Thread: UK Members. Have you Bought From Classic Shaving

Just wondering who in the UK has bought from 'classicshaving.com'

I'm considering buying my first str8 from them and a strop from Tony, but I'm wondering how many of you got hit with import duty and VAT?

Looking to spend around $130 on a str8, which would include honing by Lynn. I'll have to look at Tony's prices when he re-opens his shop front on 20/04/08

Haven't bought from classicshaving yet, although I've filled up my basket loadsa times then had 2nd/3rd/4th/5th thoughts as I battled with the RAD.

I have been hit with import duty, though. Can't recall if it was on Tony's strops or Howard's stones.

Originally Posted by welshwarrior

Haven't bought from classicshaving yet, although I've filled up my basket loadsa times then had 2nd/3rd/4th/5th thoughts as I battled with the RAD.

I have been hit with import duty, though. Can't recall if it was on Tony's strops or Howard's stones.

Yeah, I've done exactly the same thing. It's not just the import duty and VAT that stops me from placing the order, it's how much will the post office want for collecting these taxes for HM Customs and Excise?

If it's exessive, then there will be no financial insentive for buying from the US.

If I understand things correctly, import duty is 3.5% of the purchase price (Including postage and packaging). If however, the 3.5% comes to less than £7 it is waived and I would only have to pay VAT at 17.5%.

Sorry to be useless, but I honestly couldn't remember. If they'd have said £100 I prolly wouldn't have blinked as I tapped my PIN in cos I was so excited waiting for them to arrive!

I seem to recall around £16....

I've used them about 15 times. Every time they ship direct to me (about 10 times) I get stung for import taxes/duty due to the massive and eficiant customs declaration sticker.

However every time they send a razor via Lynn (4 or 5 times), it arrives far more discretely packaged and seems to come in under the radar.

So buy paying for honing it usually works out cheaper, in my experience.

Tut Tut!

That's a very useful piece of information.

So by sending a razor to Lynn for honing it could actually work out that I get the honing for FREE! I LOVE IT!

I think I might well pull the trigger in the morning.

Well, going by my experience yes. But please don't take that as gospel obviously!

Couldn't wait 'til tomorrow.

Here's what I've ordered Thiers-Issard "Evide Sonnant Extra" Black, 5/8 with sharpening by Lynn. Woo Hoo!

Postal charges for delivering to customs and then to yourself is around £8 but on priority items it is around £13 - check the Royal Mail site it has all the details. Do you have any relatives friends in states? It can often be a healthier way to work. The most annoying part of the customs deal for me is the long wait as it sits on a desk - sometimes a couple of weeks - and the exorbitant extra charge by the PO for holding it up for so long. Price is still right stateside rather than euro though, no matter what.

Originally Posted by Steelforge

I've used them about 15 times. Every time they ship direct to me (about 10 times) I get stung for import taxes/duty due to the massive and eficiant customs declaration sticker.

However every time they send a razor via Lynn (4 or 5 times), it arrives far more discretely packaged and seems to come in under the radar.

So buy paying for honing it usually works out cheaper, in my experience.

Same experience here, although I have only purchased from them once. Lynn, identifies the the item purchased as Razor sharpening (A service), whereas classic shaving labels it as shaving supplies (Actual goods). I think this may be why I didn't get hit for any charges when it was delivered via Lynn. And as far as I can see, no one is actually tricking the system (ie. no lies have been told), it just works out this way.
As for customs charges, there are several categories which determine the level of VAT and/or Duty to be paid on an item. My items from classic shaving (Which arrived seperately), seem to have incurred VAT at 17.5% and no Duty charges. But the post office do charge a flat rate of 7 pounds for collecting the VAT for customs and excise.
Looks like you should be OK though.