Hey guys, This is more of a question to the members from the other side of the pond. Me and my freinds are coming over to Florida in November for a 2 week holiday. We have been before so this is not what the concern is. We are all into the gym big time and as such take a varied and colourfull supplement enhanced diet. By supplements I mean, multi-vitamins, whey protein, creatine and NO boosters. While we can get most of what we require in the UK it is pretty expensive when compared to the prices over in the U.S. What I am wanting to know is if we would be able to buy some of these items over there and ship them via USPS? I have had a look over there website and checked the prohibited items and can't see them being listed as banned. I have also checked the price it would cost for say a box which weighed 30LBS. I am a little unsure about how it would go with customs though, as in paying tax on the items or such? I am just looking for a little information before I go over there because once there I will go the nearest post office and ask them directly but wanted to see if anyone had any information to hand. Cheers Andrew
I know that in most cases, the exporting company will bill you for price excl. VAT (if there's a VAT system in place). Then you pay VAT when you receive the goods. I know that's the way that it's always worked with me, but i live in the far south (i.e. Namibia).
Well I will be the one shipping it when I am in America back to my house in the UK. I'm pretty sure I will have to pay VAT when I am sending it to not get it charged on the other side, but I shall see.
I don't see why you'd have to pay VAT when sending it to yourself; the USPS won't collect VAT fees and then send them to the UK, or at least I highly doubt it.
I don't see you having any problems shipping stuff back to the UK. I used to send supplements to my friends in Iraq and they always got them. The USPS charges based on weight and then they apply taxes. ex. 30lbs = $60 and the sales tax is 6%. 60 x .06 = $3.60 tax. Total: $63.60 to ship your item plus any other extras like package insurance. http://ircalc.usps.gov/ Note: I just listed the contents as gym accessories.
I assume I will need to fill in a customs form and thats where I will put it down as Gym Accessories? If thats the case then this may be a fruitfull holiday after all Cheers UrbanMarin!!!!
I don't know how physically large your pkg is but the USPS does have some flat rate boxes for Intl shipping. The large one is pretty good size and they don't go by weight. If it fits, it's flat rate. You may save some coin by doing a couple flat rate boxes. I use them for my wife's eBay store and the USPS helps with the customs stuff. If you are send from you to you and not a buisiness mark it gift and see what the Post Office says.
Try to find a source here in the states that ships to the UK. It will be a continued source after you use up your vacation purchase. If you are on vacation then you probably don't want to go through all this hassle. Use your time like there's no tomorrow because it all goes by rather fast. I liked seeing the Everglades and Disney World. Next month On November 14th, there is suppose to be a shuttle launch at Cape Canaveral. If you could see that in person then you really would have something that you can always remember. I went down to Key West once, but it is a very long drive. Unless you are planning on snorkeling or diving (soon) it wouldn't be worth your while probably. The places I've named are very safe. Unlike many other places. If you go to Disney World keep in mind that there is EPCOT. Between Disney World and Epcot you could spend a week there easily. This doesn't even count the water parks they have also. (This could also tie into the space launch if your timing is right.)
Should get through not problems. Just label it as a gift. I think so long as a parcel is worth under £30 customs won't touch it anyway.
Well we were in Florida last year and did the whole theme park thing. Will be visiting the ones we enjoyed again like Universal Studios and such. We did head down to Miami last year and are planning on going back this year and spending a day or two there. We won't be getting bogged down with the search for these things will most likely just do that on one of our rest days or such. Cheers for all the input guys.
