Has anyone imported things from Sailrite (in the USA) into the UK?

[Poignard]

I'm thinking of buying a hot knife from Sailrite Corp. The price (£78, including 10% introductory discount), is much cheaper than buying the same model from UK suppliers BUT what is the likelihood of getting charged import duty on it?

 

[sarabande]

I think there is a trigger limit of around £15, above which the HMRC start getting interested. Perhaps an international courier could advise you ?

Roya, Mail apply a charge willy-nilly.

http://www.royalmail.com/personal/help-and-support/Ive-received-a-card-asking-for-a-payment

 

[davidej]

In my meagre experience, almost all US vendors insist on using UPS or similar and their charges negate the savings,

 

[Salty John]

Add 40% to the US price and if it is still cheaper it is probably worth it. Duty, handling charge and VAT typically add a little more than 40%.

 

[merlin3688]

We buy our Harken parts from the USA, we get hit by tax but still works out cheaper then buying from the UK.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HSGM-Rope...UK_Sporting_Goods_Sailing&hash=item233b459def

 

[nigelmercier]

Do they sell the 230V model in the USA?

 

[Poignard]

Thanks for the advice. Looks like a good deal of uncertainty about it.

And yes, Nigel Mercier, they do have a 230v model (well 220v) http://www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-Edge-Hotknife-Package-220-Volt-European

 

[theoldsalt]

I purchased a Hella mast mounted deck light from this US company http://www.discountmarinesupplies.com/
It was my first purchase from the US and I was apprehensive, however delivery was prompt and there was no duty or tax added when delivered. I paid for it using Paypal. The price was $72.92 (incl. delivery) which was about a third of the cost of a UK source (when in stock).

 

[petehitch]

Toplicht in Germany sell a very good one for 89 euros. I have used it for 6yrs with no problems.

 

[nigelmercier]

...they do have a 230v model (well 220v) http://www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-Edge-Hotknife-Package-220-Volt-European

That isn't the same as the one they use in their videos, it's one of these: http://www.sailrite.com/Engel-Hotknife-220-Volt to which you need to add a blade.

I researched this some time ago, and bought the same model (with blade) on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1tWajkz

 

[Poignard]

That isn't the same as the one they use in their videos, it's one of these: http://www.sailrite.com/Engel-Hotknife-220-Volt to which you need to add a blade.

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This is the video I found on the Sailrite website

http://www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-Edge-Hotknife-Package-220-Volt-European#videos

Looks the same to me (apart from the voltage, of course).

The Amazon HSGM is dearer and doesn't include a case, cutting foot, cleaning brush.

 

[pvb]

I'm thinking of buying a hot knife from Sailrite Corp. The price (£78, including 10% introductory discount), is much cheaper than buying the same model from UK suppliers BUT what is the likelihood of getting charged import duty on it?

It looks like they'll use UPS for shipping, and I'd say it's pretty certain you'll get charged duty & VAT (and possibly UPS collection fees). So reckon on it costing you £100+.

Is it noticeably better than this £56 hotknife? http://www.uktarps.com/hot-knife-rope-cutter.html?language=en&currency=GBP

 

[Poignard]

I

Is it noticeably better than this £56 hotknife? http://www.uktarps.com/hot-knife-rope-cutter.html?language=en¤cy=GBP

I honestly don't know. I suppose I am influenced by seeing that Sailrite appear to use the one they sell and I know nothing about the UKtarps one. Do you have one?

 

[pvb]

I honestly don't know. I suppose I am influenced by seeing that Sailrite appear to use the one they sell and I know nothing about the UKtarps one. Do you have one?

No, I don't have one, and don't need one. When I cut rope, I use a Stanley knife and seal the end in a gas flame. But a hotknife is only a transformer with a blade on the end, so I don't see why the cheaper one shouldn't work OK for occasional use. In fact, I just saw the cheaper one even cheaper - only £38 - at this site http://ropecutters.co.uk/page3.html , which also seems to have the one you were wanting to buy at only £70.

 

[Poignard]

I mainly want it to cut and seal synthetic fabrics.

 

[Debenair]

I have imported quite a lot of stuff from the USA and never been charged import duty.
However, you will be charged VAT on the gross cost to you. Ie the cost of the goods and the declared packing and postage. Most of the companies I bought from used USPS and provided a tracking number.
Also you will probably need to leg it to your nearest parcel force depot to collect so factor that in.

Even so the savings can be huge on items like Harken and Wichard.
I found Mauri Pro an excellent chandlery and also bought lots of blocks from Garhauer in California. Great quality and about 30% of the cost of UK Harken equivalents.

 

[GrahamM376]

I think there is a trigger limit of around £15, above which the HMRC start getting interested. Perhaps an international courier could advise you ?

Roya, Mail apply a charge willy-nilly.

http://www.royalmail.com/personal/help-and-support/Ive-received-a-card-asking-for-a-payment

I've had a small parcel/Jiffy bag from the States delivered today by Royal Mail. As before, no duty or VAT to pay.

 

[DownWest]

Friend locally bought a small sail kit and it didn't trigger any duties or costs.

As for cutting sail cloth, I use a slightly sharpened soldering iron, works fine.

 

[theoldsalt]

No, I don't have one, and don't need one. When I cut rope, I use a Stanley knife and seal the end in a gas flame. But a hotknife is only a transformer with a blade on the end, so I don't see why the cheaper one shouldn't work OK for occasional use. In fact, I just saw the cheaper one even cheaper - only £38 - at this site http://ropecutters.co.uk/page3.html , which also seems to have the one you were wanting to buy at only £70.

The cheaper cutter in the link looks very similar to my soldering iron (eg http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Weller-92...rg=20140407115239&rk=2&rkt=20&sd=171303394216) so by buying the replacement cutter blade I could convert the soldering iron to a rope cutter and save some money.

 

[charles_reed]

I'm thinking of buying a hot knife from Sailrite Corp. The price (£78, including 10% introductory discount), is much cheaper than buying the same model from UK suppliers BUT what is the likelihood of getting charged import duty on it?

My experience is that, by the time you've paid the kleptocrats, you'll save little if anything. Best sent by USPS and marked as a sample, in which case you'll not be levied. Most courier companies obtain an income stream from collecting VAT and excise duties on behalf of the national Excise.
Recent example a US$ 245 anchor, had a levy of €87.30 via UPS. This in £sterling constant works out @ 45%. I'd suggest you take the US$ price and multiply by 1.5 to cover Customs, VAT and shipping on anything which won't come as letter post. By letter post you've a 60% chance no-one will bother.
It's well worth buying from the US fo higher spec, but seldom for lower prices.