Fed Ex and VAT

[maverick]

I've sent you a PM mate hope it helps they come under works of art as far as I know, also if your previous were charged at 5% then they have set a precedent there IMHO and that should be the proof they need.

 

[Swantiago]

I seriously cannot go SS direct for anything other than exclusives.
Just got the Kaneda figure.

200 dollars + 25 freight. I ended up paying 37 euros tax + 10 euros fedex fees. The fedex fees were than vated at 21% too so the buggers claimed another 2 euros off me.

Grand total 49.09 euros.

I only got Kaneda direct because Flex Pay is handy. Never again!
Im also waiting on my Final Battle John connor Bill and my GI JOE DUKE bill.

Bollocks!!!

 

[vodoun]

€49 for a 1/6 figure? why is their customs fees twice as worse compared to Parcelforce... £20/€23 minimum for import fees if you're stung.

If thats the case the shipping was half that €49 from SS.

 

[Alice Adrenochrome]

I seriously cannot go SS direct for anything other than exclusives.
Just got the Kaneda figure.

200 dollars + 25 freight. I ended up paying 37 euros tax + 10 euros fedex fees. The fedex fees were than vated at 21% too so the buggers claimed another 2 euros off me.

Grand total 49.09 euros.

I only got Kaneda direct because Flex Pay is handy. Never again!
Im also waiting on my Final Battle John connor Bill and my GI JOE DUKE bill.

Bollocks!!!

Sorry to hear this. Flex pay is a trap.
Pretty soon after SSC changed their shipping policy towards EU customers it was clear that ordering 1/6 scale from them is murder. I cancelled a lot of my pre orders, only kept what I couldn't get elsewhere (exclusives).

I received my Medicom Kaneda from an Asian store today (no Ebay), and I payed no more than 170 € ALL IN*.

I know, SSC can't be blamed for the taxes our countries charge us. They can't be blamed for the handling fee FedEx charges us. I can't be blamed for trying to get a better deal.

*to be honest, I think 170 € is still a lot of money for a 1/6 scale figure.

 

[Bullseye]

It appears that this new shipping arrangement is hitting figure collectors the most. Its not as bad for PF or 1/4 scale collectors.

 

[Monkey_Djinn]

Help!

I've just received my Fedex bill for my Gandalf statue. They want £66.06!! I was expecting around £20, in line with my previous orders. From reading this forum, it looks like I've been charged the 20% VAT.

Tax Code Information
A B C D E
B00 S £56.06 F

What do I need to tell them and quote them when I contact them?

 

[fett1972]

Sideshow are applying a different harmonized code. I have just received my invoice today from Fedex in relation to VAT charges for my Bucky PF. I was surprised to find that I had been charges at the 20% rate which resulted in a charge of £40.17 + £10 handling, in total £50.17.

This was due to Sideshow stating Harmonized code EU9503.00.9990 - other minature statues of Polystone on the commercial invoice instead of the normally used 9703.00.0000- Original Collectors sculpture.

I rang Sideshow and was informed that this is the code that they have been using and shipping are aware of 'issues' and I am unclear if this will be the standard from now on, although I believe many customers have been/will be impacted.

Not sure if I can dispute this charge with Fedex, but buying direct from Sideshow may have got more expensive for us customers in the EU! At the end of the day this is Sideshow's fault and nothing to do with the Customs at our end.

 

[Senketsu]

Got an invoice today myself for the PCS Morrigan I ordered from Sideshow. £45.97 for a $250 statue (I used a gift card)!

Whilst I'm relieved that it's not just me that's been stung I totally feel for Monkey_Djinn, fett1972 and anyone else on this thread that's been hit with higher fees.

If this is the way SSC are shipping to the EU from now on then I might have to stop collecting 1/4 scale after the Cyclops and Rogue PFs ship. It's all getting way too pricey.

 

[fett1972]

Just spoken to Fedex and was informed there is nothing we can do as the VAT charges have been applied correctly based on the description of the goods (as a result of the Harmonized code) supplied by Sideshow. Not sure where this leaves us but I don't think I can be bothered with the hassle. Will be easier if I cancel all my orders as I don't want to take the risk with any future direct purchases.

 

[DinoLast]

Just spoken to Fedex and was informed there is nothing we can do as the VAT charges have been applied correctly based on the description of the goods (as a result of the Harmonized code) supplied by Sideshow. Not sure where this leaves us but I don't think I can be bothered with the hassle. Will be easier if I cancel all my orders as I don't want to take the risk with any future direct purchases.

Sounds like Sideshow messed up by not labelling the product correctly, so they should reimburse you
Yes you have to pay VAT on a PF, but there should be no duty

 

[fett1972]

From my discussuions with Sideshow it appears ther are now using 3 new Harmonized codes. Each one will result in UK customers being charged VAT at 20%

 

[Alice Adrenochrome]

Well, if I remember correctly, SSC never used the "Original Collectors sculpture" code for PF's and other polystone figures shipped to Belgium. We always had to pay 21% for those. For everything, in fact. That's why I drastically decreased my orders from SSC since they closed the EU warehouse. I found a lot of things cheaper elsewhere. You just can't get exclusives else where.

 

[Senketsu]

Just spoken to Fedex and was informed there is nothing we can do as the VAT charges have been applied correctly based on the description of the goods (as a result of the Harmonized code) supplied by Sideshow. Not sure where this leaves us but I don't think I can be bothered with the hassle. Will be easier if I cancel all my orders as I don't want to take the risk with any future direct purchases.

I hear you, mate. I cancelled all my pre-orders too, except for Cyclops and Rogue. I can just about stretch my budget for those two pieces but the rest can wait unless/until I see them in a sale on Forbidden Planet or something later on. It's a shame but I'm not paying £50+ VAT every time; no way.

 

[Monkey_Djinn]

Ah right, this is a shame. I have a few items on pre-order with SS, so will have to think about if I want to continue with them. It's annoying as I like some of the EXs and I like the flex pay option.

 

[fett1972]

A member on Statue Forum has been informed by Sideshow 'that the change is down to EU customs telling them that the 5% does not apply and has been used incorrectly in the past, they now have to declare items using different commercial invoices or face heavy fines hence the 20%. There's no arguing it with customs.It's not Sideshows or Fedexs fault but our governments'

That's the end of direct purchases for me. Probably the end of collecting Sideshow pieces entirely.

 

[Monkey_Djinn]

Well I've just cancelled two items, undecided about another 3, cos of the EX thing.

 

[fett1972]

I think this will have serious impacts on sales for Sideshow

 

[Monkey_Djinn]

One step ahead of me. I'd just emailed SS to complain, but if it's not their fault, then that's life I guess. Oh well, I was running out of room anyway.

 

[Senketsu]

Well I've just cancelled two items, undecided about another 3, cos of the EX thing.

Good luck with your decision, Djinn. If you really want the Exclusives then it may still be worth it; it won't be any cheaper picking an EX up from within the EU on eBay, I doubt. (In fact, I expect EX prices on the 'Bay in Europe to skyrocket now; sellers have to make their money back and make a profit, after all).
Really, it's all down to whether you're willing to make allowances for the increased VAT charges.

 

[fett1972]

The way I see it if someone is not willing to buy exclusives direct from Sideshoe due to increased VAT costs they will not pay even more inflated prices by buying from ebay