ClubMan said:
CD-WOW is a very reputable operation. There is nothing dodgy about them shipping from HK. I think it's simply their way of reducing costs.
Hear . Hear . They have shipped some 100 CD and DVDs to me since I started using them in 2002 . Thats 100 packages delivered out of 100 . They always ship on CD or 1 DVD per package
Not one EVER went missing on me in that all time , a tribute both to CD-WOW and also to my local Postman who is as honest as the day is long. I would say that any problems with them are usually down to thieving temporary postal staff, normally around christmas, so I order my xmas goodies from them in early November to beat the rush
They ship from HK to avail of Small Parcel Relief sorta Explained Here (C hapter 6)
[broken link removed]
Customs duty is payable on goods imported into Ireland from outside the EU
VAT is also payable on imported goods at whatever rate would apply to their supply in Ireland. Customs duty payable is included in the value of the goods for VAT purposes.
There are
two exceptions to this general rule:
Consignments of a
value not exceeding €45 or £36 which are sent as gifts from private individuals for the exclusive personal/family use of the recipient. Such consignments are admitted free of customs duty and VAT.
(<cough cough cough, sorry, ahem ! >
Packages with a value not exceeding
€22 or £18, regardless of their commercial status.These
packages can be admitted free of customs duty and VAT. This relief is known as the
"De Minimis Relief"
or more commonly as the "small packages" relief.
In addition, customs Regulations provide for the waiving of customs duty of less than 10 or £8 on goods contained
in one consignment or parcel.
The value of goods for customs purposes is often referred to as the CIF or the cost of the goods plus insurance and freight. No customs duties are payable on
services acquired from a person outside the EU. Both the EU and OECD favour treating the digital transfer of material over the Internet as the supply of a service.
However, digital goods in physical form (e.g. software on CD-ROM) imported into Ireland from outside the EU are liable to VAT at the standard rate and customs dut on the carrier medium where the value of the carrier medium exceeds €22 or £18.