Importing stuff from the U.S.

bxbodger · Unread post by **bxbodger** » 30 Sep 2005, 19:34

See-http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Auto-Darkening-We ... dZViewItem
At that price I am very tempted, but never having bought anything from outside the EC before, I was wondering if there are any pitfalls in the way of hidden costs, import duties, etc.
Has anyone had any experience of buying bits from the U.S.? I would welcome any opinions/advice, as its a good price for one of those!!!

lighteninguk · Unread post by **lighteninguk** » 30 Sep 2005, 20:05

have imported many things over ebay from hong kong and china and singapore, my items have never been held back but they were quite small items.

oilyspanner · Unread post by **oilyspanner** » 30 Sep 2005, 20:06

Get them to send it as a gift rather than goods, I am told it makes a difference.
Stewart

drpau · Unread post by **drpau** » 30 Sep 2005, 20:09

I think its a bit random, Ive had somethings come through unchecked whereas some items get held up and you end up having to pay the VAT.
Stewarts right about the gift thing as well as far as I know.

bxbodger · Unread post by **bxbodger** » 30 Sep 2005, 20:31

I am getting more tempted!!! At the £100 or so they seem to cost here they're a bit of a luxury item, but for less than forty quid, and I do own a Vitesse...............maybe its a neccesity, and a lot more convenient than the traditional head nodding method in a confined space!!!
I think I will have to email them anyway to find out the availability of replacement filters- as its a US item I may not be able to get them to fit here which would make it a bit of a white elephant.

kafkaian · Unread post by **kafkaian** » 30 Sep 2005, 21:12

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by bxbodger</i>

I think I will have to email them anyway to find out the availability of replacement filters- as its a US item I may not be able to get them to fit here which would make it a bit of a white elephant.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Good point well made

406 V6 · Unread post by **406 V6** » 01 Oct 2005, 02:58

I wouldn't go for the "gift".
I once bought a kit airplane from the US or Canada and told the fellow to send it as a gift. Unfortunatelly, he sent the receipt inside. Wham![:(]
And on another ocassion i payed twice (maybe a bit more) the value of a product in Customs duty taxes.
Assuming British Customs - from what i read here - are very similar, i wouldn't go for it.
Can't you find something similar to that welding protection within the E.U.?
Maybe i can search around here in Portugal for that item, and let you know.
PS: your URL doesn't seem to open in my browser...

fastandfurryous · Unread post by **fastandfurryous** » 01 Oct 2005, 03:10

Well, the item has been listed in ebay.co.uk, and the seller has listed a price for delivery to the uk, so if you were to order one, and it not turn up, then the seller is at fault.

Stempy · Unread post by **Stempy** » 01 Oct 2005, 11:55

I've had quite a bit of stuff come from th US and it seems quite random as to whether it gets pulled by customs, regardless of value. They seem to be quite hot on clothing for some reason. I've also sent a fair bit of stuff back here from the States when I was there myself, none of it got pulled up, but I always marked it up as a gift and declared a low value. Another method is to have it sent as a 'product sample' or 'engineering sample'. But as it's being sold by a UK seller the price you see should be the price you pay.

dnsey · Unread post by **dnsey** » 01 Oct 2005, 16:10

eBay do advise buyers to check if duty and local taxes are payable on imported items. Unfortunately, the importer (not the exporter) is generally considered to be liable to pay. If I remember correctly (which I might not!) the trigger value for duty and VAT is £24.00. I have overcome this before now by having goods sent in two parcels, but I don't think that would be possible in this case.

bxbodger · Unread post by **bxbodger** » 02 Oct 2005, 01:06

The concensus in the pub last night seemed to be the same as here-i.e. hit and miss with no rhyme nor reason. One mate had a box set of 'King of the Hill' dvd's delayed for months with extra duties to pay, and someone else had a pricey camera sail straight through.
I've just had a happy afternoon's migging and I think I'll stick with the old ned kelly job for now!!

bad driver · Unread post by **bad driver** » 02 Oct 2005, 02:12

I imported a full set of gauges from the states, cost £400 dollars, paid 74 in UK taxes and 50 dollars postage. Still worked out 200 cheaper than buying them in uk.
Have a look on custom and excise site. It tells you what rates of duty you will pay according to type of goods.
The gift thing is bogus, if its over £65 in value then you are paying tax regardless.