Videogames+CA and Tronix-Avoiding customs?

[famitsu1]

Hi,
never ordered directly from the states before and was wondering what the above companies are like with regards to helping you avoid the nasty UK customs man over here.Are there any specific shipping methods that will help you in your cause of not getting stung by customs?Any info greatly welcome.
Ta famitsu1

[Geoff D]

Both of them will mark package values down - worth mentioning it in the comments box when you place your order, just to make sure.

As long as you don't order too much in one go, you should (fingers crossed) be ok - I've never been hit from either of them, using standard Global Priority or Airmail for 1-2 games.

[Friction]

Hi Famitsu,

I've ordered numerous times from Tronix and avoided customs many times.

Using Global Priority is often a good choice but now that Tronix do Fedex shipping for a mere $13 (which takes only 2 days!) that is the best choice IMO.

As far as order amounts though asking them to mark things down is always good (as mentioned before).

I've found over the last 2 years at least when I order one game and have it sent by Fedex the value is marked as $0 and I pay no duty.

If I order 2 (The max you can get in a Fedex flatpack envelope for the $13 charge) they are marked around the $40 mark and I pay say ?10-?15 in duty (ouch!) Not everytime to be fair but you need to consider it.

Tronix to be fair are brilliant when it comes to marking goods down. I ordered Final Fantasy 11 (with HDD) for my PS2 back in March. Value was supposed to be $100 but they shipped (Fedex) with a value much less - around $40 or so if I recall. The guy in charge told me it couldn't be shipped with a $0 value but he would mark it low and make it look like a demo/promo unit - which he did! There was an invoice inside showing $0 value and giving me a date in which I was to return the item - I supposedly had it on 2 months evaluation!

I did get taxed on the item but only about ?12 - total spend all in was about ?90 which was quite cheap considering!

If you are at all concerned I would fire off an email and ask them about what they can do - To be honest though if you just ask when you order you will be fine

I've only used VG+ once and didn't get taxed, so I do not know too much about what they can do.

Hope this helps

Dave

[Ciaran]

Everytime I used FedEx from Tronix I got caught for customs. If your not in a rush and don't want to pay customs use Global Priority.

[Len]

Well being a good customer of vgca's and ordered a lot of stuff from them I can happily say I have not once been caught by customs. They mark all single games down as $20 on the package so there's no reason for you to get clobbered.

Like said above, just mail 'em to discuss if yr still unsure or just go for it, you'll be fine...

[Hitcher]

VG+ always mark games as 'Gifts' and the value $20.

[famitsu1]

Hi,
huge thanks to you all for all the really useful info,its greatly appreciated.Armed with the necassary knowledge I will go and make a few preorders and get myself a copy of Riddick for the xbox right now.
Thanks again famitsu1

[gossi the dog]

With Tronix I've always used the cheapest shipping option. I always ask them to mark the value of any items I purchase to be no more than US$25 and to mark it as a gift if possible. Tronix have always done this no matter how many games I purchase. So a thumbs up from me

[gizmo1990]

A quick question regarding VGCA... Do they mark orders for several games as $20?

I want to get a couple of GBA games but I'm unsure whether to order them seperately (double the p&p) or together?

[ElAlcesDiablo]

I think VGP charge $5 an item for shipping regardless.

[hankwangford]

A quick question regarding VGCA... Do they mark orders for several games as $20?

I want to get a couple of GBA games but I'm unsure whether to order them seperately (double the p&p) or together?

I ordered Mario Vs. Donkey Kong and Link to the Past together a few months ago. Can't remember how much was marked on the package but it came through untaxed (bearing in mind LTTP was cheaper due to the fact it had been out for a while).

[gizmo1990]

Sorry I didn't mention that its customs I'm interested about! Doh!

Would I get charged duty if I ordered both titles together, therefore saving on p&p but pushing the cost above 18 quid. Or should I order seperately doubling the cost but getting away with not paying customs?

Basically do VGCA mark multiple orders as still $20??

[hankwangford]

That's what I'm saying Giz - I ordered 2 GBA titles together and only paid what VG+ charged. No duty, no customs, no tax once they hit the UK.

[Hitcher]

Basically do VGCA mark multiple orders as still $20??

Yes.

[gizmo1990]

Cool, thanks guys.