I suspect it has to do with import duties. I always wondered how they managed the same prices shipping from EU. Mystery solved. Looks like 20% to me which is about right vor general VAT.
I think I’d rather pay those prices though than wait 3 weeks for items to arrive from China. That’s assuming the UK warehouse is efficient and you actually would get your item quickly.
I'm not privy to any inside information or anything, but DX has had a warehouse in Miami for years (actually, it's probably not their warehouse; my point is, they or their processing agent already have all the infrastructure in place). Perhaps the extra 20% are meant to offset the cost of establishing and running a warehouse in the UK and OZ. I'm really just guessing though, because technically import duty is due whenever anyone unloads goods with the intent to enter them into the commerce of the United States (ie. way before the merchandise is sold).
In any case, I'm pretty sure their core business (ie. sending stuff out of HK) cross-subsidizes their UK and US businesses to some extent because USPS/Royal Mail probably charges just a tad more than HKP. ;)
"DX has had a warehouse in Miami for years... ..Perhaps the extra 20% are meant to offset the cost of establishing and running a warehouse in the UK and OZ."
Very charitable suggestion OM, but over here we call it Rip-Off Britain. I'd bet a Thrunite Catapult against an AAA Maglite that the Brit Gov are behind it.
Good post VFM, I wouldn't have thought of looking for that. Wonder if the price difference rises with the cost of the item to cover customs duty?