I'm so excited

[Sparklez]

sad I know, but I ordered lots of nice beading goodies from a website in America, and I'm really excited and can't wait for them to arrive!!

Was only supposed to order a few bits and pieces to try them out, but I saw beads I'd never seen before and got a bit carried away, and with the exchange rate being what it is, who can blame me. (I got 32 inch strands of glass pearls for under $2)

I'm so excited, I'm gonna be checking for the postie every day, even though I know it'll take at least a week!

Anyway just thought I'd share

Carol

P.S. Anyone else use sites in the states and do you have to pay extra tax when it comes through customs?

[Potter Doodle Doo]

You sound just like me ... I nip to Tesco for a pint of milk and come out after spending £30 !

I get all excited when I purchase items over the net, especially from overseas. I'm like a kid on Christmas Day when it arrives.

I've ordered lots of things from the US over the years and to date (touch wood) have never paid any importation taxes. I have had some very nice suppliers though who send it through as a 'gift' rather than 'commerical / business' so I think that helps.

[littlesnuggler]

I've ordered a few things from the US and only twice got stung for customs. I think if you keep your orders down they can sneak through but be prepared for a big customs bill stuck on, just in case.

[Sparklez]

be prepared for a big customs bill stuck on, just in case.

Ok, how big is big? does it go on a percentage?

Thanks
Carol

[EMEvans]

More often than not you will have to pay VAT on the parcel before they'll hand it over, your lucky if you don't pay importation tax. I ordered goods worth $250 and had to pay £40 in charges and VAT (no income tax).

[Sparklez]

Oh well, guess I'll just need to wait and see. I'll just have to work any charges into the cost for any jewellery I make from the beads, same as I would if I was buying locally. Seeing as I saved soo much on the beads it shouldn't be to hard.

Not only was everything cheaper, the more items you bought the bigger the discount you got, and I saved nearly $150!!

thanks for your replies :)

Carol

[purplerhian]

I buy a lot from other countries, I have never had to pay import tax, but I have had to pay customs pretty much all the time.

The rules are I believe that you will be charged VAT if the package is worth more than £18 (obviously that means you can get more from the US at the moment with the exchange rate) or £30 if something is a gift. You will also be charged a handling fee from whoever delivers the package, anything from £4.50 for Royal Mail to nearly £15 for some of the couriers, like UPS or Fed Ex.

[Sammy Potter]

Hi Carol,

Let me know when they arrive what charge you get, I've been looking at crafty things myself but I'm worried about the charges when ordering from the US

Sam
:)

[Sparklez]

Hi Samm,

No Problem, will do.

Purplerhain,

Thanks, worked out roughly what charge I should get and I still think I'm going to have saved money.

Thanks guys
Carol

[purplerhian]

Yeah - that's the thing, isn't it?! Even when you add all the charges on top, it's still often cheaper to buy from the US!

[Solitaire]

Have you the website address Sparklez

[Sparklez]

Have you the website address Sparklez

PM'd you.

Carol

[silverthistlebeads]

Royal mail has just recently put the handling fee up too £8.00, though even with that I still think it can be cheaper to order from the US.

Francesca

[Sparklez]

Well, I'm all excited all over again!!

My goodies arrived today and I think I've died and gone to bead heaven! I can't believe how much I got for what I paid, and they put in some freebies to say thank you. Best of all I didn't have to pay anything extra when they were delivered. I'm going to a busy girl, just need to remember what I was going to do with them all!

Carol

[Daydream]

Just for you to keep in mind....I order all my supplies from 2 sites in the States and a couple of times, not with every order, I've ended up with an invoice from FedEx about 2 weeks after delivery. The last bill I had was £35 and that was on an order of around $300.

Still works out far cheaper than most UK suppliers though.

[Ballerinacaz]

hey, good for you, what website was it I might need to have a look at it :pile:
(dont ask about the smiley thought it looked cute lol)

[Sparklez]

Have PMd you

Carol

[Nijani]

Looking forward to seeing some of these beaded creations in April.

Roie:D

[Sparklez]

Hee hee, I still have a load of the beads as I can't decide what to make, but there are a few... which reminds me, must get green beads.

Carol