Digikey shipping to UK experience?

[MrSlack]

Typically a pile of stuff I want to order is DigiKey only.

Does anyone know how VAT/customs is handled, which shipper they use and whether or not this is going to be a PITA?

[nogood]

I can only speak for shipping to Germany: They (Digikey) fill out everything they can and UPS/DHL (I don't remember) asks for the VAT (19% in Germany) and do the rest.
Maybe depending on worth of the shipment you have to pay more customs (in my case the shipment would have to be worth more than ~150€).

[ovnr]

Not UK, but close enough and verified on Digikey's site:

You will have to pay VAT as usual on any imported shipment, but as long as you specifically order in GBP, there will be no additional fees or charges; you'll simply get a bill from UPS (probably) with the VAT charge; it arrives a couple weeks later or so. If you order £1000 worth of components, your total extra charge is £200 (assuming you guys still pay 20% VAT on everything).

Also note the free shipping above £50.


All in all, it's pretty transparent and convenient - no extra fees or a pile of fuss, just the initial charge + the VAT charge some time later. Should arrive quickly too.


Do be sure to use GBP when shopping, and the .co.uk domain. If you order in USD (yes, even if your card is in GBP), you WILL probably get hilarious, nasty extra charges.

[TassiloH]

Hint: What nogood said about shipping to Germany is only halfway true: If you order from digikey.com with US$-prices, you get billed by UPS/Fedex for VAT and duty (and it is your problem if they mess up, I had that once, Fedex assuming an incredible several hunderd $ shipping cost when it was effectively free).
If you order from digikey.de with EUR-prices, digikey handles the rder via their EU office and bills you VAT, duties already included in prices, no separate bill from UPS/Fedex/whatever, and you have the final amount at the time you pay for the order. I'd think it is the same if you order via http://www.digikey.co.uk/ just in pounds.
But the convenience comes at a slightly higher price (few %) for many items compared to ordering on the US website. But this is only relevant if you pay by credit card and have one that does not charge currency conversion fees.

[Koen]

Old email received from Digikey :

Digi-Key Corporation is a Non-Resident Importer to Europe


Dear Koen,

We would like to inform you that beginning on June 20, 2014, Digi-Key Corporation will be handling shipments into Belgium in a different manner.

For Digi-Key-to-business shipments in Euro (€) to companies in Belgium, Digi-Key will manage the import and customs clearing of these shipments. Shipments should be cleared through customs faster, therefore ensuring our customers receive their orders as expected. As a non-resident importer, Digi-Key Corporation will import shipments into Cologne, Germany and under the CPC4200 rules, forward shipments to Belgium. Each business customer or recipient of a shipment is responsible for self-assessing VAT charges on shipments within his or her respective country.

In order to participate in this program, we must have a valid VAT number for your company.

The VAT number we currently have on file for your company is []. If this number is no longer valid, or is incorrect, please respond to eu.support@digikey.com with the correct information so we can update our files.

If we do not have your valid VAT number on file, all shipments will require VAT to be paid upon delivery. To update your information, or if you have any questions, please respond to eu.support@digikey.com or contact us at: 0800 78 962 or +31 53 484 9584.

It's great.

[Wilksey]

I'm in the UK, and I have never been hit with customs / import charges, always turns up at the door.

Maybe I have just jinxed...

[tggzzz]

Old email received from Digikey :

If we do not have your valid VAT number on file, all shipments will require VAT to be paid upon delivery.

I presume any such that collection isn't cost-free, i.e. in effect there will be a "delivery charge" on top of the VAT. ISTR being hit with that when recieving something from one of the many Avnet divisions.

[SteveyG]

If you order from the Digikey UK site as said there's no issues at all. Normally stuff arrives for me within a few days and never had any issues.

[MrSlack]

Brilliant - thanks all. Just plonked £200 so see what happens

[Cerebus]

Brilliant - thanks all. Just plonked £200 so see what happens

Are you done yet? What was the outcome?

[MrSlack]

Sorry completely forgot about this. Arrived surprisingly quickly. VAT was paid up front. UPS dude left it at the local shop despite me being in. No charges due.

Probably less hassle than dealing with Farnell if I'm honest who tend to screw up most orders I send them.