GWR-fan Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 I believe at present that Royal Mail is not really a viable option when having goods shipped from the UK internationally so my latest purchase from Hattons was sent by DHL ondemand delivery. I received the Hattons picking list email stating the items were picked at 1700 hours on the 13/1/21 (UK time). I received the initial pickup email from DHL shortly after with expected delivery to Australia on Friday 22nd. When I opened my door this morning (Monday 18th), to my surprise, the items had been delivered at 0730 am (local time). This is four days ahead of schedule. Excellent service from both Hattons and DHL. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brossard Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 I haven't bought anything from Hattons recently but I did get a 7mm loco last year that exceeded 2Kg so it came by DHL. Expensive and I did get dinged for Sales Tax (normally Canada Post rarely bothers). The parcel did arrive in about 3 days so that was good. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWR-fan Posted January 18, 2021 Author Share Posted January 18, 2021 My package was between 2-3 kg. which could have been split between two packages, but considering that due the very limited international fights to Australia's east coast, I believe that there are either considerable delays in shipping with Royal Mail or that RM is not currently shipping downunder. In mid-2020 my son purchased a rare kit from a German eBayer with shipping by DHL. However, at the time DHL had banned shipping to Australia on packages of this size sent from Germany. The eBayer agreed to hold onto the item for several months until DHL resumed shipping downunder and then sent it on its way, arriving in perfect condition. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Harbour Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 I've been getting my packages shipped from Hattons to Australia by DHL. Cost differential is not a lot. It also helps that I work for DHL and I get them sent to my office not home! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWR-fan Posted January 18, 2021 Author Share Posted January 18, 2021 Jon, "Recent" covid increases in Royal Mail costs have slightly narrowed the margin. In my most recent package the cost differential would have been GBP14.00. This is with the items purchased placed in two packages rather than a single package with DHL. In the current climate the cost differential is unimportant as I do not know that Royal Mail is actually able to deliver to Australia. Unless a single item weighed in excess of 2 kg., I would always choose to split a package into multiple units and use Royal Mail if available. The service from DHL is always superb, but in "normal" circumstances the cost saving with using RM is more important to me than the time saved with DHL. I have used DHL on multiple occasions when required and have always been impressed with the service received. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandwich station Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 They are still shipping by Royal Mail to Aus. I've placed several orders over the last 2 or 3 months and all have been sent by Royal Mail. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnfromoz Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 By contrast, I cannot recommend Hattons other ‘courier’ option, DPD. At the end of 2020 they clearly ‘bundled’ three seperate orders of mine, despite purchases made over a couple of weeks, End result: seizure by Australian Border force, (combined over $1000) hundreds payable in duty and ‘brokerage’ fees. I returned all items to Hattons for refund, as DPD had not fulfilled their advertised service. While we are all aware of covid difficulties, this carrier does NOT do as claimed and is in my view to be avoided. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWR-fan Posted January 18, 2021 Author Share Posted January 18, 2021 I believe that the recent increase in the spread of covid in the UK and shutdowns has impacted on Royal Mail deliveries. Deliveries were being made several months ago but of late over the Christmas period Hattons advised that RM had stopped international shipping for the time being. Hattons still offer shipping by Royal Mail but I do not believe that your item will be shipped immediately. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandwich station Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 I have two orders placed on the 8th and 11th of this month, both sent by Royal Mail. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CUCKOO LINE Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 (edited) Why not use the chat function on Hattons and ask if in doubt. They are usually quite good. You can also check the Royal Mail site, they give regular updates on service status. Edited January 18, 2021 by CUCKOO LINE Typo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Storey Posted January 18, 2021 Share Posted January 18, 2021 Not sure how much of your problems are down to Covid? I ordered three BOC tankers from Hattons in December, and opted for delivery by Royal Mail / La Poste to France. They turned up within 7 days. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpgibbons Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 Hattons have just told me that their timescale to entertain a non-delivery claim from Australia has been extended from 25 working days to 3 months. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NS Peak Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 After picking the budget Royal Mail option last November and the packet taking over 2 months to arrive ( a distance of 500km to where I live here in the Netherlands) I also took the DHL option on my last order which arrived in less than a day. (Sadly thanks to brexit I also got stung for an extra 20% plus 15 euros tax collection free.) Speed is fantastic but it’s a lot less likely to have tax applied. stephen Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpendle Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 1 hour ago, NS Peak said: After picking the budget Royal Mail option last November and the packet taking over 2 months to arrive ( a distance of 500km to where I live here in the Netherlands) I also took the DHL option on my last order which arrived in less than a day. (Sadly thanks to brexit I also got stung for an extra 20% plus 15 euros tax collection free.) Speed is fantastic but it’s a lot less likely to have tax applied. stephen But if you placed an order today with Hattons, they would deduct UK VAT, or NL VAT would be quoted in the price. The main reason I use Hattons where possible is BECAUSE they have tracked options such as DHL, the VAT saving generally covers the extra shipping cost and I know where my stuff is. Regards, John P 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NS Peak Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 I believe Hattons are VAT registered in the EU and Collect and pay VAT at source as they are obliged to do if selling above a certain threshold. Just when placed my last order this was around new year and DHL got confused. other retailers I know are deducting vat which as you say is normally about the cost of post and packaging. It’s just that over 22 euros you are then liable for local VAT (btw in NL) plus 5he surcharge for collecting. I suspect DHL are more likely to collect on high value orders with track and trace than NL post will for non priority packages. I have an order coming from another retailer who deducted vat and put it through snail mail and I am curious if I will get stung for vat on that or not. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LimboBrit Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 On 04/03/2021 at 04:49, dpgibbons said: Hattons have just told me that their timescale to entertain a non-delivery claim from Australia has been extended from 25 working days to 3 months. Not just to Australia. They told me the same for shipping to the Netherlands Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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