How 30$ worth of Unicomp keycaps end up costing 95$

[Peter]

Been ordering a few key-sets from Unicomp lately and the first one arrived (UK-layout)
after only 4 days, passed right through Customs and all was good, total cost including shipping 50$ ..

So, after 7 work-days the next set (DE-Layout) hadn't arrived yet -
But an invoice from the Customs-office had :

1 keyset = 30$
1 shipping = 20$
1 import tax (processing fee) = 26.50$
(Fixed amount covering the first line in the invoice. Each following line/item adds roughly 6$ !! )

Sub-total = 76.50$
+25% VAT = 19.10$
Yes, I'm paying 25% VAT on the bloody import tax !!

Total cost to me, less paypal-fees and conversion-loss =
95.60$ = 565.00DKr

Ouch ....
I want to become a citizen somewhere else !

PS :
The keysets are absolutely gorgeous btw !
You do need to perform a full re-keying, the dye-sub print doesn't match the original IBM ones .
I actually like Unicomps version better and their space-bar is better than the one on the very late IBM-boards .

[RC-1140]

ouch. 25%+import tax are ugly. Here in Germany we pay (in the simplified customs process which applies on orders under 700€) 17,5% flat. VAT and customs. How close to the German border do you live? Somewhere in Sydjylland? Do you know somebody in Germany maybe, who could bring stuff like this over the border? I'm living around 1 hour from the border, but from the other direction, but there are surely some other people living closer. Might be cheaper.

[dirge]

damn, would have passed you the DE set from Vax's board he's sending out to me bud. I was going to get a UK set to replace what's on it.

someone needs to set-up a limited company to avoid/evade/do jail time/ too avoid this..

[mintberryminuscrunch]

They screwed you!
You don't have to pay import tax for key caps. Only vat!!!!!!!111
http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dd ... e=20120527

[Peter]

They screwed you!
You don't have to pay import tax for key caps. Only vat!!!!!!!111
http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dd ... e=20120527

Yes, they DID screw me !
Unfortunately, I DO have to pay 'import tax',on EVERYTHING from non-EU countries, even NORWAY !!!!!,
over 15$, because what it actually means is
the processing-fee the postal-service charges to perform the customs-inspection

damn, would have passed you the DE set from Vax's board he's sending out to me bud. I was going to get a UK set to replace what's on it.

someone needs to set-up a limited company to avoid/evade/do jail time/ too avoid this..

Thanks for the offer but it's OK - it was just a test-run to see what they really look like and how Unicomp performs, shortly I'll be importing them 10 sets at the time and then the math is suddenly completely different ..

But yes, we should create some 'legal person' to deal with this stupid, price-inflating issue

[Findecanor]

I have been burned. I learned that import tax rate is different for different classes of items. It depends on how it is declared on the shipping label.

I collect Star Wars lightsabers, and sometimes I buy custom-made sabers or parts from other enthusiasts in the US to Sweden. If it is declared as "Toy" then the Swedish customs slap you with a 70% toll on the cost of the item and the shipping, and then there is a handling fee and 25% VAT (on everything I have mentioned) on top of that. An item that I had paid 800 SEK in total for ended up costing me 1700 SEK after customs.
However, when declared as "Collectible Statuette", the toll rate is zero and I get only the handling fee and VAT.
If it had been declared as "Unique Artwork", then there would have been no toll or tax at all.

In Sweden, you can appeal the custom's decision. (at least, you could do that a few years ago) You make a case of how their classification based on on their interpretation of the customs declaration is wrong, and present why and how it should be reclassified. They will then send you a new bill. You may have to wait a month, but it can be well worth it.

[Peter]

Findecanor,
I wouldn't be surprised if Sweden even has a 'Told-Ombudsmand' ?

However, in this specific case Unicomp can solve the problem .
They just need to set themselves up as a 'legal person' or 'corporation' (even better !) in the EU-market ..
That's what all the 'Lexmark' BS was all about :
The keyboards themselves are EXACTLY the same !! Down to the controller-chip!! and the stampings on the case !!

[domin8r]

It's not just Norway.. In the Netherlands we're getting screwed too!

Ordered a Ducky from PChome.. the Ducky itself was $40, shipping was $25.. allright so far. But had to pay another $40 in customs and brokerage fees :s

[sixty]

The Poker group buy ended up costing me almost 1000 Euros in fees and shit, as the fees are even applied to the shipping costs. It was a heavy hit at that time. Here is hoping 7bit can pull a miracle with the Phantom PCBs once they arrive.

[Ekaros]

Having someone else do the processing in toll can get expensive. Personally I haven't imported anything yet apart from very cheap Chinese junk. I just prefer to go for UK...

[Peter]

The Poker group buy ended up costing me almost 1000 Euros in fees and shit, as the fees are even applied to the shipping costs.

Ouch ..
Here they even want 25% VAT on the shipping-cost, really a bummer to look at the final invoice
and realize that you are paying nearly the same in fees and taxes as the item costs .
All of a sudden I understand why there are so many things you just can't buy in the EU-matket ..

[The_Ed]

America, Fuck yeah!

I don't pay any import taxes (well once for a few dollars, even though it was from Canada...). I buy anything from anywhere and it just arrives at my doorstep. The Chinese always bullshit the customs forms for me, free of charge. Anyone else here gotten a tank of butane shipped in a bubble mailer? I have. That's not legal, period. The postmaster here knows I ship keycaps worldwide and can't fathom how I can make so much from some bits of plastic.