Hi!

I would like to order some vitamines from iHerb.com and I'm not sure, which shippming to choose.

There's the following information on iHerb:

"Global Priority Mail by DHL" -> chances are high that you will not pay any additional Customs import taxes.

"DHL Express" -> 4-day average delivery time with possible extra delays/expenses due to Customs.

I would prefer DHL Express, because i like tracking and fast shipping. Has anyone ever choose this before? How are your experiences? Any problems?

Thanks for your help!
cinnamon80

Please check this thread:
iherb

I have always used their cheapest option, without tracking. Had no problems, usually delivered within 10 days, except once, when it took almost 3 weeks.

Thank you!

I already checked the mentioned thread before, but I'm wondering if there's also no problem with Express Shipping...

Ive ordered from iHerb.com twice and had both the regular and express shipping.
Once my order was over 200 so i got the express shipment to track it. It was delivered promptly, but then DHL calculated import tax and then charged an additional 24CHF administrative fee, so i had to chuck over CHF40+ to DHL... The regular shipment option was just as good, and almost as fast..
Why dont you check out www.sportbenzin.ch - they dont have a hugly amazing (northamerican) selection - depending on what you want, but unbelievably fast shipping (ships same day and delivered within 1-2 days) shipping is free if your order is over CHF80.. i order from their frequently..
may be worth a shot.

Thank you Fitness_Gal!

I'm not afraid of paying taxes and administration fee, if I have to (if the order is over 200.-).

It's just completely new to me, that we can order vitamines and supplements from America without any problems. In Germany they would confiscate everything and you may have to pay a fine! And that is/was my big fear.

I need a lot of things (aminos, vitamines) and I pay so much here in Switzerland and sometimes it's is really hard to find, what I'm looking for. So it is a huge gift for me, that I can order now from America.

...i just can't really believe, that the customs are so generous.

(sorry for my english, I'm not a native speaker... )

Maybe the shipping is fast, but I don't think they can beat iherb prices ... Also, they don't have the same products choice.
And free shipping compared to $4 doesn't make a huge difference.

You misunderstood the part about the taxes and duties. You will pay 8% VAT and any duties once you reach CHF 65 (including shipping) on the order. DHL or FedEx will of course also add their administrative fee for processing the Customs papers.

The other poster just mentioned that the last order that was placed was for CHF 200 (and of course there was VAT etc. to pay on the shipment).

Thank you Verbier, but you have to pay only 2,5% VAT on supplements, vitamines etc.

Not true, for nutritional supplements, the limit is CHF 200 (and not CHF65).

Correct.

Note however there is also import duty payable once the package weighs more than 5kg. I got this once with iherb even though the weight as shown on the order was only just over 7lbs. I try and keep the order at 5-6lbs maximum.

Thank you! Very good to know!

@ swissnyc

Thanks for the correction. I thought only books, newspapers and food were taxed at the 2.5% rate. It seems that medicines (nutritional supplements) are also at the low rate.

So that would confirm the CHF 200 limit (the calculation is based on not collecting less than CHF 5 in VAT so 2.5% x 200 = 5).