Ordering clubs from States

[happyhacker]

Just wondering if anyone here has experience with ordering clubs from the States? I've got a couple of things I'd like to get and the USA EBay sellers have more choice and are close in price (even factoring in the £27 postage).

Sellers look good, good feedback and some appear affiliated with PGA (although I need to look into this to make sure it's legit).

 

[slicer79]

Having to pay customs/duty can be the problem

 

[moogie]

Just bear in mind that u will pay Import tax duty/ Vat and possibly a handling fee by the courier, then u will be fine
Could be 20-25% on top..........???

 

[thecraw]

I have bought a good few clubs from Uncle Sam.

My advice would be to ensure that they are posted with FedEx or UPS as they usually get your clubs to you within 48-72 hours and more often than not you don't get hit with the customs and import charges plus VAT. You can do but my experience has been that these companies are better overall.

Avoid USPS if at all possible, they are slow, very very slow then they use Parcelfarce at this end who are horrendous plus parcelfarce always add on an £8 handling fee and won't release your parcel till its paid or collected which adds further delays. I always ask to use UPS or FedEx even if its $10-$20 extra its money well spent.

You can grab some really good bargains.

 

[Ethan]

I have bought a good few clubs from Uncle Sam.

My advice would be to ensure that they are posted with FedEx or UPS as they usually get your clubs to you within 48-72 hours and more often than not you don't get hit with the customs and import charges plus VAT. You can do but my experience has been that these companies are better overall.

Avoid USPS if at all possible, they are slow, very very slow then they use Parcelfarce at this end who are horrendous plus parcelfarce always add on an £8 handling fee and won't release your parcel till its paid or collected which adds further delays. I always ask to use UPS or FedEx even if its $10-$20 extra its money well spent.

You can grab some really good bargains.

Likewise have ordered many clubs from the US and always prefer UPS/FedEx, to the point of being unwilling to buy if USPS is the only shipping choice. Some of the bigger retailers have excellent deals with shippers and get great rates. In contrast to Crawford, I haven't dodged VAT too often, but if the clubs and shipping are decent value then it is tolerable.

 

[happyhacker]

Thanks all for advice (especially about dodging USPS). That was the shipping option offered, eek!

 

[thecraw]

Thanks all for advice (especially about dodging USPS). That was the shipping option offered, eek!

If your in no rush to get the clubs than USPS is fine. They will get here, just not as quickly as with the other two.

C.

 

[dufferman]

I once imported £100 of goods from the ol' USA (parts for a guitar). Got whacked with a £40-something bill from the import people, I can't remember what for but I think VAT and handling and all that. Gotta be careful!

Apparently, if you ask the sender to either send it as a gift or put an invoice in there for £0.00 or marked as sample goods, you can get away with it. Apparently. I've never tried.

 

[thecraw]

I'm sure the limit is £130 now that you can import without getting whacked.

 

[MegaSteve]

In my experience of buying from US [not golf kit] its a bit hit and miss as to wether you get 'caught' for VAT etc... Some you win some you lose and certainly not worth an appeal...

Most US sellers won't 'fib' on the value on the customs declaration forms either these days [they used to]... As its now become quite a serious offence to do so I have been advised....

 

[happyhacker]

Also fibbing on the value has an impact on the insurance if something goes wrong or arrives broken. Been there done that on some electronics from the US.

Hmm I think I shall have to buy something tonight as a 'test run'!

 

[duncan mackie]

Most US sellers won't 'fib' on the value on the customs declaration forms either these days [they used to]... As its now become quite a serious offence to do so I have been advised....

very very serious...and even more importantly for most would normally result in a full IR audit of their personal tax returns.

 

[full_throttle]

I once imported £100 of goods from the ol' USA (parts for a guitar). Got whacked with a £40-something bill from the import people, I can't remember what for but I think VAT and handling and all that. Gotta be careful!

Apparently, if you ask the sender to either send it as a gift or put an invoice in there for £0.00 or marked as sample goods, you can get away with it. Apparently. I've never tried.

It used to be that way, HMRC now seize goods that have no value on them, then make a decision on the value and charge accordingly. And the reason I know this is... I work with them

 

[moogie]

Hmm I think I shall have to buy something tonight as a 'test run'!

Ive got 2 packages arriving this week from USA
UPS -- Golf Clubs (shock horror -- Ive bought MORE ) Will attempt deliver tuesday, but Im nightshift tonight, so will be in bed, hopefully Im awake when arrive
The other
USPS -- Golf Shafts, been in ''Awaiting Customs Clearance'' since 27th Sept.........so will arrive......?????

I will post back on here the charges I incur from both, and their Values, as a 'Guide' for others

 

[full_throttle]

I'm sure the limit is £130 now that you can import without getting whacked.

de minious value is now as low as £15 per person oer item, after that VAT is added, if the value is on the higher side Duty can sometimes be added as well, then you have to include the clearance fee £8 for a standard parcel and £13.550 for an expedited parcel


This may help......http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/customs-travel/customs/postal/

 

[Karl102]

I ordered a gap wedge for £20 and had to pay £30 duty before they would release it from Coventry.... Did it online easy enough though....

 

[Ethan]

USPS -- Golf Shafts, been in ''Awaiting Customs Clearance'' since 27th Sept.........so will arrive......?????

In Coventry?

Should get it for Christmas. This years, probably.

 

[pbrown7582]

I have stopped buying from the states, used to be hit or miss with duty etc but after getting caught 4 times on trot it made goods dearer than buying here. So in my opinion I would only buy things you can't find over here.
Approx 25% plus £8 parcel force charge is very annoying.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

As a complete luddite, is there really that much saving (£50+) to be made on say a driver or (£75-100) on a set of irons and is that clear profit or does it depend if you dodge all the taxes and duties. It seems from this thread and previous that it can be a lottery and for my mind it seems a lot of hassle for not much saving

 

[happyhacker]

There is not much in the price Homer, more to do with choice. I'm after a few things but one for example is an Adams 18 degree hybrid with UST shaft. Short of ordering it new it just doesn't come up second hand.

But with bigger market in USA for Adams it is quite common so you can pick it up for a comparable UK second hand price but with a wider selection. A bit of a hassle mind you as you say