Lockpickshop extra customs charge!

[Rickthepick]

Anyone else has a massive customs charge in the UK after ordering from lockpickshop?

I hope this will be reimbursed

[weilawei]

A customs charge? I do believe they mention that certain items will have to be shipped via UPS and will incur large charges, at least 2X the US prices (http://www.lockpickshop.com/shipping.htm). Everything I've seen suggests that shipping from the US to the UK via UPS is prohibitively expensive. They only seem to mention customs into Canada, though I'm pretty sure the UK charges as well.

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPort ... #P124_9119

That seems to suggest to me that you'll be charged based on shipping price as well, further jacking it up.

[Rickthepick]

jeez. I thought it would be cheaper to order from US and cut out the middlemen in the UK.
Maybe not.
Live and learn

[maintenanceguy]

...

I hope this will be reimbursed

Are you suggesting that the seller should reimburse you for fees you were charged by your government or is there a system in place in the UK to get your customs charges returned to you by the government.

I'm in the US. Not familiar with customs charges.

[Rickthepick]

nope the charge is not what i thought it was. My loss im afraid.

[MacGyver101]

It's the same in Canada... anything shipped by UPS across the border gets hits with a ridiculous brokerage charge: it's usually at least $50 more than a regular postal shipment. I've had so many problems with them that I'll usually not buy something if UPS shipment is the only option.

[af_newbie]

With anything shipped by UPS or Fedex you will be paying taxes and duties plus some brokerage fees. Fedex charges "Allotment Fees" which they say are really administration fees for paying taxes on your behalf.

When ordering from US, try to ship it regular post. Picks can be shipped by regular mail. You don't pay any taxes or duties.
It is a regular letter with some "strips of metal" attached

I ordered some keys and practice locks from bumpmylock.com, did not pay any taxes or duties. It took a while but I got my stuff in regular mail.

Stay away from Fedex/UPS. These guys are crooks.

[weilawei]

af_newbie, there are actually legal restrictions on using the regular post for shipping locksmithing devices.

http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=46741

This just goes to show that even a seasoned lawyer can learn something new every day....

NB: This unofficial compilation of the U.S. Code is current as of Jan. 8, 2008 (see http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/uscprint.html).
- 1 -
TITLE 39 - POSTAL SERVICE
PART IV - MAIL MATTER
CHAPTER 30 - NONMAILABLE MATTER

§ 3002a. Nonmailability of locksmithing devices
(a) Any locksmithing device is nonmailable mail, shall not be carried or delivered by mail, and shall
be disposed of as the Postal Service directs, unless such device is mailed to—
(1) a lock manufacturer or distributor;
(2) a bona fide locksmith;
(3) a bona fide repossessor; or
(4) a motor vehicle manufacturer or dealer.
(b) For the purpose of this section, “locksmithing device” means—
(1) a device or tool (other than a key) designed to manipulate the tumblers in a lock into the
unlocked position through the keyway of such lock;
(2) a device or tool (other than a key or a device or tool under paragraph (1)) designed for the
unauthorized opening or bypassing of a lock or similar security device; and
(3) a device or tool designed for making an impression of a key or similar security device to
duplicate such key or device.
(Added Pub. L. 100–690, title VII, § 7090(a), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4409.)

Here is the follow up that answers the questions you may have about the penalty for violation of this law:

TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I - CRIMES
CHAPTER 83 - POSTAL SERVICE
§ 1716A. Nonmailable locksmithing devices and motor vehicle master keys
(a) Whoever knowingly deposits for mailing or delivery, or knowingly causes to be delivered by mail
according to the direction thereon, or at any place to which it is directed to be delivered by the person
to whom it is addressed, any matter declared to be nonmailable by section 3002 of title 39, shall be
fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
(b) Whoever knowingly deposits for mailing or delivery, causes to be delivered by mail, or causes to
be delivered by any interstate mailing or delivery other than by the United States Postal Service, any
matter declared to be nonmailable by section 3002a of title 39, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned
not more than one year, or both.
(Added Pub. L. 90–560, § 2(1), Oct. 12, 1968, 82 Stat. 997; amended Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970,
§ 6(j)(26), 84 Stat. 780; Pub. L. 100–690, title VII, § 7090(c), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4410; Pub. L.
101–647, title XXXV, § 3551, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4926.)
Amendments

Looks like we have to use UPS or Fed EX for shipping these items and NOT the US Mail.

[af_newbie]

weilawei,

Looks like UPS and Fedex lawyers wrote this "law". It is a bad law.

I think if anything, both Fedex and UPS should be charged for breaking the law.

[weilawei]

weilawei,

Looks like UPS and Fedex lawyers wrote this "law". It is a bad law.

I think if anything, both Fedex and UPS should be charged for breaking the law.

This is federal law and your opinion doesn't change the legality of it.