Digikey shipping to UK experience? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2016, 01:07:21 pm
content: Typically a pile of stuff I want to order is DigiKey only.Does anyone know how VAT/customs is handled, which shipper they use and whether or not this is going to be a PITA?

author: nogood
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2016, 02:50:13 pm
content: I can only speak for shipping to Germany: They (Digikey) fill out everything they can and UPS/DHL (I don't remember) asks for the VAT (19% in Germany) and do the rest.Maybe depending on worth of the shipment you have to pay more customs (in my case the shipment would have to be worth more than ~150€).

author: ovnr
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2016, 03:03:40 pm
content: Not UK, but close enough and verified on Digikey's site:You will have to pay VAT as usual on any imported shipment, but as long as you specifically order in GBP, there will be no additional fees or charges; you'll simply get a bill from UPS (probably) with the VAT charge; it arrives a couple weeks later or so. If you order £1000 worth of components, your total extra charge is £200 (assuming you guys still pay 20% VAT on everything).Also note the free shipping above £50.All in all, it's pretty transparent and convenient - no extra fees or a pile of fuss, just the initial charge + the VAT charge some time later. Should arrive quickly too.Do be sure to use GBP when shopping, and the .co.uk domain. If you order in USD (yes, even if your card is in GBP), you WILL probably get hilarious, nasty extra charges.

author: TassiloH
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2016, 07:21:05 pm
content: Hint: What nogood said about shipping to Germany is only halfway true: If you order from digikey.com with US$-prices, you get billed by UPS/Fedex for VAT and duty (and it is your problem if they mess up, I had that once, Fedex assuming an incredible several hunderd $ shipping cost when it was effectively free).If you order from digikey.de with EUR-prices, digikey handles the rder via their EU office and bills you VAT, duties already included in prices, no separate bill from UPS/Fedex/whatever, and you have the final amount at the time you pay for the order. I'd think it is the same if you order viahttp://www.digikey.co.uk/just in pounds.But the convenience comes at a slightly higher price (few %) for many items compared to ordering on the US website. But this is only relevant if you pay by credit card and have one that does not charge currency conversion fees.

author: Koen
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2016, 07:58:41 pm
content: Old email received from Digikey :QuoteIt's great.

author: Wilksey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2016, 12:53:37 am
content: I'm in the UK, and I have never been hit with customs / import charges, always turns up at the door.Maybe I have just jinxed...

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2016, 08:25:01 am
content: Quote from: Koen on May 20, 2016, 07:58:41 pmI presume any such that collection isn't cost-free, i.e. in effect there will be a "delivery charge" on top of the VAT. ISTR being hit with that when recieving something from one of the many Avnet divisions.

author: SteveyG
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 21, 2016, 08:42:10 am
content: If you order from the Digikey UK site as said there's no issues at all. Normally stuff arrives for me within a few days and never had any issues.

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2016, 04:02:35 pm
content: Brilliant - thanks all. Just plonked £200 so see what happens

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2016, 06:54:24 pm
content: Quote from: MrSlack on May 21, 2016, 04:02:35 pmAre you done yet? What was the outcome?

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2016, 09:20:04 am
content: Sorry completely forgot about this. Arrived surprisingly quickly. VAT was paid up front. UPS dude left it at the local shop despite me being in. No charges due.Probably less hassle than dealing with Farnell if I'm honest who tend to screw up most orders I send them.