to Australian Rules
and avoiding the Barmy Army section of the grounds during UK-Australia
test matches.

73
Kevin
VK3DAP / ZL2DAP

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