bloody customs...

[Pantomimehorse]

thanks guys Im going to try this weight thing see what they say, the thing is the supplier have allready sent a second lot but this time to my home address as this package was thought lost as I ordered it a couple of months ago, so Im wondering maybe the second one might get through? fingers crossed anyway.

I also have another plan if the weight thing doesnt work but careless talk about all that

[Ramon]

Did they open the parcel up take out the cigars and weigh them on there own or did they weigh the whole parcel, box included which may or may not be wooden? plus the weight of the packaging thus increasing the overall weight & cost.
Cant imaging actual cigar weight would be that much even for 25.

The package had been opened at the end, but the box not removed from the wrapping, so they could see what it was. Now whether they weighed the whole thing, or if they have a list of cigars with weights so they can work out the excise duty, I don't know. Not wanting to draw any unwanted attention to myself, and possibly any future parcels, I didn't query it.

[cj121]

[quote=Boss Hog;10839]

Please correct me I have mis-understood this but.
Did they open the parcel up take out the cigars and weigh them on there own or did they weigh the whole parcel, box included which may or may not be wooden? plus the weight of the packaging thus increasing the overall weight & cost.
Cant imaging actual cigar weight would be that much even for 25.

If the parcel has been unopened when you collect it at the Post Office I would question the charge with a superior type person there to justify it based on actual weight of tobacco and quote a few figures as provided by dave,
You never know your luck, you could get it reduced. What have you got to lose apart from ?165.

Now we're talking boys! My idea exactly. Get over to Cigar Review and find out the net weight of each stick. I reckon you'll be looking at a third of kg or thereabouts.
Gotta be worth making the effort. They assume peeps lie down and die. The law's there for everyone, so indulge yourself and do some homework mate.

[Ramon]

well they are Makers Mark robustos, I love the bourbon so bought them on a bit of a whim, bloody wish I hadnt now!, but open to ideas?

Just having a quick look round the web at prices, I take it the tax they want is more than you paid for them? The only thing you can do is either have them returned to sender, or take the hit and pay the tax. Contact the vendor and see if you'll get a refund if they're returned. It may only be a partial refund though, as he may be charged tax on them entering the originating country again. Either way I think it's going to cost something.

Not good, and they're not even Cubans. My bill was for a 50 cab of Punch, so I paid it, still cheaper than UK prices. You win some you lose some.

[Boss Hog]

[quote=Ramon;10835]

Looks like they only charged you VAT on the other charges there Ramon. Could have been worse if there was a value of the cigars on the package! /quote]

They charged VAT on the Import and Excise duty, the Excise duty is charged at the weight of the tobacco, not the value.

Please correct me I have mis-understood this but.
Did they open the parcel up take out the cigars and weigh them on there own or did they weigh the whole parcel, box included which may or may not be wooden? plus the weight of the packaging thus increasing the overall weight & cost.
Cant imaging actual cigar weight would be that much even for 25.

If the parcel has been unopened when you collect it at the Post Office I would question the charge with a superior type person there to justify it based on actual weight of tobacco and quote a few figures as provided by dave,
You never know your luck, you could get it reduced. What have you got to lose apart from ?165.

[Pantomimehorse]

well they are Makers Mark robustos, I love the bourbon so bought them on a bit of a whim, bloody wish I hadnt now!, but open to ideas?

[Ramon]

[quote=daverave999;10826]Looks like they only charged you VAT on the other charges there Ramon. Could have been worse if there was a value of the cigars on the package! /quote]

They charged VAT on the Import and Excise duty, the Excise duty is charged at the weight of the tobacco, not the value.

[Stogiedog]

Panto, unlucky mate, who did you order from?

[Boss Hog]

Unlucky mate, that's gotta hurt.

[cj121]

Which sticks were they Panto as I have an idea...

[Mr Moore]

shit

[daverave999]

Looks like they only charged you VAT on the other charges there Ramon. Could have been worse if there was a value of the cigars on the package!
Bad luck Pant.
*crosses fingers for my first parcel due to arrive soon*

[Ramon]

Bad Luck there. What was it you got and who did you order it from?

My last customs charge was for ?203 for a cab of Punch Punch at the end of last year.

The charges broke down like this:

Import Duty: ?7.80
Excise Duty: ?153.07
VAT: ?28.63
Parcel Force handling fee: ?13.50

Total: ?203

[Pantomimehorse]

ah that explains it then, the package is 2lbs acording to the website

[daverave999]

Cigars are charged at ?163.22 per Kg, then I imagine they add VAT on top of that and charge you a fee to tell you this.