What is the difference between Parcelforce and Royal Mail?

Question

I shipped a package to my friend in UK from USA on April 24th. It arrived at British Custom on May 5th. My friend missed the delivery. She received a note. When she went to the local post office, they told her that the package was at Parcelforce (?). She had to arrange the re-delivery. What is this mean ? We are both concerned.... It had nothing illegal inside and the content declared value was under £40 being sent as a gift.

My concern is ...

1) Why Parcelforce is handling my package instead of Royal Mail ?

2) Will there be any charge for her ? (VAT, Custom, other tax and fees ?) it was sent as GIFT and the content was under £40. But the shipping cost from USA was higher than its content at £34 totaling in £69.

Answer 1

2.4 Gifts



Goods sent as a gift that are over £40 in value are liable to import VAT. Customs duty also becomes payable if the value of the goods is over £135 but is waived if the amount of duty calculated is less than £9.



To qualify as a gift:



the customs declaration must be completed correctly

the gift must be sent from a private person outside the EU to a private person(s) in this country

there is no commercial or trade element and the gift has not been paid for either directly or indirectly by anyone in the UK

the gift is of an occasional nature only, for example, for a birthday or anniversary



Note: if you purchase something from outside the EU to give as a gift to a relative or friend, whether or not addressed to that person, it is treated as a ‘commercial consignment’ for which the import VAT relief threshold in paragraph 2.3 applies.





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With Parcel force basically what they is is ;



If there is duty to be paid They will either write informing the person and inviting them to pay on line. Or make an attempt at delivery and asking for the amount on the doorstep They will only accept cash Plus £8 for themselves for each parcel. If there is no one at home they will leave a card asking for the person to contact them at their call center to make arrangements



Check your tracking log and look at the last entry, to see the currant situation and what depot it is in. Most likely at the Rocket Trading Estate near the end of the M62 but there may be another

They can collect in person taking relevant ID

Answer 2

I am a Royal Mail Letter Carrier.



1. Parcel Force is another business within the Royal Mail Group however its best description is its Royal Mails Courier Service.



2. No no charge for VAT she would have got a different card which would directly mention VAT and an Admin fee.

Answer 3

Parcelforce is a part of Royal Mail that handles parcels of a certain size and weight. Can not envisage any problems at all. Simply arrange a new delivery.

Answer 4

I really do think Guri's answer is deliberately misleading. I send and receive many parcels and 'Parcel Force' is far more efficient, fast and reliable than the privately owned courier companies

Answer 5

What the difference in terms of delivery? Is it paid for in advance?

Answer 6

That is why the Post Office is dying. Like most government organisations in the UK, they are totally useless and haver forgotten how to work.



Go quickly or they will sell your goods at auction!