Buying direct in the UK

MedicalFlyer

MedicalFlyer

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Dash Cam
Mobius C Lens, Mini 0906, SG9663DC Pro, A229 Plus
Hi All,

Looking to get an A229 Plus 2ch setup to go with a new car and the prices on the official site seem pretty good. Not worried about waiting for shipping as the difference between there and Amazon UK is a fair bit with the extras.

Looking to grab the camera, HK4 fuse tap kit, CPL, and 256gb card.

Anyone have experience of getting one to the UK? Any issues with customs as the 20% would make Amazon about the same price?
 
I bought two cameras from VIOFO on separate occasions direct to the UK and there were no customs issues.
 
Excellent. Once I've got the car and an idea of what size crowbar I'll need I'll get one ordered.
Always like an excuse to get handsy with the fiddly bits.
 
MedicalFlyer said:
Any issues with customs as the 20% would make Amazon about the same price?
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For that amount, you should somehow be paying VAT and import duty, so it should be more than 20% I think, I haven't investigated for a while though, so I'm not certain.

And I think at that amount it is your responsibility to make sure they get paid.

For accessories only, you don't need to worry because they are normally below the tax thresholds.

If you want to not break any laws, then for cameras rather than accessories, it would be better to use Amazon UK, in which case you also get very easy returns in the unlikely event that you do need to return something. For accessories there is no issue with getting them direct.

If you do go direct, you may want to avoid the fast shipment, as I assume mentadent did!
 
Not worried about dodging the import fees as it looks like Viofo do the age old practice of marking it down (except for express shipping where more legit declarations are involved). Even with the last lot of changes that were made to the regulations not much has actually changed in practice over the years. Depending on the service used it would be 20% VAT + whatever random number handling fee the local delivery agent charges. RM and Parcel Force are getting quite steep lately. Despite the scare stories customs here are pretty slack for most individual packages. Most that do get flagged are more likely random checks or part of suspected shipments.

That or they do the other method whereby they send a bulk number of orders to a local agent as their own goods and then it gets labelled locally and processed. Very common if you ever see 4PX and others when using AliExpress and the like. These companies have some fairly big warehouses around the country and specialise in import/export from and to Asian markets.

Amazon is £350ish and Viofo is £240ish (about £290-320 if it does get hit with fees).

I buy plenty of things globally and some companies stick to the rules more than others. It's just handy to know in advance.
 
MedicalFlyer said:
Even with the last lot of changes that were made to the regulations not much has actually changed in practice over the years.
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For small values, a lot of companies are now collecting the VAT, and it is no longer your responsibility, which avoids all the customs checks and handling charges from the carriers, so is a big improvement, except that you have to actually pay the VAT! For large value items it is still your responsibility, so not much has changed, except that if you send it through the slow post, I think it is less likely to get checked now.
 
Yeah any items with a value below £135 that isn't a gift below £39 needs the seller to be registered with UK customs and to collect VAT up front (Ali Express does this for example so not always cheaper nowadays).
Goods over £135 are handled on arrival and it's down to the couriers/RM to ensure fees are collected.
That's if values are correctly declared or the item is inspected and deemed to be chargeable.

Certain things attract additional duties like alcohol and cigarettes.
 
Hello mate, looking on ordering the a229 pro from voodoo.com as it’s got a nice sale on at the minute only thing I’m worried about is being the unlucky one getting stung with customs, if you don’t mind me asking did you get stung with the custom chargers, thanks
 
Woodsy said:
Hello mate, looking on ordering the a229 pro from voodoo.com as it’s got a nice sale on at the minute only thing I’m worried about is being the unlucky one getting stung with customs, if you don’t mind me asking did you get stung with the custom chargers, thanks
Click to expand...
Viofo.com*
 
Hi Woodsy,
I've just placed my order with that sale so will have to wait and see.
It's been dispatched via 4PX who generally get things in to the destination country and then for the UK tend to use Evri (hermes) or Royal Mail for the final delivery.

Usually stuff via 4PX is rarely snagged but there is always the chance it will be so just be prepared for a potential 20% on top.

I got another 5% off my order using honey. I'm on my phone at the mo so can't copy the code over for you but might be worth checking it out.

Viofo UK have a code 'ashley' that was working the other day but the price is a lot higher.
 
Thanks for the response mate and yeah I found the Vancouver5% one thank you anyway I appreciate it. Not sure if I should chance it I’ve seen they have them in on viofo.co.uk but they are £330 so still be cheaper if gets caught
 
My camera just arrived. 4PX and Royal Mail delivery in 5 days from China. Very quick.
Hopefully get the front mounted up tomorrow if the weather's good and then work on a plan for a clean install to the tailgate.
 

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Managed to get a 10% code and ordered from VIOFO uk website so ended up being 311 with the Bluetooth button so far the A229 pro seems really good one thing I would recommend is actually using the screen films that come with the kit as mine is 100% not goin anywhere as I tried to take it off yesterday to remove it and it wouldn’t come off . Only real issue I’m having is with hdr seems too change colours every few seconds but I think that will hopefully be ironed out in future firmware update. Good luck with instal going to try hardwire mine in tomorrow been waiting for a nice day
 
I'm somehow confused about which model this topic is about....
A229 Plus or A229 Pro? Or all together...
 
Sorry it might of been about the plus I was just asking about the customs charges an thought I’d give a update
 
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