Shopping / Shipping Services That You Know Final Bill With?

[AntonyJ]

Like many here I have been missing my semi regular visit to the US, to enjoy the place but also enjoy the shopping

My supplies of things like Bath & Body Works, US over the counter drugs like Tylenol, and foods / drinks that you just associate with the US. Add into the mix the cosmetics and other things for my sisters and nieces and we do miss our trips to the US!

I have been looking at these services that will buy and ship on your behalf, or they give you a US shipping address for you to use, and they send onto you.

What am struggling to find is one that can easily tell you the final real cost, once you add in import duty, VAT and the dreaded “handling fee”. All the ones I have seen are happy to tell you their amazing shipping rates, which is great to know, but not able to advise on what I might have to pay when things arrive this end, before I get my hands on the package.

Bitter experience over the years has reveled that the amount of duty, VAT and “handling fee” can often cost more than the thing you bought and shipping costs, and also annoyingly the fact that it is hit or miss that the package will get hit at all for these taxes – at least when sent via USPS / Royal Mail / Parcel Force.

Anyone used a service where they are able to advise of ALL costs involved?

I know I should be able to work it all out myself with a read of the HMRC web page, but thought I would ask the more savvy shoppers here