Ordering Boxsets, hassle free, from the US

[CPM]

The only DVD’s I ever buy now are TV Show Box sets, and almost exclusively from UK companies. It’s been years since I’ve ordered anything from a US company.

However, I’m trying to get hold of the Complete Gilmore Girls Series 1 – 5 (please don’t ask why). As I understand it series 1 has only just been released here in the UK so I the complete series 1 –5 is only available in the US.

So I’m looking for recommendations as to where I can order it from. I would like to either avoid paying the import charges or pay them up front when I place the order, basically I’m trying to avoid a courier company turning up on my doorstep with a VAT/Duty bill and their bill for providing this service for me.

Amazon have the entire set for $200, but I would rather pay more up from to avoid the customs and delivery company hassles when it’s delivered.

Any suggestions?

[welshmatt]

I bought Seasons 1-4 from amazon.com (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/thedvdforums-20) when they were on offer for $30. This was just under the customs limit but they are now back to normal prices. I got S5 from dvdimport as they are customs friendly but I would advise against using them at the moment (plenty of threads with info on this).

Probably one of the only alternatives I can think of are Loaded247.com (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=639&id=30372) who are UK based so you dont have to worry about customs etc, but at the moment they only have S5 in stock (for £29.99). S1-4 have the status of 3-5 days which basically means they are not in stock - and in my experience cant tell you when they will so you could be waiting for months like I had to.

Sorry I cant be more help.

[IndianaJones00]

For Region 1 DVDs I always use either Loaded247.com (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=639&id=30372), CD-Wow.com (50p off!) (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.cd-wow.com/index.php?affid=15561) or Axel Music as they are all customs friendly.

[Nebiroth]

Loaded247.com (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=639&id=30372) if you want to avoid any issues with Customs, though you will end up paying the same price as you would as ordering it direct from the USA and paying the taxes.

I don't think there are any companies that let you pay the taxes up front - it just can't be done. It would require the stores to have arrangements with the Inland Revenues of every country they shipped to.

AFAIK the arrangements that permit Channel Islands companies to pre-pay VAT on goods to the UK is only possible because of the "special relationship" that exists between the Islands and the UK, and is a service between Jersey Post and UK Customs and Revenue.

Actually, it isn't that bad to pay the taxes; if you have the stuff sent by courier (DHL say), they will still deliver to your door and send you a separate bill for the taxes paid on your behalf, plus a small fee.

If it;s Royal Mail, you have the pain of going to collect your stuff from your "local" depot and paying what you owe then.

[CPM]

First of all, cheers for all your help.

Well according to Amazon.com (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/thedvdforums-20) the first 4 series are available for $30 each. Plus shipping it works out to be about $40 for each set, so about £90 in total if all four are shipped separately.

store4.com (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://scripts.affiliatefuture.com/AFClick.asp?affiliateID=17278&merchantID=461&programmeID=1634&mediaID=0&tracking=) have the complete series 1-5 for £180 delivered with all charges paid up front, which is the way I'd rather do it (plus 3-5 days shipping rather then Amazons 6 - 22 days), but the price is bonkers. Granted it doesn't include series 5 but from amazon that works out at another £30 ($39 + shipping).

So I think I will order it from Amazon.com (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/thedvdforums-20). Should I order one box set every two days or order all 5 at the same time but to be shipped separately (if you see what I mean) in an effort to avoid customs issue. Will a $30 (+ shipping) order fall beneath the Customs radar? I'm guessing that ordering the $200 boxset from Amazon will set off all sorts of import alarms at the Mount Pleasant Sorting Office.

EDIT: Wow! lots of little errors in this post.

[Bapapapa]

Will a $30 (+ shipping) fall beneath the Customs radar?

Yes!

[CPM]

Yes!

So the last question, Order seperate deliveries at the same time, or order over several days?

Once again, cheers for all the advice! :thumbs:

[Choccy]

seperate orders on the same day is fine as they will not put them all together.

[Nebiroth]

Indeed.

It's worth noting, though, that $30 is close to the limit - and that Customs will apply the exchange rate they are using when they process the package. NOT the one you paid when you bought the goods. Customs update the exchange rate every two weeks, I believe at present they are using £1=$1.76...

If the value goes over by just 1p, when they process, you'll get charged VAT and Duty on the value of the goods PLUS the shipping. And Royal Mail will charge you £4 per package on top. And you'll have to go and collect the stuff from the depot.

store4.com (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://scripts.affiliatefuture.com/AFClick.asp?affiliateID=17278&merchantID=461&programmeID=1634&mediaID=0&tracking=) is always expensive, about the highest one there is I think. Loaded247.com (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=639&id=30372) has them for £29.99 delivered.

[chachi]

If the limit's £18 as I think it is, sterling would have to hit 1.6666 for $30 to breach it, and that level ain't gonna happen anytime soon so wouldn't sweat it too much TBH

[Nebiroth]

If the limit's £18 as I think it is, sterling would have to hit 1.6666 for $30 to breach it, and that level ain't gonna happen anytime soon so wouldn't sweat it too much TBH

Correct - £18.

Sterling would have to depreciate against the dollar by around 4-5%. While unlikely, this is possible with goods taking up to 6-8 weeks to ship by surface mail.

I think the poster will be OK, but I felt that I should point out that there is often a difference between the exchange rates one uses to purchase goods, and the ones used by Customs when they process those goods on entering the UK.

It's a really bad idea to make up an order to, say, £17.80 and think you're safe (particularly as the pound has shown a slow but steady decline against the dollar over the last year or so, from it's heights of being worth nearly $2). Also, beware of going by the prices on sites that offer to show your prices in sterling; these can vary considerably, and are not the ones used by HM Customs.

The pound has fallen by nearly 15% against the Canadian dollar over the last year...or more accurately, the CAD$ has risen.

[chachi]

Correct - £18.

Sterling would have to depreciate against the dollar by around 4-5%. While unlikely, this is possible with goods taking up to 6-8 weeks to ship by surface mail.

I think the poster will be OK, but I felt that I should point out that there is often a difference between the exchange rates one uses to purchase goods, and the ones used by Customs when they process those goods on entering the UK.

It's a really bad idea to make up an order to, say, £17.80 and think you're safe (particularly as the pound has shown a slow but steady decline against the dollar over the last year or so, from it's heights of being worth nearly $2). Also, beware of going by the prices on sites that offer to show your prices in sterling; these can vary considerably, and are not the ones used by HM Customs.

The pound has fallen by nearly 15% against the Canadian dollar over the last year...or more accurately, the CAD$ has risen. Exactly, the recent foray below $1.74 signified continued near-term weakness, but there's been healthly buying interest at some levels which makes me think for the interim the downward pressure has eased a bit ;)

[Inigo Montoya]

customs exchange rates only charge at the start of every month and the current rate can be found on their web site - about 1.76

[Nebiroth]

customs exchange rates only charge at the start of every month and the current rate can be found on their web site - about 1.76

Indeed, and the current rate can be found here (http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageVAT_RatesCodesTools&propertyType=document&id=HMCE_PROD1_025026)

Sadly they don't use a webpage, but make you download a .pdf every time!

You'd think the Revenue of all folks could afford an online page, and a converter as well!