Far East Sails

[asj1]

I have been considering buying a new mainsail and have obtained a quote over the internet from the abovem which inevitably looks very competetive especiallyas it is in US$. Two questions:
a) has anyone actually got personal experience of their quality/service?
b) the proice quoted includes air shipment to the UK. Obviously therefore I must pay 17.5% VAT, but the question is what other costs am I likely to pay - again has anyone any direct experience? Presumably I will have to go to the airport to collect which may be problematic in terms of time, but I also suspect there would be other costs such as 'clearance fees' etc and I wouldn't want to go this route for a 10% saving, on the other hand a 40% saving would be worthwhile.

Regards

 

[Dalliance]

I can't answer question "a" but the answer to question "b" is that there is no answer to question "b"! Last year I was interested in buying a self-build swimming pool kit from the US and contacted HMRC to ask what import duty would be charged. No-one was prepared to decide what category such a personal import would fall into and thus stated that the duty charged would be likely to be between 10% and 100% depending upon the decision made by the duty HMRC person at the point of entry (plus 17.5% VAT) - . At 10% duty it was a bargain, at 100% duty it was cheaper to buy in the UK so I cancelled the order. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
I hope you have more luck.

 

[Salty John]

I've imported two sails from the USA, I'm sure the procedure is the same from Far East. When the parcel arrives in the UK you will be sent a bill for the VAT and clearance charge, which I believe is £8. You can pay over the phone and the parcel will be delivered in a couple of days.
In my case the mainsail was lost by Parcelforce - who handle incoming parcels - and was returned to the USA and then resent. That was unusual, but no less annoying, so make sure you get a tracking number from the supplier so you can check when it arrives in the UK, and call them if the bill doesn't arrive a few days later. They return to sender after 30 days if unclaimed and the payment not made.
Theoretically quite painless.

 

[jema]

we bought fairly hi spec laminate crusing sails made heaven only knows where - china i think, via a british supplier - who's whole business is importing - Momentum sails- this was after trawling boatshow last year, paid 1/2 the std uk cost, boat was measured by Arun, who were in the loop with momentum, so these were bespoke sails, they were a month late in arriving, but quality excellant ,but as far as value for money & minimising risk...as in having an english office to chase ... great - ( no i'm not connected with them !)