How does this work?

[dunlinii]

I don't think I've every paid a fee, because its normally just a bill for a couple of pound, but I will check. That does seem a bet sneaky charging 10% to remove the VAT though.

[Fibre-Lyte]

The last non-europe package we got sent here was with DHL (I think) and they certainly added an admin charge. I'd have to check our last FedEx bill, but did you compare the duty you should have paid versus what you did pay Yps and were the they same? Just a link for you I quickly googled, they mention FedEx admin charges here

[dunlinii]

Thats kinda surprises me the link does. Thats a lot of money.

[Fibre-Lyte]

I'm not totally sure of the rules and regs these days dunlinii, but the absolute minimum you should have to pay is 20 percent VAT (used to be 17.5 percent). There is also customs duty which can vary considerably depending on the product. If I remember rightly, import duty on cars used to be around 20 percent, but I'm not sure about bike parts. This might help you understand things a little more?

[dunlinii]

Thanks for the link, as I say, I've never thought about it before, I just assumed the fee you get from the delivery company was for what I thought of as 'taxes'. But yeah, thanks.

[pritchet74]

If you go and pick it up then you get refunded the VAT when you leave the country I believe. Good excuse for a Germany trip, no?

Perhaps you have the frequent flier miles for a free Europe trip?

[stumpytrunks]

As much as I like to support the LBS, when we can get say bike tyres cheaper than the Australian distributor sells them to the LBS I have to go with my wallet.

Cheaper than the Australian importers cost price at times for at least one brand!

[Gumgardner]

I tried to contact AX. No response. ActuallyI haven't had a response from them in over 2 months.