Spoonflower import charges

[rabbitonthemoon]

So this month I splurged on about 55 quids worth of fabric and had it sent quickly as I was making a gift. Today I got walloped with a £20 import fee. Sob. I didn't know this would happen. I LOVE spoonflower. How can I buy without getting charged? Buy little bits? Does anyone know the limits, google hasn't really helped. Thanks.

Who charged you? I design on Spoonflower and have bought a few small pieces as well as had my designs bought...I have onyl ever spent about 20 pounds....

I spoke to Spoonflower when the site was really new and I was on their "board" and asked them about setting up a UK distribution centre...to cover Europe. While they thought it was a good idea, they couldn't afford it....

Who charged you exactly?

It will be VAT and the post office charge for collecting the VAT. Its about to 12.50 to the post office to start with.
I buy clothes for Dd from US sometimes I get charged sometimes I don't.

God that's awful! My MIL sends lots of gifts to us from Oz...can we get charged?

It was fed ex who sent the bill. I'm not sure if it was because I used the fast service. I waited to put in a bigger order to save postage so a bit of a slap in the face! It's made the fabric very dear but I don't want to not use it again. Maybe of I email spoonflower they could guide on what the cutoffs are. But twenty pounds...jeez.

My friend once sent me over some gifts for my DC from the US. Two t-shirts and a couple of soft toys. She got them for free from the company she was working from.

When they delivered it they wanted me to pay £75 for "import tax" even though they were gifts.

With the Post Office it's hit and miss whether you get charged. Maybe FedEx always charge so it's because you ordered express delivery.

from the Royal Mail website:

Receiving mail from abroad

All mail that enter the United Kingdom may be examined by customs, but normally letters, postcards and packets containing only documents or similar forms of correspondence are excluded.

If you are receiving a package from overseas (unless it?s from another EU Country), please be aware that it may incur customs charges. Any package assessed by HM Revenue and customs as being liable for customs charges will also incur a Royal Mail handling fee of £8.

Any goods imported into the UK over the value of £15 are liable to import VAT. Gifts between private individuals over the value of £36 are also liable for VAT. Goods and gifts over these values may also be liable for customs duty. You no longer have to pay customs duty for goods up to the value of £135, however you will still be required to pay import VAT and excise duty where applicable.

The £15 limit includes shipping too, so if you paid extra for fast shipping that will have made a difference. The onus is on you as a buyer to know what the Customs allowances and charges are, so it's not really worth contacting Spoonflower about it.

It is crap though. I import gemstones for my jewellery and try and put in larger less frequent orders as it's the extortionate admin fees that are a killer.

The instructions i have just say that a cool draughty room will increase the yogurt making time. It does say the milk should be at room temperature not straight from the fridge.

oops sorry wrong thread