I've just checked my UPS tracking this morning, and here is the latest update I got : " Shipment is held to verify commodity description with the customer for correct classification. " Do you guys have such problem with your customs ?
Just the once - my Shapeways delivery was held for 5 days for 'inspection' - the blighters hadn't even opened the package or stuck any labelling on it :evil:
I've just found following info in Shapeways shipping tutorial: " Goods shipped outside of the EU will be described to your local customs as plastic or metal goods. " at the Duties and import tax section. Maybe the model should be described in the name of the category the designer had assigned for it. This will help get the right classification at customs. I'm going to put this into feedback. You guys are welcome to vote for it.
I think customs will hold the package till the right classification is made. If there is tariff, it will be charged anyway. But writing the right classification on invoice at first place will make that process finish quickly. -- My poor experience during years of international business.
My latest package was held up in customs since 9th, July, it's still in customs. That's a week in customs !!!!
Can items for delivery in the EEC be nominated as priced and delivered from the Holland location VAT inclusive?.
Items delivered from Shapeways to EU member countries attract no duties but have the destination country VAT rate applied to the final price (including shipping cost). This is automatic if you have the correct shipping details in your account details
So the Delivery Address triggers this, and there should be no further Customs or Excise charges on the item?
Most of the info regarding EU member countries is in the Shipping Info linked to from the FAQs, and Shapeways are very forthcoming with info too
An invoice for an order I placed in March 2012 carries 20% VAT, orders since have 20% and orders last year and previous have 19% - I'm a UK, not VAT registered user so presumed UK VAT law changed sometime earlier this year, something I shall need to look into.
If with "last" and "previous" you mean 2011 and 2010, things don't match. UK VAT was 17.5% before, and raised to 20% in January 4th, 2011.
With the tragic slowdown of the UK Economy and another loss of 0.7% GDP in the last 3 months, it would be a popular measure for them to put VAT back to 17½% to retrieve the situation.
The first order I placed for myself this year (2012) was in March and has 20% VAT, all orders (2010 thru 2011) before this order had 19% VAT and all orders since March 2012 have 20% VAT. I did some digging yesterday and as far as I can make out for non-VAT registered pruchasers, items coming into the UK from within the EU must have UK VAT applied to them or they'll be seized by customs which conflicts with the 'general rule' of paying the VAT rate for the country purchased from. I'll phone the VAT people today (I meant to yesterday but forgot).
It would be nice to have someone from Shapeways contribute to this thread. I have done dummy runs, and there are problems, choosing Pounds Sterling, and choosing delivery out of country of originating Order.