Posted on 12/6/2012

Hey Dave, congrats for winning this great page! But agreed that its no fun when custom charge is so high.

Posted on 12/6/2012

Hi Eric Thanks, I'm pleased with it (however the actual painting is very dark compared to this scan). The customs charge, I believe is based on the value of the art as listed on the invoice, but judging by the percentage charged on this peice, the duty/taxes etc on higher priced items ie. the Todd McFarlane cover would be ASTRONOMICAL------ surely this has to be wrong?

Posted on 12/6/2012

I'd dispute that charge mate. Stunning piece mind. Very jealous!

Posted on 12/6/2012

Thanks Paul, yeah I did dispute it, all they did was itemise with abbreviations I did'nt understand, looks like they've just made it up. I've been collecting for 20 years, at the start art came in the country at no charge at all, then suddenly customs realise they are missing out on free money.

Posted on 12/6/2012

Bad thing, the customs fees ... Likely to strongly discourage purchases of high-priced artworks from overseas ... Me too I had some very bloody experiences here in Italy, where they charge over 20% on declared value! Anyway, that's a great page from a wonderful series, congrats!

Posted on 12/6/2012

Aye, they can even make up their own amount if they think the item is worth more than declared. "Printed Papers" works fine ;)

Posted on 12/6/2012

HA! You bet it works! ;-)

Posted on 12/6/2012

That sucks about the CRAZY fees. It's a beautiful piece.

Posted on 12/6/2012

Thanks Davide, Paul and Patrick. I've used 'printed papers' on a lot of stuff, but Heritage insist on declaring full value, which is a legal requirement I guess. However, I think it should be capped, a flat fee. Not a made up one. I have joked to other collectors before...but this time It really would pay to fly over there, buy a load and bring it back in a portfolio-----could save myself a fortune. Sadly, I cannot bid on anything again, knowing these charges are to come on top of the final value fee has well and truly destroyed the hobby for me.

Posted on 12/6/2012

Hi David, firstly amazing page! One of the best, I too have had had this experience buying from Heritage, I'm currently waiting for them to ship a Slaine Page to me (in Ireland) from the same auction. I'm unsure of what to do....maybe if I go with UPS I won't get charged as much as FedEx. The last Slaine page I got (http://www.comicartfans.com/GalleryPiece.asp?Piece=932743&GSub=135095) was hit with an astronomical charge about , really took the good out of the whole thing. It would have been cheaper to go to Texas for the weekend

Posted on 12/6/2012

Aye, I know them both, ABC, good chaps, but all the Slaine stuff is in US, apart from the couple I have, and stuff that's gone below the radar. Superworld----I'll try my best, but I can't see them budging on it.

Posted on 12/6/2012

Hey Dave, Stay with it! I had a dispute with American Express that went on for a year over a phony $2500 charge, and finally won out. Great page too!

Posted on 12/6/2012

Superb !

Posted on 12/6/2012

Great page, David ! I folowed this auction very closely :). Had to deal with custom fees recently as well, you should look at what taxes apply to what kind of goods in UK, here in France the VAT is 19,6% as a rule (seems close to what they made you pay) but for art and collectibles it's only 7¨%.

Posted on 12/6/2012

Great painted page .....almost sure comicbook art is only 5% of import value ... Personally will never deal with Heritage ... i alway's get the impressions their taking the piss .... Internet Bid / Live Floor bid and then make a higher offer bid....all with buyer commission ... and stupid postage ... told a mate who runs a proper auction house ....he thought i was kidding ...

Posted on 12/6/2012

Import tax is 5%, I had exactly the same issue on biz saline pages from heritage a coupla years back, you need to contact hm customs/FedEx and you will get a refund, cheers, Steve

Posted on 12/6/2012

Slaine not saline goddam predictive text!

Posted on 12/6/2012

Beautiful, BEAUTIFUL page!!! I'm sorry to hear about the outrageous fees, though. Despite that, this is an awesome score, my friend!! Congratulations!!!

Posted on 12/7/2012

Thanks for the info all, I have sent FedEx another mail, it would be great if they can refund something at least. I just think the the whole thing has been tarnished by someone's cursory glance and the value, and not what the item actually was. I felt sure that the tax was far lower for art, BUT it seems like these fees are somewhat at their discretion. I will get back with their answer....

Posted on 12/10/2012

Thanks to everyone who have shared their experiences with this issue (some not on this page) It is always good to have as many opinions as possible. As yet I have still heard nothing back from FedEx, when I call them direct they always they cannot tell me anything because their system does not allow it. I have a feeling this will be a very long and pointless battle.

Posted on 12/13/2012

Well folks, here's the latest---- after some time I managed to get in contact with one of the Fedex managers by phone, who passed my query onto another operative who was attending a meeting with yet another department called Global Trade Services, who work with Customs, and they will review the case. Now it's a waiting game again.