Buying in USA

Norman_E

Norman_E

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Further to my thread on getting a new VHF with a command mic, I have found the same set for sale in the USA here Ignore the quoted price, that is just the lowest they can advertise, the real price works out at less than £70, as against about £130 here. (the command mic is extra and cheaper here. The US sold set is switchable between US, Canadian and International channels so that should not be a problem, but it is probably not CE marked. SWMBO is in the US at present and could bring one back. Should I give a toss whether it is CE marked or not?
 
Has anyone on here ever had their VHF set questioned?
Incidentally today I received some stuff ordered from the States. The saving after I paid for import duties, shipping, VAT was about 25% on a £600 order.
The stuff I ordered here to go with the stuff I ordered from the States is not expected to be in stock for a couple of weeks. I wish I had ordered these bits from the States as well.
 
Useful bit in the InGear section of the Sunday Times this w/end - to quote (not word for word):
Not everything attracts import duty, some things are exempt (some cameras, and laptops for example). Find a full list at www.uktradeinfo.com.
For companies that won't ship to the uk you can buy via www.usabox.com or www.myus.com
Currently, a MacBook Pro would cost you 1799 in the UK and would cost 1607 buying from the US ( £1350 + £0 import duty + £236 vat + £22 shipping ). Watch out for power supplies, as they'll come with the US 110v one (may not matter for some things, as some power supplies are rated at 100-250v).
 
Unrelated to VHFs but I bought a pair of Hobie Tiger daggerboards from the USA and even after shipping & import duty they still worked out cheeper than buying them in the UK.....they are manufactured in France.
 
No, I wouldnt give a toss, as i have said before many times, american boat comes here with one of these onboard, does it stop working when he gets within 12 miles of us? does anybody give a stuff? when was the last time anyone had ANYTHING checked for its CE mark? NO NO and Never.
my cobra has the same switch, my previous shakespeare had one, just switch to int and away you go.
Stu
 
[ QUOTE ]
In the very unlikely event that someone inspects your VHF it is illegal to operate a non CE marked set. In the real world know one would ever know I imagine

[/ QUOTE ]

One of the things that has happened since Ofcom has got rid of licence fees is that the spare staff have been redeployed and they are now doing on site in marina inspections. They feel that the penalties are now more reasonable and are therefore taking steps they never took before to enforce the regs and prosecute. Or at least this is what I've been told. And it is a story they would like to spread.

As the saying goes - you pays your money and makes your choice.
 
The link does not work so don't know what you want to buy but IMHO go for an Icom 422.
Cheaper makes don't have the quality. Audio quality, dsc features, etc
but definatly buy in the US. You will miss out on M1 and M2 as these are Uk not international chanels.
For 300 USD a great VHF radio setup.
 
I suppose you could get her to bring it home in a brown paper bag then add some mucky marks & scratches to the case and tell anyone who asks that it is used & was a present.

Might reduce your vat/ duty liability, but probably illegal. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Most, if not all, of Guapa's electronics have been bought in the US - with one exception: radio equipment.
CE markings are not checked in the UK, but I know of people who were checked in Holland last year.

As to command mike: we've got the Icom M-603 with command mike. Brilliant piece of kit. Keep an eye on eBay - got ours there for less than £300 (BNIB incl command mike)
 
Bank transfer usually £35+ . Banker's order useful when needing a credible instrument to present in person. Otherwise credit card better arrangement.

For really large sums to translate abroad, use HIFX direct to specified account - moves by wire, and very dependable - providing the recipient can be trusted to perform!

PWG
 
I can hardly believe I'm reading some of this stuff. So I'm cruising the east coast of the USA in my UK registered vessel and my VHF dies.... Is anyone seriously saying that I need to replace it with a CE stamped device (probably specially ordered from the EC) so I can avoid Dutch customs problems in the unlikely event that I go there. Or are we saying that its illegal to fit one even if I never go back to the EEC. What if I pop into Martinique? This is crass stupidity.

Can anyone point to a source of authoritative information and guidance?

Thanks!
 
Many thanks Guapa! Seems we are suffering from 'channelitis'. I have a professional aviation background where we use plain old frequencies - much easier and no customs man has ever asked me to remove the radio so he can see the sticker!

Thanks for your help!
 
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