Taiwangun Shipping Disruption (Brexit Related Content)

kasaran said:
So would 4 weeks be optimistic?
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Could be quicker, could be slower

Its a lottery, a lot is held up exiting and then arriving, if things come by ship then they are also held up at the docks waiting for unloading crews

Theres the multitude of delays due to the UK being a border from Europe post Brexit, (previously only looking for illegal imports) staffing levels at every stage due to Covid and handily with distancing due to Covid etc 

 
So with 4 weeks left of ukara...  wonder if it takes too long if there will be issues.  even if it was still in date at the time of placing the order...

 
kasaran said:
So with 4 weeks left of ukara...  wonder if it takes too long if there will be issues.  even if it was still in date at the time of placing the order...
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I don't think any of these delays are anything to do with the inspection of the parcels by Customs per se, and more to do with the fact that UPS seems to be in meltdown and seem to be incapable of processing and delivering parcels at the moment.  Other courier firms are getting parcels through from the EU absolutely fine, and whilst there is a Covid impact on Border controls I think the situation with UPS is down to UPS.  Some of the recent reviews for UPS I've seen online are suggesting a 5-week delay from postage (and ironically most of this time seems to be spent in the UK), which supports the information that @EvilMonkee managed to get that his parcel is currently sat in a container.  I suspect there are quite a few GF and TG parcels in there with his, all waiting for someone in UPS to be assigned to them.

Depending on how this all pans out it might be worth giving some feedback to TG and GF and asking them to consider offering alternative couriers, as relying on UPS may well impact their business.  I for one will be very wary after this experience.  Fingers crossed someone gets their parcel soon, as it'll give everyone an idea as to how long these imports are taking with UPS.

 
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@RebelScum Does indeed seem to be a UPS thing.  I got my EMS, FedEx and DHL parcels in usual time.  What frustrates me is the lack of transparency and communication.  They don't even offer a webchat function.  They make you wait on hold for 45 minutes.  Service has fallen through the floor yet their prices have risen.  They don't even offer any service guarantee anymore and haven't done for nearly a year. 

 
Thing is Gunfire do offer GLS - has anyone tried this as an option to the UK and is there any difference?

 
Adolf Hamster said:
good to know, recently have a thing dispatched via ems and was wondering if the increased border attention would spill over to russian stuff.
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No, shouldn't do at the UK end.  I've had quite a bit of kit posted from Russia recently.  eBay purchases by regular airmail are taking about 3-4 weeks, but most of that time is spent getting clearance out of Russia.  I say this having just received a boonie hat yesterday and the estimated time for delivery was 1 day out.  DHL from Grey Shop was just two days with their expedited post (taxes all included at the sales end - so no hassle at the point of import).  The last time I used EMS that was also OK, although that was pre-December 2020.  Indeed I've only ever had one issue with a surplus store in Russia and Paypal refunded for non-delivery, which worked out OK.

 
UPS delivered one of my TG orders to a school.  Different postcode and address, but my surname is similar to the name of the school.  

Cue much head scratching from staff who opened the parcel along with a myriad of others, only to find it full of quote, 'machine gun parts.'  Helpfully they also lost one of the damn mags and damaged an inner barrel.   A bit of thinking led me to call in and ask if they had it because I rec'd a text saying that it had been delivered.  The only time in 20+ years that any mix up between the addresses has occurred.  

UPS also managed to leave a large order outside my neighbour's front door.  Only spotted when I took the hound for a walk.  Again the text told me to keep an eye out locally.  

If we don't tell TG just how awful UPS's service is, they will stick with them.

On a similar note, I received two parcels from the US the other day, both free from any import charge, via RM.  Both should have had charges attached.  One I had ordered in October and reported lost.

Wife's £400+ US order via RM had £150-ish slapped on it.  The handling charges were ridiculous.  

Even RM is overwhelmed and making mistakes/missing things.  Not surprising given the last minute nature of the duty announcements.  UPS must be like a bloody madhouse.  

 
Tactical Pith Helmet said:
UPS must be like a bloody madhouse.  
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Although slightly different to couriers like DHL, UPS etc, EMS have the right idea, they just suspend the service when it becomes too difficult to meet time scales.  It's not a perfect solution, they sometimes aren't the best company but I get the feeling greed takes over at UPS.

 
I would totally forget about Taiwangun, as for the case you need to return something, their return policy and customer service is awful. 
 

1. You have to pay the shipping costs yourself in case of returning (no good store does that, at least not here). 
 

2.) They take like forever to send you a shipping label. 
 

3.) They stop answering you during the process. 

 
DRay said:
Are Taiwangun legit? Appreciate all of the gripe is with UPS (who are a terrible company, only Yodel are worse) about delivery but as I am in no rush I was looking at a JG MAC10 (a steal at £50) but they aren’t asking for UKARA...

Appreciate that they aren’t a UK retailer but surely they will need this for import? 
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Is this UKAC or something?

Yes, they're legit. As mentioned above, you need a £140 minimum order now and they will tell you that as a UK buyer it is entirely at your own risk. You can put your UKARA number in the order comments and ask them to put it on the address label or just on the outside but this has always been their policy. 

ak2m4 said:
@RebelScum Does indeed seem to be a UPS thing.  I got my EMS, FedEx and DHL parcels in usual time.  What frustrates me is the lack of transparency and communication.  They don't even offer a webchat function.  They make you wait on hold for 45 minutes.  Service has fallen through the floor yet their prices have risen.  They don't even offer any service guarantee anymore and haven't done for nearly a year. 
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It's absolutely a UPS problem. My brother in law is waiting on £20K worth of hardware for work sent via UPS from the Netherlands. UPS say they've got around a 2-3 month delay, they also say they've delivered it because one of the three boxes turned up.

 
Just had a call from UPS to fill in a firearms form for customs.

The cover sheet/invoice from TG that they attached to the email has my ukara mentioned 3 times, so a bit ridiculous that they need a declaration. 

 
lukeB said:
Just had a call from UPS to fill in a firearms form for customs.

The cover sheet/invoice from TG that they attached to the email has my ukara mentioned 3 times, so a bit ridiculous that they need a declaration. 
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Me to after contacting Taiwangun to chase UPS. Got a call and follow up email just now. I have had to fill these in before for shipments from Evike in the US. I can deal with this red tape so long as they are quick to request it (not nearly 3 weeks).

I also asked if they (Taiwangun) would consider other shippers clarifying that I would not be purchasing from them again if they still used UPS. Will see if that goes anywhere.

James

 
I now have a 'shipment cleared customs' on the UPS tracker. However everything is still in Poland!!!

 
lukeB said:
Just had a call from UPS to fill in a firearms form for customs.

The cover sheet/invoice from TG that they attached to the email has my ukara mentioned 3 times, so a bit ridiculous that they need a declaration. 
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Standard UPS practice been doing it forever even for non RIF related stuff.  Basically they are idiots

 
Saying that, my high pressure order was 'shipped' a week ago, but according to the tracking, DPD still haven't received it. 

Its a shame they are the only uk hpa specialist because their service is terrible these days. They could do with some competition.

 
Just had my status changed to Held in Warehouse - so no doubt it will sit there till Customs get to it.

 
lukeB said:
Saying that, my high pressure order was 'shipped' a week ago, but according to the tracking, DPD still haven't received it. 

Its a shame they are the only uk hpa specialist because their service is terrible these days. They could do with some competition.
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I think it's a mixed bag.... I asked them something on FB messenger..never replied.  Called them, answered the phone.  Put an order in that night and items came within 2 days.  Probably worth chasing them up on the order mate.

 
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