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International Buyers Beware!

Posted by Jethro Hazelhurst on April 10, 2014 at 7:27am

I spent 329.99 on 3DR products nearly two months ago. I received the package a month and a half ago, all good this far.

Now today, a month and a half after FedEx dropped off the parts I get billed for $100 in import and customs fees!

I don't know if it is because I chose FedEx (on 3DR's recommendations) but I am feeling thoroughly ripped, this was a very expensive purchase for me (as a student)...getting a bill demanding 31% of my entire purchase nearly two months...

Moral of the story, factor in customs to your budget!

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Replies

        • Mathieu > Jethro Hazelhurst April 11, 2014 at 3:29am

          Hi Jethro,

          I live in France too.

          And got punched by the custom tax as well (€80).

          But I was expecting it.

          Some companies cheat a bit on the value of the goods they send too reduce the custom fees.

          3DR doesn't :)

          Nothing new here.

          Got charged the same way for my orders to hobbyking international warehouse.

          I was so excited to get my hands on a Pixhawk that I couldn't wait.

          But if I was to order again, I'd order from a European reseller like altigator.com

          Less shipping costs and no custom fees.

          Cheers

    • Francis O'Brien > Jethro Hazelhurst April 10, 2014 at 12:16pm

      For me €75 isn't small change either but I suppose I've been buying stuff online long enough to know the risks. This was the first time I've actually been caught for import fees on anything.

      3DR do have a disclaimer in their terms and conditions but I know I never actually read these things unless something goes wrong.

      "For international orders, you are also responsible for any tariffs, taxes, fees, VAT, duties due upon receipt." 

      http://3drobotics.com/terms/

      What makes it more annoying for you is that you probably though you got away with it. For me my postman wouldn't hand over the package until I paid him.

  • Francis O'Brien April 10, 2014 at 11:54am

    Unfortunately it's just a risk you take when purchasing internationally. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. I myself got hit with €75 in charges this week for a Pixhawk with GPS and telemetry importing it to Ireland. It essentially worked out around the same price as if I bough from a EU based reseller. I don't think you can blame 3DR for it as the money is most likely going to your government. 

  • Rob_Lefebvre April 10, 2014 at 11:44am

    Jethro, are you in Canada?

This reply was deleted.

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