Just a quick update on progress with the delivery of the latest batch to addresses in the UK. Hopefully this information about the process and charges may be helpful to others ordering from the UK. I placed an order immediately the second batch was announced on 23 January and paid in Euro. 238,25 € for the phone and Shipping of 18,90 € a Total of 257,15 €. (Paying in Euro avoided any exchange conversion fees and poor exchange rates from PayPal).
(Note that no VAT was charged by Jolla). I subsequently added the two protection items (C2 bundle with protective sleeve and protective cover - Thanks @rainemak ) and the Jolla Shop invoiced me with a link to pay the additional Payment of 15,94 € which I did. (Again no VAT charged).
On 4 February Jolla Shop emailed to say that a shipment was on the way and provided a Posti tracking number. (Finnish Postal Service). The package subsequently arrived in the UK this past weekend (8/9 February) and was reviewed by HMRC (UK Customs) who identified that a charge was payable. The package was passed to Parcelforce to collect the charge and deliver the package.
Normally Parcelfore will write to the addressee with details of the charge and how to pay it. This adds to the process and delays the time before your package is sent on the final stage of delivery. There is a solution to this however.
If you call Parcelforce on 0344 209 6171 and select option 3 you can get your 17 digit “Payment Reference Number” (PRN) that you need to pay the fee. Calling enables you to get the PRN and pay the fee online without waiting for a letter to arrive with the PRN. You will need to provide your Posti Tracking Number and destination details (Your Name and address) to get the Payment Reference number.
Pay the fee at https://www.parcelforce.com/receiving/customs-charge#/
In my case the fee was for VAT of £45.17 and a £12 handling fee charged by Parcelforce to collect payment on behalf of HMRC. (The current handling fee for import parcels is £12.00 for parcels where the value of the contents is below £900 (equivalent to €1000).
The total I had to pay was £57.17 - Given the value of the package ( €273.09 or approx £227.50) this was reasonable but it means that small orders for say just bundle protection items are not cost effective.
You will then get a new Parcelforce Tracking number and the ability to decide the date of delivery.
My C2 is now scheduled for delivery later today. (11 February).
A relatively fast process and I will get my new C2 as promised in February!
Hope this is helpful but do take care responding to messages about shipping issues given the many fraudulent texts and emails out there!