you don't have to wait for the letter. As soon as tracking shows it's at your local depot you can go pick it up pay duty etc., just need the RM tracking number. I've done it many times and without problem. Usually the letter arrives a few days after I've picked up the item!
That's greatOriginally Posted by Not_the_DJ
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The problem is that if there's a hold-up, it's not at Royal Mail/Parcel Force, it's at Customs. I imported a guitar recently and it took over two weeks to clear through Customs. Parcel Force contacted me immediately once it was through, but they didn't have it for release before that. Annoying considering the sender payed extra for faster delivery - and the USPS did their bit no problem at all, it got to the UK when it was supposed to.
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HMRC are pants at so many levels.
If I import a guitar from the USA now, I tend to use FedEx. Two reasons; firstly they deal with the import themselves in the UK, so a 5 day delivery from the USA is exactly that, and they kindly bill you the customs charges after delivery. Secondly if you look at RM or Parcel Farce's terms, it's very limited on insurance on a guitar. So your valuable guitar could make it safely from the USA properly covered by USPS until it arrives in the UK and gets run over in a depot here and then you're in trouble as you have to claim through RM or PF. At least with FedEx (and other international couriers, I'm sure) it's fully insured to your door. Will cost you around £100 more than with USPS / PF but if the guitar is valuable, then I think it's worth the peace of mind.
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