xtobi-wanx

mmmhhh... yes, subscriptions, that may actually be a case, where you can't provide the documents. in all other cases, this should not be any problem, because they usually accept whatever printout from ebay or paypal or order confirmation or whatever you bring...

actually, in Germany it works the following way: Orders shipped via USPS International are actually delivered via DHL parcel service in Germany. Based on the customs declaration by the shipper (and by some random selection process that I’ve never fully understood…) parcels are sorted out at the import airport and handed over to customs authorities. In this case, I don’t receive the parcel but a letter from the customs office requesting to provide a commercial invoice and any other supplementing documents for the import declaration. I have now two options: Either I go to the nearest customs office myself to present the documents, pay customs duty (if applicable) and pick up my parcel (this is usually a hassle; it takes all in all around 3-4 hours on a normal workday). Or I send them the requested documents, they are checked and I pay any customs duty (and only this amount!) to the parcel delivery person at my door (this is much more convenient, though it adds about 2 weeks lead time). (In some cases, an order which is subject to customs fees slips through and I end up without paying customs at all ) If I don't react on the letter, the parcel is returned to the sender. Noone at the customs authority tries to figure out the value by themselves.

I think you've misunderstood / mixing up some things. DHL Express did the customs declaration in my name. Somehow, they couldn't figure out their own shipping rate, since the commercial invoice didn't include shipping costs. So they took the IATA rate. That's weird. But probably it's two different parts of the company, that are not communicating with each other. But, DHL Express has absolute no benefit from calculating with a higher shipping price, because they don't see the customs fees. So no reason to blame that. On the other side, they would also have no benefit from researching the correct rate... In regard to your third point: Yes, DHL would charge about 40,- Euro for a recalculating of the correct customs value and clarification with the authorities. For me, DHL Express is simply a no-go from now on, since I don't have any control over this process. The second part about eBay, I actually don't understand. I thought, their customs calculation is based on the total cost (auction price + shipping), which is the correct way. Isn't it?

Finally, after almost two months I’ve heard back from DHL Express in regard to this issue: I ended up paying the full amount invoiced. Their explanation was, that the commercial invoice from deathwish didn’t include the freight costs. Therefore, they „had to“ consider the standard IATA air freight rate for customs purposes, which is around 90,- Euro. From a formal perspective I can understand this; the commercial invoice indeed included only the items’ value but no freight costs. What I don’t understand is, why they haven’t actually looked at their own rates, which I paid via my order with deathwish. Any changes to the customs calculation would cost another 40,.- Euro or so. So in the end, I paid. In regard to their fees: 10,- is the minimum rate they charge for paying the customs duty in advance when importing stuff. Stated in their standard terms&conditions. All in all, this rules out DHL Express for me as a shipping option.

Finally received my copy of '40h train' in gold over here in Europe. The "gold" looks more like simple "yellow", otherwise I'm more than happy with the record

Those two songs were great...

Funny thing is: USPS parcels are also delivered from DHL in Germany (without this additional service). Shipping was $33, I habe no idea how they've calculated that amount in the customs declaration. The full commercial invoice from DW, however, was included.

Despite poly bags and seam splits, what do you think about the songs? I'm actually disappointed by the title song. Doesn't feel like Grade at all. The flip side, however, is pretty good.

Anyone from Europe/overseas has experiences with the DHL Express shipping option from the DW estore? Recently, I've used this option for the first time to Germany: Three records, $48 value. Shipping was super fast and actually cheaper than the USPS option - so far that’s great. But: a few days after christmas I’ve received an additional letter from DHL with an invoice for customs. Apparently, the DHL option includes a mandatory import customs clearance. This alone wouldn’t be much of a problem, however, what really annoys me is the fact that - they did a customs declaration with a customs value of 99,35 Euro (even 123,35 Euro for import turnover tax reference), although the commercial invoice stating $48 was attached, resulting in 23,82 Euro customs fees AND - they charged 10 Euro (+ VAT) for their service, which I had never ordered on purpose. I’m currently in the process of clarifying with DHL why they did a wrong import declaration (in my name!) that I haven’t even requested. Anyone with similar experiences?

Think of it as "donate 9,- for a good cause and receive 7inch in return"

ordered a white one. glad I didn't jump on the overseas preorder, especially since the two rarest variants were already gone.

FINALLY. After going back and forth across the Atlantic finally my copy has arrived. I'm really impressed with the artwork! As an engineer I really dig the concept

Hope they'll have it online. Looking at the recent availability of Hulud Vinyl, 1000 copies should last a while.

Finally got my HT variant of EIF Vinyl looks and sounds great, this time even with an insert. However, the artwork is probably the worst scale up I've ever seen. Every picture has the worst visible aliasing from jpg compression...

ordered the purple. this record was huge for me back in 2006. looking forward to own this on vinyl.

Ieperfest! Save a copy for me...

bummed to see the White sold out before I noticed the preorder. but somethimes, refreshing the page works ;-) apparently someone hasn't checked out his/her shopping cart and exactly one copy was put up again. snagged it

pm'd

PO ist up on Sumerian Records: http://www.sumerianmerch.com/ No vinyl, though Does anyone know of any license pressing?

I just realized how great this release is. I definitly under-rated it, when it came out! Artwork and sound quality is awesome of this release. I've got some surface noise on the C-side, however. Anyone else having any issues?

Just received my copy today. Faster overseas shipping ever! And the packaging was top-notch. Tiny little ding on one corner; that's all. Will give it a spin right now. Must have been years, since I've last listened to Vheissu...

Wow! Stream is awesome. Please, TRR, release this out on a proper 12".

I'm based in Germany & could pick up a couple of extra copies for fellow VC's. Shipping in Germany would be for free, if there were at least two people interested. The item, however, is priced really high (>$30) and there would be at least another $8-$10 each for tracked bulk shipping to the US + shipping within the US. (Individual shipping would probably be around $12-$15 each.) Anyone interested? On the other side, to make it more simple: Flight13 are nice guys. Bits and pieces of their website are in English, too. Buty ou can contact them at [email protected] ; they'll surely support a group buy and organize a direct shipping to the US.

haven't received my merchnow copy, yet. but, what is that issue with the gatefold? are you really complaining about it? usually, I really dig gatefolds because of the expanded artwork. any issues with that in this release? or are you just implying, that the second side should be glued together so it's simply closed?

Grabbed a clear copy. $19 shipping to Europe isn't that bad. Finally, the hunt for an afforadable copy is over