Getting a delivery from the UK.

Hello

 Pre Brexit I could receive parcels/packages from the UK or online stores in about a week, with no extra charges on delivery. Now, since Jan. 2021 there is so much more paperwork  at customs from a non EU country which slows things down  considerably plus the extra VAT & import taxes to pay on collection or delivery.

 Now my friends & I never shop with UK companies and discourage anyone from sending us UK based parcels etc. Some stores do allow you to pay taxes with delivery charges online but I still dont trust that this system wont incur extra charges ( sometimes more than the item you've ordered) ......prices also vary a lot

Cheers

Elinspain

Getting anything from the UK to Spain has become a nightmare since the 31st December 2020 no matter how well packaged, labelled & perfect paperwork you include. 

If you are lucky enough to actually get your parcel you will have to pay duty, if unlucky your parcel just wont arrive, no explanation, nada. It really is a lottery. There does not seem to be any tariff guide to refer to. So it seems to come down to which way the wind is blowing on the day of delivery and the mood of the courier. At  least Dick Turpin had the grace to wear a mask.

I fully agree with these posts.  On more than one occasion I have been charged more then the contents were worth in the first place. I buy quite a few things for cars and now do not use any UK based suppliers if I can avoid it.

If you see what you want on Ebay.UK go to one of the European sites like Ebay.de or even Ebay.es and see if you can find it there since there are no import charges from Germany, but be careful to check it's not being sent from the UK.  It always tells you where it's coming from.

As far as import charges go, there is no logic to it all, it's seems to be what they feel like at the time and you can't dispute it.  I hear there are now warehouses full of rejected packages as a result.  I doubt the sender will ever get them back.

One thing that caught me out is that duty is based on what you paid for the whole order and that INCLUDES the cost of shipping.  To me that is just not  right.

We were enticed to get my wife to send me a Tablet via Interparcel in the UK. It was only when I checked on the Forums that the problems became apparent. Interparcel must have known full well the huge problems everyone is having but made a delivery to Spain sound easy. 

The parcel was sent on the 20th of December and did arrive at Madrid customs on the 24th but since then nothing.

The parcel was insured but it usually requires a report to the police for theft to make a claim.

The problem is that the Customs Declaration clearly states what the item is giving a big incentive for theft to any light-fingered person.

What an absolute nightmare Brexit has been and the UK is just about to experience the full force of the beaurocuarcy of inporting and exsporting to and from the EU.

Yes, I have tracked many a parcel to Madrid where it usually arrives within a day or two of posting.  It then gets into the hands of the Spanish system and the tracking often disappears.  You have no idea who the carrier is and that's the point where you say goodbye to your parcel.  If I was to say what I really thought Alex would fall out with me, Happy New Year Alex  et al!!