I'll answer my own post.
There are two ways in which you CAN avoid import tax, when your courier is UPS.
One: you are a traveller in the U.K., here for a temporary time.
Two: you are a student in the U.K.
Of course, you could also (if you know a student or a traveller) have the parcel delivered to their name and avoid import tax that way.
Anyway, what happens is as soon as you find out your tracking number, you call up UPS and ask them to track your order. You need to call the post clearance department. If you are a traveller, you tell them that, and ask for a c108 form. They'll ask you what the purpose of your stay in the U.K. is, and for how long you have been here. Additionally, they'll ask you to fax them a photocopy of your passport and your plane ticket. Once they get the fax, they will fill in the c108 on your behalf, and that is that. They will mark on the package that the C.O.D. has been paid, and send the parcel, tax free, your way.
If you tell them you are a student, then you'll need to ask for a C3 form. They will fax it to you (or they can mail it, but fax of course makes life much easier). You fill in the 4 pages there, and send it back, along with a photocopy of your passport and your univeristy acceptance letter. Once they get that, they will mark on your package that C.O.D. has been paid and all is well. No tax.
Now then, if you don't get that sorted before the delivery is scheduled (unless you postpone the delivery itself till a later day), then the driver will show up asking for money. Pay the guy, and then call up post clearance and ask for the appropriate form (either c108 or c3) and explain your situation. Once they have the form completed, they will pass it on to another department which will issue you a refund (they'll write out a cheque). This could take up to 2 weeks, so it's much easier if you actually get on top of things as soon as you have found out the tracking number.
There... 2 ways to avoid import tax when using UPS. I would guess that it would be the same with any other courier, such as FedEx, but I cannot say for sure, as I have really only dealt with UPS.
There are two ways in which you CAN avoid import tax, when your courier is UPS.
One: you are a traveller in the U.K., here for a temporary time.
Two: you are a student in the U.K.
Of course, you could also (if you know a student or a traveller) have the parcel delivered to their name and avoid import tax that way.
Anyway, what happens is as soon as you find out your tracking number, you call up UPS and ask them to track your order. You need to call the post clearance department. If you are a traveller, you tell them that, and ask for a c108 form. They'll ask you what the purpose of your stay in the U.K. is, and for how long you have been here. Additionally, they'll ask you to fax them a photocopy of your passport and your plane ticket. Once they get the fax, they will fill in the c108 on your behalf, and that is that. They will mark on the package that the C.O.D. has been paid, and send the parcel, tax free, your way.
If you tell them you are a student, then you'll need to ask for a C3 form. They will fax it to you (or they can mail it, but fax of course makes life much easier). You fill in the 4 pages there, and send it back, along with a photocopy of your passport and your univeristy acceptance letter. Once they get that, they will mark on your package that C.O.D. has been paid and all is well. No tax.
Now then, if you don't get that sorted before the delivery is scheduled (unless you postpone the delivery itself till a later day), then the driver will show up asking for money. Pay the guy, and then call up post clearance and ask for the appropriate form (either c108 or c3) and explain your situation. Once they have the form completed, they will pass it on to another department which will issue you a refund (they'll write out a cheque). This could take up to 2 weeks, so it's much easier if you actually get on top of things as soon as you have found out the tracking number.
There... 2 ways to avoid import tax when using UPS. I would guess that it would be the same with any other courier, such as FedEx, but I cannot say for sure, as I have really only dealt with UPS.
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