UK buyers from import anime?

[Prophet Hero]

Originally posted by ouijaouija
I happened to have bought some manga before these stupid customs charges came into use. Basically they literally open most packages to check what it is, and charge you for it. The price ranges from £7.50-£20. But thats not all. It also charges some other stupid fee, and VAT!!! So I happeed to have insured this dvd, the minimum was £100. it charged an extra 18.

As with many things in life it's often a case of size being important. UK customs simply cannot resist a big parcel, so be wary when buying DVDs in bulk.

However, this isn't always the case. I've ordered R1 boxsets, e.g. Ranma, YUA, online and because of the company's stock/shipping system they've got through without being touched by customs.

I ordered a single DVD from CDJapan and because they shipped it in a rather large box, I got hit. I ordered a single DVD from Amazon Jpn and because it came in a flatpack it was simply delivered through the letterbox.

Nothing I've bought from HK - ebay, Flora, DDDHouse - has ever been stopped (one plus point for jiffy bags), but then again I don't order in bulk.

I ordered Kenshin from CJV, which was stopped (small but bulky package), but because Bella made a rather 'generous' declaration I was only stung for around £8 customs.

Animeniacs states overtly that all international declarations will be honest and exact (which is fair enough), so I have not even bothered ordering from there and never will. I've never ever asked for declaration 'favours' from sellers and when I see 'discounts' on the packages I receive I return the favour by recommending the site and, when I've got the cash, buying again.