buying electricals abroad

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nickfabbri

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Does anyone know of any limitations of buying boat electronics ( chartplotters ,autopilots) from the US ? I know that there is a vat issue and possibly a 24v vd 12v problem, but aside from that are there any other compatability problems. The weak dollar means that at the moment the electronics cost about half what they cost in the UK
 
A forum search should bring up a lot on this subject, it comes up frequently.
You pay shipping, duty (usually a small amount, 3% or less), and VAT. My rule of thumb is that if you add 42% to the US price and it still looks good, it probably is.
You need to be aware of issues such as map basis on GPS/plotters, warranty validity and CE marking. Fixed VHF radios have to be CE marked in EU countries and only 'Euro' versions of the big manufacurer's radios usually are.
Hope this helps.
 
Most U.S. retailers who ship internationally will use Fedex, UPS or some such- they in turn will ship either direct to UK or, for example ,via Germany. When the article reaches UK the stated value will determine whether the courier company and sometimes it becomes ParcelForce enters it for Customs duty, VAT and a release fee.

The 42% guidline is a sensible guesstimate.

To try to avoid the Duty/fees issue the package needs to be sent regular airmail by their Post office to ours and sometimes this will see it slip through without challenge.
 
ive bought lots of stuff from the states including an s3 raymarine smart pilot $1000 not £1200 and navman and raymarine control heads at less than half price, nothing has been opened on route and no tax paid, as far as i'm aware the only thing i would not buy is a vhs as some of the preset channels are different
 
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ive bought lots of stuff from the states including an s3 raymarine smart pilot $1000 not £1200 and navman and raymarine control heads at less than half price, nothing has been opened on route and no tax paid, as far as i'm aware the only thing i would not buy is a vhs as some of the preset channels are different

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So what, you get American television channels instead of UK ones? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
I think you need to do your research, some products are the same whether you buy here or there so no down side, others do has US custom versions and you can find this unhelpful or in the case of some radios just illegal. Remeber that any chart bundles with GPS will be US so add on the cost of your UK ones which may be free or discounted in the UK. Mains chargers will be the wrong voltage.

Finally allow for the taxes even if the chances of having to pay them are slim and some carriers (fewer than there used to be) will slap on a standard commercial clearance fee on to of the duty. Also some US suppliers will allow you to select a carrier and thus reduce the risk of 'bonus' charges but others dont so check this too.
 
If anyone is having difficulty in purchasing from USA retailers due to not having a US address or US registered Credit Card we may be able to assist you.

We are a UK based Company with an office in Phoenix Arizona where you can arrange to have your goods shipped to and we can then forward them onto you in the UK for a small arrangement fee. Depending on size and value of the item/s we ship via USPS/Royal Mail or DHL.

We also have a fully active US Bank Account and under certain circumstances could even arrange to purchase the item on your behalf and you can reimburse us via your UK Credit Card using our UK based payment system.

Any questions or further info email medusa@medusa-international.com
 
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