[beowulf67]

Which carrier is used for the economy shipping? I've used FedEx before and hate the way they keep slapping charges onto the shipment.
Does anyone have experience with Scotweb's economy shipping as it relates to customs charges?

Thanks.

[ForresterModern]

Make a specific request to have your items shipped via Royal Mails if possible, as the customs attention is less rigourous with them than it is with Fedex. Fedex acts as its own customs agent, and to keep their license to do so intact they are very strict about charging any customs when due or possibly due, in addition to tacking on their own fee for being the handling agent for the customs duty imposition. Gets very expensive very fast (like 60 bucks for a $300 kilt). Only a problem if your order totals over $200US in any single shipment. So if you are buying a lot you can break it up into multiple shipments by making them multiple orders, each under $200 if possible. Or use the Fedex for the cheap parts and request Royal Mail for the stuff you know is going to be over $200. Not a perfect system but about as good as it gets. Realize though that Royal Mails is relatively slow and can take several weeks to get across the atlantic from Scotland.

[beowulf67]

FM, thanks for the response. That is the kind of info I'm interested in.

When I got a kilt from Scotland before it shipped FedEx and they were more than happy to charge the crap out of me for customs and fees. One of their forms even showed the charges were based on the "estimated weight" of the package which was twice the actual weight but of course they wouldn't adjust the charges.

Thanks again.

[Nick Fiddes]

FYI, Royal Mail simply won't accept packages over 2kg (c. 4.4 lbs) in weight. So with a package for example, it would have to be split into multiple consignments, multiplying the cost, and the possibility of one part going astray. We have no preference ourselves, other than wanting to have customers who get their goods speedily and reliably, so all we can do is advise on the alternatives. Generally speaking we find the people who pay for the upgraded shipping are the happiest. But everyone has different needs and preferences.

I'd point out yet again, too, that even with the legal import duties, your prices in the US still come out about the same as ours, since you escape our VAT tax of 17.5% (soon to be 15).

I'd also like to take this chance to remind North Americans that our prices are now about 30% lower than less than a year ago! You may think the dollar is doing badly, but the pound has done far worse!! That's very good for you buying from the UK.

Also (back to shipping) we are now also using DHL for some of our shipments, partly I have to say in response to the anti-fedex feeling from some people here. Our analysis so far is that their shipments are being treated in almost exactly the same way, as we expected. But if anyone prefers dhl for any reason feel free to specify this.

The only other way I know to reduce import duties (which we of course pay in the opposite direction too) is to falsely declare. We know some competitors do this. But we won't, as we believe in dealing honestly. So as I've remarked before, if the people you're dealing with will lie to one set of people to make more money, I think it's worth asking whether you can be confident they're telling you the full truth either. There's a lot of illegal forgery and substandard substitution in this trade now for example, and this isn't confined to the obvious 'tartan tat' merchants. Think about it. Sorry if this comes across as knocking competitors, but I'm just speaking my mind about dishonest behaviour that personally disgusts me.

[beowulf67]

Nick,
Thanks for the details! I have been watching the prices since the dollar started getting somewhat stronger. The item I am interested in is an 8 yard kilt in a 13oz wool. It would be kind of hard to split that up, I'd hope.

I'm still working out when I'll be able to afford the kilt but hopefully soon. I have to nail down some expenses on my daughters up coming wedding before I can splurge on myself.

[turpin]

I'm in a similar boat, except the tartan I want is only available in 16 oz. that would be pushing the 2 kg limit for royal mail.

[siva011]

Of course prices are better now then they were a year ago... because I bought mine a year ago and that's my luck!!!

I found my cost to be rather absurd. For one $450 kilt and 2 add'l yards of fabric, my total import costs through FedEx was $102, on top of the initial shipping cost. But what can you do? As long as we import they can charge the fees. I've worked for DHL and honestly don't see them being any better here. If the cost does wind up around the same as the VAT, then maybe look at the VAT cost of the product to determine what the "true cost" will be.

[turpin]

Kilts are assessed customs fees at 12.5%, but raw fabric is assessed at 25%. Add to that the Fedex fee for processing the enry (~$25). 12.4% of 450 is $56. assuming ~$60 per meter for the fabric at 25%, that's $30, getting close? ad the processing fees.

[Downix]

you know this thread has me nervous ordering a kilt from overseas now.

[turpin]

If you order from Kiltstore and get the free shipping option it'll likely come by surface mail (slow) and you have a good chance of not getting hit with a customs fee. even if you do you won't pay the Fedex Rip-off processing fee.