Chandlery from the USA

[Ian_Edwards]

I'm looking for a solar powered vent to match the ones on the boat, I've looked extensively online and posted requests for info on this forum without success.

Last night whilst looking for something different, I came across an exact replacement (Nicro MiniVent 1000), but they are expensive ~£150 each, when you include the delivery charge, it's sold by Amazon and will come in from the USA.

Does anyone know if I'll be charged import duty?

My plan is to buy one, so I can swap one out, without leaving a hole in the deck, and then see if I can repair the old one, with a new fan and/or new solar cells. If the repair is successful I'll run a rolling program to repair the other 3.

Anyone had any experience of in importing chandlery from the USA via Amazon?

 

[pvb]

Whether or not you get charged import duty (and VAT) is a bit random. I've bought quite a lot of stuff from the USA and in about 30% of cases haven't had to pay duty/VAT. You might be lucky and not be charged.

Incidentally, it's a bit cheaper at BoatStoreUSA - http://www.boatstoreusa.com/ducting...l-cowl-vents/afi-n20030-3in-ss-minivent-1000/ - always assuming the shipping cost is comparable.

 

[[3889]]

Chinese stuff off eBay normally arrives marked "Commercial sample" to avoid duty. I suspect an established US company may not want to engage in this sort of practice - but you could always ask. I would anticipate paying import duty if I were you.

 

[25931]

Chinese stuff off eBay normally arrives marked "Commercial sample" to avoid duty. I suspect an established US company may not want to engage in this sort of practice - but you could always ask. I would anticipate paying import duty if I were you.

I had to pay (in Portugal) last month.

 

[glenp]

I generally assume duty will be charged and consider it a bonus if it isn't! Remember that depending on the item you may be charged VAT at 20% plus duty at whatever rate it is this month for that class of items.

Also worth checking in general if they can despatch using US Postal Service not UPS - the latter can charge a very high sum for customs clearance, etc. (once had a cable from the States, cable cost was under £10, VAT/duty peanuts, UPS charged £35 handling fee on top of the carriage charge).

Glen

 

[BACUS]

As said before hit and miss.
50/50 chance of paying duty
regards
Bacus

 

[JumbleDuck]

Do you have any American friends who could bring you a gift? Curiously enough, a Yanmar 1GM10 cylinder head, thermostat, oil pressure sender and associated gaskets together cost just a whisker under the duty free limit for presents.

 

[VicMallows]

There is a very clear guide here:

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channels...ntent&id=HMCE_CL_000014&propertyType=document

Essentially, anything over £15 is liable to VAT (unless it is a gift in which case it is £36). Anything over £135 is also liable to duty + VAT.

The real killer for lowish (but over £15) items is that Royal Mail will add a fixed service fee (£10 from memory) no matter how small the amount of VAT due. If the item is door-to-door by an alternative carrier their charges may vary.

 

[ianabc]

We find in Canada that

UPS

charges huge fees, often 1/2 or more of item cost for their internal so called handling and processing fees

FEDEX is reasonable but charges handling fees that are higher than US Mail /USPS

BUT

US Mail (United States Postal Service) charges on delivery

are reasonable

They'll be your Royal Mail handling charges plus import fees

 

[thalassa]

There is a very clear guide here:

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channels...ntent&id=HMCE_CL_000014&propertyType=document

Essentially, anything over £15 is liable to VAT (unless it is a gift in which case it is £36). Anything over £135 is also liable to duty + VAT.

The real killer for lowish (but over £15) items is that Royal Mail will add a fixed service fee (£10 from memory) no matter how small the amount of VAT due. If the item is door-to-door by an alternative carrier their charges may vary.

Well, I ordered a part in the USA, it arrived together with a Customs invoice for the duty. However, I wasn't pleased with the quality, and complained to the seller. He was annoyed with the problem, and send a new part for free, without me having to send the original back. That was really kind, but he had put a sticker on the packet 'Value $120'. I wasn't happy with having to pay £25 duty a second time, for what was essentially a FREE item...

 

[JumbleDuck]

The real killer for lowish (but over £15) items is that Royal Mail will add a fixed service fee (£10 from memory) no matter how small the amount of VAT due. If the item is door-to-door by an alternative carrier their charges may vary.

For cheap things one can always just ignore the card from the Post Office saying "Come and pay us some VAT and an extortionate handling charge".

 

[VicMallows]

Well, I ordered a part in the USA,...................but he had put a sticker on the packet 'Value $120'. I wasn't happy with having to pay £25 duty a second time, for what was essentially a FREE item...

Most Americans have no concept of things like import duties, TV licences, etc. Why should they? .. the vast majority never feel any need to venture outside their own vast country. They are often genuinely surprised at the different bureaucracy outside the US.

On the other hand (unless things have changed without my notice) they routinely order goods from out-of-State because this often avoids State sales tax!

(In contrast, Chinese suppliers seem VERY in tune with our import regime )

 

[nigelmercier]

Get them to send it by the slowest method, not FedEx etc. Much less chance of paying duty that way.

Of course your first problem is convincing them that other countries exist.

 

[alahol2]

http://www.leisureshopdirect.com/caravan/gas/product_22304/nicro_3_inch_white_minivent_1000_-_n20020.aspx

 

[Border Terrier]

Well, I ordered a part in the USA, it arrived together with a Customs invoice for the duty. However, I wasn't pleased with the quality, and complained to the seller. He was annoyed with the problem, and send a new part for free, without me having to send the original back. That was really kind, but he had put a sticker on the packet 'Value $120'. I wasn't happy with having to pay £25 duty a second time, for what was essentially a FREE item...

"Ouch!"

But VAT is chargeable on the declared value, converted to GB£'s, of the goods, carriage and insurance costs if imported from outside the EEC. Certain classes of goods also attract duty.

HMRC always get you all ways!

 

[pvb]

http://www.leisureshopdirect.com/caravan/gas/product_22304/nicro_3_inch_white_minivent_1000_-_n20020.aspx

I assumed the OP would have the stainless steel versions on his boat.

 

[alahol2]

I assumed the OP would have the stainless steel versions on his boat.

If so, it may well be worth approaching the company to see if they can supply the stainless version. They must have some link to the wholesaler/importer.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Get them to send it by the slowest method, not FedEx etc. Much less chance of paying duty that way. …….

I ordered slim line engine mounts from America for my old Perkins. I was in no hurry so took surface mail route which was also cheeper. I had to pay duty on them as they arrived at a Royal mail depot according to documents received from the Royal Mail. I work abroad month on/month off and by the time I got round to phoning up the number to make the payment they were sent back to sender due to unpaid duty. This resulted in about 4 months of shipping time. The company refunded the costs in full to my credit card as the goods had not been received.

 

[PCUK]

US Amazon won't sell to the UK.

 

[abraxus]

I've ordered from amazon US before with no problems. Depends on the product and the seller.