Colin Grigson
Bass guitarist - Bad News
- Location
- Slovakia
I work and live in Slovakia but continue to buy from U.K. based companies if they have products I like. I wanted to order a few items from Rapha and waited (mistakingly) to see if there would be any January sales - not on the products I wanted .. of course. I ordered 1 x Jersey, 5 x pairs of socks and a pair of earphones. My goods were dispatched as usual and were flown from Gatwick to Bratislava. On arrival I received an e-mail from DHL requesting the following :-
1. Power of Attorney (signed) giving them authority to act as my customs clearing agent.
2. Copy of my permission to reside in Slovakia.
3. Copy of ID.
4. Proof of payment ie. Bank or credit card statement showing amount paid, date paid, to whom and by whom.
5. Goods specification to include what it is, what it’s used for and if it’s part of some other larger item.
6. Register with Dept. Of Finance - send registration details including ‘registered importer number’ individual to me.
7. My original order to Rapha showing clearly individual ordered items and prices itemised.
Having had somebody at DHL collate these documents and prepare my goods for clearance prior to delivery I was fully expecting to have to pay something, but yesterday my parcel was delivered without any mention of payment and I breathed a sigh of relief that it was finally with me. Whilst not exactly putting me off ordering from U.K., it is a convoluted process to go through every time I do.
I wonder if it’s going to be the same (but reversed) for you good people ordering from EU now ?
1. Power of Attorney (signed) giving them authority to act as my customs clearing agent.
2. Copy of my permission to reside in Slovakia.
3. Copy of ID.
4. Proof of payment ie. Bank or credit card statement showing amount paid, date paid, to whom and by whom.
5. Goods specification to include what it is, what it’s used for and if it’s part of some other larger item.
6. Register with Dept. Of Finance - send registration details including ‘registered importer number’ individual to me.
7. My original order to Rapha showing clearly individual ordered items and prices itemised.
Having had somebody at DHL collate these documents and prepare my goods for clearance prior to delivery I was fully expecting to have to pay something, but yesterday my parcel was delivered without any mention of payment and I breathed a sigh of relief that it was finally with me. Whilst not exactly putting me off ordering from U.K., it is a convoluted process to go through every time I do.
I wonder if it’s going to be the same (but reversed) for you good people ordering from EU now ?