UK Customs: 1 big delivery, or lots of small ones?

Author	Post
johnnymnemonic Member UK 23 Posts 7/03	Posted - Dec 18 2003 : 10:53PM With the news of the LasersEdge new $10.00 voucher for every $50.00 of DVDs deal, I am going to take the plunge and purchase some porn from them. I could easily spend $300.00 or so right now (my basket is at $150.00 already!) but is this a risky strategy with UK customs? Has anyone in the UK ever had any DVDs confiscated, and what can you do if it does happen? Also are the DVDs declared at full value - could you get stung for import taxes? Is it better to go for a few DVDs at a time, or loads in one go? Apologies for all the questions, just want to make sure the transaction goes right first time round! Cheers :) [Link]
Gabriel Nine Senior Member Firecracker 1273 Posts 8/01	Posted - Dec 19 2003 : 12:43PM I think the safest thing is to order a small number - things can still go astray even if the customs don't get 'em!! Laser's Edge don't declare full value. [Link]
samurai dai Member 449 Posts 2/03	Posted - Dec 19 2003 : 2:50PM I prefer Fivestar and buy 8 discs at a time. Not once have I had a problem. I would recommend the 'Fedex International Letter' delivery method. It usually takes between 3-5 days. Samurai Dai [Link]
sonyse2t5 Member London 40 Posts 3/02	Posted - Dec 19 2003 : 7:29PM Five star religiously declares the full value of the dvd and you end up with custom charges!!! Not all dealer declare that to full value, I know...can't reveal details here. Screw the charges....the $30 upper limit is a joke! I got a package declared at $80 when it was double that, and not from FS Edited by - sonyse2t5 on 12/19/2003 7:30:50 PM [Link]
johnnymnemonic Member UK 23 Posts 7/03	Posted - Dec 19 2003 : 9:16PM Oh well, just placed my first order for 8 DVDs with Lasers Edge for $160-odd worth. Couldn't believe it was only 90-odd pounds? I love the exchange rate here! Here's hoping I don't get stung for too much with customs. I went for the $1.99 shipping deal as I'm not in a big rush, will let you know how it turns out. [Link]

sonyse2t5 Member London 40 Posts 3/02	Posted - Dec 20 2003 : 1:50PM you may get away with custom this way with that 1.99 shipping,if you are in the UK,but I will not use this service after waiting for 28 days for last order! [Link]
Joey Starr Senior Member Still wanking after all these years. 8082 Posts 10/00	Posted - Dec 21 2003 : 9:14PM The only risk you are taking by ordering large quantities from the US is having to pay duty, not confiscation. UK customs will typically confiscate DVDs with watersports, scat, bestiality, fisting, which you won't get from the US major retailers anyways. [Link]
Gabriel Nine Senior Member Firecracker 1273 Posts 8/01	Posted - Dec 22 2003 : 12:32PM Joey, there's also the risk of a large order going missing, for whatever reason, and the vendor being unwilling to replace it. Most of our favourite stores here are usually happy to help, but it's not always the case. [Link]
sdc Member 236 Posts 4/03	Posted - Dec 22 2003 : 1:35PM Gabriel Nine wrote: Joey, there's also the risk of a large order going missing, for whatever reason, and the vendor being unwilling to replace it. Most of our favourite stores here are usually happy to help, but it's not always the case. Click to expand Gabriel is right. There's no way I'd take a chance with the Royal Mail on an order of that size. I've just had too much go missing over the years. Most the reputable stores will replace items that are lost in transit but I'm not sure how many would want to replace 8 disks free of charge. SDC "If we couldn't have sex from time to time, what would life be? A futile struggle against joints that stiffen and caries that form." Michel Houllebecq [Link]
Gabriel Nine Senior Member Firecracker 1273 Posts 8/01	Posted - Dec 22 2003 : 6:10PM For what it's worth, I have had stores replace missing goods, even when they weren't obliged to, but it's important to check the small print - there are plenty stores out there who clearly state they won't replace goods shipped by non-traceable methods. Ironically, I didn't follow my own advice on my last order because I'd got a little blase about the sheer reliability of deliveries from Adult DVD Today. This one took a little longer and I was just starting to worry! [Link]
Joey Starr Senior Member Still wanking after all these years. 8082 Posts 10/00	Posted - Dec 24 2003 : 7:28PM Gabriel Nine wrote: Joey, there's also the risk of a large order going missing, for whatever reason, and the vendor being unwilling to replace it. Most of our favourite stores here are usually happy to help, but it's not always the case. Click to expand I see your point. Still I don't quite understand why people want to get that many DVDs in one go, it's not like like they know they'll be stranded on a desert island for the next month [Link]
apple All-Star Member U.K 5 Posts 10/03	Posted - Dec 25 2003 : 7:28PM Joey: Still I don't quite understand why people want to get that many DVDs in one go, it's not like like they know they'll be stranded on a desert island for the next month --------------------------------------------------------------- Err. Laseredge offer? [Link]
struan Member SCOTLAND 242 Posts 8/02	Posted - Dec 28 2003 : 6:51AM Joey Starr wrote: The only risk you are taking by ordering large quantities from the US is having to pay duty, not confiscation. UK customs will typically confiscate DVDs with watersports, scat, bestiality, fisting, which you won't get from the US major retailers anyways. Click to expand Unfortunately, It would seem that there is other stuff which Customs also ‘steal’, that IS supplied by US retailers’ e.g. Throat Gaggers. [Link]
Gabriel Nine Senior Member Firecracker 1273 Posts 8/01	Posted - Dec 29 2003 : 5:27PM struan wrote: Unfortunately, It would seem that there is other stuff which Customs also ‘steal’, that IS supplied by US retailers’ e.g. Throat Gaggers. Click to expand I must have been sleepy after the festive excess, and missed this one - is this a personal experience, Struan? From reading this board it seems pretty rare for UK customs to seize US discs, even if theoretically they should be. As to large orders, reasons can be, as mentioned, bulk buy discounts, flat rate shipping deals making it more economical to by several discs at once, avoiding the hassle of keeping track of several packages, discretion, etc etc... [Link]
struan Member SCOTLAND 242 Posts 8/02	Posted - Dec 29 2003 : 7:40PM Gabriel Nine wrote: struan wrote: Unfortunately, It would seem that there is other stuff which Customs also ‘steal’, that IS supplied by US retailers’ e.g. Throat Gaggers. Click to expand I must have been sleepy after the festive excess, and missed this one - is this a personal experience, Struan? From reading this board it seems pretty rare for UK customs to seize US discs, even if theoretically they should be. SNIP Click to expand No, I have seen mention of it on Melon Farmers - in addition, to take Throat Gaggers as the example, the R18 versions have been severely cut by the BBFC (as well as having their titles censored!!), which means that Customs have all the excuses they require (not that they need any) to seize, should they happen to open a package. I’m new to ordering from abroad, so I don’t know how likely it is to have US packages opened though. BTW, my latest orders, one from ADVDN, the other from EroDVD, were both stamped, but the Ero one also had an examination label on the outside and an explanatory note inside, neither of which were on/in the US package – does this mean that the US delivery was not opened? If so, what is the stamp for – I have had a few deliveries now, and these are the first to be stamped? TIA. [Link]

charlie Member uk 450 Posts 4/00	Posted - Dec 30 2003 : 5:34AM struan wrote: BTW, my latest orders, one from ADVDN, the other from EroDVD, were both stamped, but the Ero one also had an examination label on the outside and an explanatory note inside, neither of which were on/in the US package – does this mean that the US delivery was not opened? If so, what is the stamp for – I have had a few deliveries now, and these are the first to be stamped? Click to expand All packages entering the UK can be opened and inspected for prohibited material/substances etc. Anything with a green Customs Declaration label i.e. packages from outside Europe should have the label stamped. They are basically looking for any Tax/Duty that should be charged on the package. The stamp normally says something like "Inspected - Cleared" or words to that effect. If the package has been opened you will have a note inside and a sticker outside saying that it has been opened, inspected and resealed by Customs Officers. [Link]
Gabriel Nine Senior Member Firecracker 1273 Posts 8/01	Posted - Dec 30 2003 : 6:37AM Hi Struan, glad to hear you didn't get your own stuff nicked...I mean seized. While I am aware that potentially any goods can be examined, there seem to be very few posts here, if any, from UK readers saying their orders from the US have been examined, while it's far more likely goods from our friends at EroDVD will be checked out. An iniquitous situation considering we are supposed to be in a single market, but there we are. [Link]
John Pype Member I adore sluts 779 Posts 9/03	Posted - Dec 30 2003 : 7:50AM I've recently used Laseredge (DHL), AdultDVDToday (Global Priority) and Orgazmik (standard Swiss postal service) for delivery into UK. All were for a max of 3 disks. There were no taxes and no customs problems with any. My advice is to stick to small orders and vary the supplier. Having said that Orgazmik is very expensive compared to US suppliers. [Link]
johnnymnemonic Member UK 23 Posts 7/03	Posted - Dec 30 2003 : 10:43AM Well just had an e-mail from LasersEdge to inform me that my first title has been shipped at $1.99 and the other 7 are still in back-order status. Hopefully this means the chances of getting stung by customs are smaller. Its Anabolic's A2M incidentally, and Throat Gaggers 2 and 3 are other titles in the same order... fingers crossed anyway. Will let you know when I get them. [Link]
Clubber Member 186 Posts 4/01	Posted - Jan 1 2004 : 6:43PM I know lasersedge mark down the value of the goods on the package. But what I don't like is that they still declare the real value inside the package as well as your full cc details. This means that all customs has to do is inspect the package and they not only realise they've been dupped by the offical value listed but they also have full access to your credit card. I could never understand why LE do this, if the package went awol your'd be in for a whole lot of worry and headache. [Link]
johnnymnemonic Member UK 23 Posts 7/03	Posted - Jan 5 2004 : 5:09PM Just my luck, received an e-mail from Lasers Edge stating that 6/8 titles I ordered have just been shipped simultaneously. I was hoping that the stock would be "staggered", now if my package gets intercepted its $120.00 worth of DVDs! Oh well, learned my lesson for next time. [Link]
SFdottoo New Member London 2 Posts 1/04	Posted - Jan 6 2004 : 8:12AM I ordered 2 DVDs from Ero on 27/12 and have recieved nothing so far. Could be due to new year, but the fact that so many ero packages seem to be inspected and the 1 of the dvds was 'ben dover banned in britain' doesn't look good (the title will block it even if the content is fine) If they have stolen that one dvd, would they still send my other one? That one is ben dover back to the crack and should be fine. [Link]
struan Member SCOTLAND 242 Posts 8/02	Posted - Jan 6 2004 : 6:37PM SFdottoo wrote: I ordered 2 DVDs from Ero on 27/12 and have recieved nothing so far. Could be due to new year, but the fact that so many ero packages seem to be inspected and the 1 of the dvds was 'ben dover banned in britain' doesn't look good (the title will block it even if the content is fine) If they have stolen that one dvd, would they still send my other one? That one is ben dover back to the crack and should be fine. Click to expand I'm not an expert, but AFAIK, if any item is liable to seizure they will confiscate the whole shipment. FWIW, my last order from Ero (well before the Festive period) took longer than normal, and it had been opened by Customs. Edited by - struan on 1/6/2004 6:40:59 PM [Link]
SFdottoo New Member London 2 Posts 1/04	Posted - Jan 7 2004 : 2:33PM How long did you wait mate? Does anyone know by what criteria customs can seize dvds? Just by title alone? Also has anyone NOT had an ero package opened? [Link]
Lee O Forearm Trainer mmmmmmm........ after-birth 1193 Posts 8/03	Posted - Jan 7 2004 : 2:56PM I've ordered maybe 3 times from EroDVD and haven't had any of then opened by customs . Not that it would've mattered if they had , it was all fairly innocuous stuff and definitely legal in Blighty . Isn't that just the way though , you only get a problem the one time it could seriously inconvenience you ! BTW customs go ( sometimes ) by what has/hasn't been approved by the BBFC for distribution within the UK . Sometimes forced cuts are made to titles to earn them the R18 rating , so that would make other countries' versions illegal . Then again , how often they check up on this God only knows . I had an order from Movies by Mail opened by our friendly men and women at customs , but received it ( slightly delayed ) in the mail with nothing removed . This even though the titles were Wicked versions of Marc Dorcel features , and had never been submitted in any form for classification by the BBFC . It all seems like little more than a lottery to me . I wonder how much is down to which particular customs officer opens your package . Edited by - Lee O on 1/7/2004 2:58:09 PM [Link]

struan Member SCOTLAND 242 Posts 8/02	Posted - Jan 7 2004 : 7:49PM SFdottoo wrote: How long did you wait mate? Does anyone know by what criteria customs can seize dvds? Just by title alone? Also has anyone NOT had an ero package opened? Click to expand I think it was circa 22 days. AFAIK, Customs should allow material “Depicting sexual activity between consenting adults which falls within the BBFC guidelines” (R18 certificate). This means that it only has to comply with the regulations, rather than necessarily having been submitted, and certified, by the BBFC. NB: Quote is from a Fax from Customs, which is dated September 2000 (not sent to me, but obtained from the Net at that time). [Link]
johnnymnemonic Member UK 23 Posts 7/03	Posted - Jan 22 2004 : 2:27PM Received A2M today, that was shipped on the 30th of December 2003, so 22 days using their standard $1.99 shipping method. No problems with customs. Just got to wait and see for the next order. [Link]
johnnymnemonic Member UK 23 Posts 7/03	Posted - Feb 2 2004 : 4:24PM Still awaiting a Lasers Edge order that was despatched on the 05/01/04, so expecting the worst with regards to Customs. If the material is seized, do C&E inform me by letter or anything? Or do I just have to assume they've nicked it? Cheers [Link]
sdc Member 236 Posts 4/03	Posted - Feb 3 2004 : 6:05AM Johnny, I wouldn't give up on that order yet. I know it seems like a ludicrous wait but I've had disks take a month to reach the UK (from the states) on more than one occasion. The international postage system can be very unpredictable. In terms of theft, if customs seize the package they will send you a letter notifying you. If an anonymous postal worker seizes it you'll just be left waiting and waiting. SDC "If we couldn't have sex from time to time, what would life be? A futile struggle against joints that stiffen and caries that form." Michel Houllebecq [Link]
johnnymnemonic Member UK 23 Posts 7/03	Posted - Feb 4 2004 : 7:10AM Thanks sdc, don't think I'll be using their $1.99 shipping method again. I'll give it another week. [Link]
Tinaka Member 953 Posts 8/03	Posted - Feb 10 2004 : 6:02PM Can anyone explain to me how come Blissbox.com ship? They say they ship all orders from The Netherlands. However the parcels get to me with a UK postal mark and return address. Do they send them over taking all the customs risk then send them on to me (as i read in another post)? If so its damn fast cos i get the orders in 2-3 days [Link]
VZ New Member 1 Posts 2/04	Posted - Feb 14 2004 : 5:19PM I'm new to ordering DVDs on the net. Can anyone explain what sort of hassles you get from customs. Do they confiscate anything that isn't R18? Has anyone got any experience of sites that deliver from within the UK? Are they reliable? Thanks. [Link]