Sending a new propellor to Portugal

[mainsail1]

I bought a new propellor in the UK. I want to fit it on the boat in Portugal. I thought I would just send it ahead by DPD as a parcel but having started the process I am baffled by the customs side, even to the extent that I don't know what category to put the item in and whether it will attract duty or how to define its transfer as none of the listed items seems appropriate.
Does anyone know what to do for the best?

 

[Graham376]

I bought a new propellor in the UK. I want to fit it on the boat in Portugal. I thought I would just send it ahead by DPD as a parcel but having started the process I am baffled by the customs side, even to the extent that I don't know what category to put the item in and whether it will attract duty or how to define its transfer as none of the listed items seems appropriate.
Does anyone know what to do for the best?

If you're coming from the UK, stick it in the hold bag to avoid carriage charges and VAT on arrival.

 

[mainsail1]

Thanks for that. I was trying to avoid using up much of my baggage allowance by sending it on ahead but I guess I will just have to put it in the hold. My other concern is when the bag goes through the X-ray they will be puzzled by this strange shape in the bag. It is an auto prop.

 

[Frogmogman]

There will be no duty as such payable on your propellor, but you would be liable to pay VAT. In my experience the courier companies now seem to have this fairly well sorted, and will email the addressee to demand payment, which you can do online. Had you ordered your propellor for delivery to the EU, you should have been able to buy it free of UK VAT from the supplier.

As a passenger you are allowed to bring UK VAT paid goods into the EU to the value of (I think) £390 without having to declare it for VAT purposes; any more than this VAT is liable on the whole amount. Unless you got an astonishing bargain on your Auto prop, you will be above the threshold.

 

[mainsail1]

Thank you for the reply.
The Propellor people did give me a VAT recovery form but this is all new to me and I am not sure what to do. I tried to ask HM customs but that was a joke.
Maybe I should send the propellor to Gibraltar for when we arrive there?

 

[martyn78]

If you send it in your hold/cabin luggage make sure it is easily taken out and unwrapped. I took a wind generator on a flight, being basically a large magnet with wires coming from it, kind of ball shaped with an electronic circuit board, it set off more alarms than I care to repeat again, the word bomb was whispered by a few fellow passengers.

 

[Bilgediver]

Thank you for the reply.
The Propellor people did give me a VAT recovery form but this is all new to me and I am not sure what to do. I tried to ask HM customs but that was a joke.
Maybe I should send the propellor to Gibraltar for when we arrive there?

If you fly out from a UK airport then you can use the VAT recovery form to recover the UK VAT. Usually there is a post box at departures to post the documentation.

 

[Graham376]

If you fly out from a UK airport then you can use the VAT recovery form to recover the UK VAT. Usually there is a post box at departures to post the documentation.

Is this scheme still in operation? VAT reclaim on tourist retail purchases has been stopped, except in N Ireland.

 

[ChromeDome]

UNSPCS code is 25111902 .
Could be a way to align with customs here and there.

VAT recalim is an every day event in airports. Try getting in contact with customs there - they'd like so much more to help you before going than to manage the matter while you arrive for departure.

Agree to keeping the prop handy. Put something uninteresting in the hold luggage, prioritize the prop in a carry-on cabin-allowed-size bag. And keep the invoice ready at all times .

 

[st599]

You'd still be expected to go down the red lane on arrival though.

 

[Graham376]

UNSPCS code is 25111902 .
prioritize the prop in a carry-on cabin-allowed-size bag. And keep the invoice ready at all times .

Having had problems at security with various items, my guess is a heavy metal object in carry on bag wouldn't get through, anything which could be used to cause injury (however unlikely) needs to be in hold baggage. Forget declaring it on arrival, just another tourist in green channel.

 

[ChromeDome]

Having had problems at security with various items, my guess is a heavy metal object in carry on bag wouldn't get through, anything which could be used to cause injury (however unlikely) needs to be in hold baggage. Forget declaring it on arrival, just another tourist in green channel.

Point taken.

 

[mainsail1]

Thanks for all the advice. The item weighs 3 kg more than I am allowed in hand luggage so I will have to put it in the hold.
I have been thinking about whether I am importing it to Portugal or not. The propellor will be fitted the next day to a UK registered boat and we will sail for Gibraltar the day after.
Are there any customs wiz kids who know the definition of "import"?

 

[25931]

Thanks for all the advice. The item weighs 3 kg more than I am allowed in hand luggage so I will have to put it in the hold.
I have been thinking about whether I am importing it to Portugal or not. The propellor will be fitted the next day to a UK registered boat and we will sail for Gibraltar the day after.
Are there any customs wiz kids who know the definition of "import"?

Forget the whiz kids - this is Portugal so the only one who matters is he who happens to have the power i.e. the official that you have the luck (or otherwise )to meet.
You say fitted the next day. Is the boat ashore ? If so consider the costs in Gib.

 

[greeny]

I'm making the assumption you're flying into Faro. I've never seen anyone stopped and searched at Faro customs channel in the 22 years I've been flying through there at mostly twice a month until 5 or 6 years ago. If you're flying this month, amongst the hordes of terrorists coming to the Algarve, then I can't believe anyone is going to be remotely interested in your case or whats in it. Obviously a risk strategy but I would stick it in my case and breeze through with all the other peeps. If you get stopped then you pay the duty and claim the Vat back in UK but very unlikely in my opinion. I wouldn't dare list the stuff I've brought through Faro in my suitcase over the years on this forum.

 

[KevinV]

... until 5 or 6 years ago.

I think things have changed a bit, but I don't want a ban, so shan't mention the "after A"-word

 

[Frogmogman]

FWIW I have a Bruntons Auto prop fitted to my boat, and i think it’s a pretty damn fine bit of kit. Soooo, I’d just like to reassure the OP that his efforts to get one out to his boat in Portugal are worthwhile.

Fingers crossed that props are a less controversial subject on this site than anchors ?

 

[greeny]

I think things have changed a bit, but I don't want a ban, so shan't mention the "after A"-word

I still fly regularly, just not as often. I still say that the risk of being pulled over at Faro for prop in hold baggage is next to zero. I don't see that the b word has changed anything for hold baggage, only the passengers have to go through the "new" system. Baggage is the same as ever was.

Threat drift and as an aside, this is stupid. Why can't we mention Brexit. It was an event in time that changed many things and many peoples lives. It is a point in tim that everyone can relate to when rules changed for travelling and lots of other things. As long as we don't get political over it then I don't see the issue. Lets see if I get banned for saying that. I'm sure the admin/moderators are intelligent people and can see the difference between political rants and arguments, and the discussion of the regs and rules as they stand in a calm controlled manner with a view to helping others on the forum.

 

[st599]

I still fly regularly, just not as often. I still say that the risk of being pulled over at Faro for prop in hold baggage is next to zero. I don't see that the b word has changed anything for hold baggage, only the passengers have to go through the "new" system. Baggage is the same as ever was.

Threat drift and as an aside, this is stupid. Why can't we mention Brexit. It was an event in time that changed many things and many peoples lives. It is a point in tim that everyone can relate to when rules changed for travelling and lots of other things. As long as we don't get political over it then I don't see the issue. Lets see if I get banned for saying that. I'm sure the admin/moderators are intelligent people and can see the difference between political rants and arguments, and the discussion of the regs and rules as they stand in a calm controlled manner with a view to helping others on the forum.

The personal limit has changed - it's now 390 Euros (or 290 if arriving by yacht)

 

[KevinV]

I still fly regularly, just not as often. I still say that the risk of being pulled over at Faro for prop in hold baggage is next to zero. I don't see that the b word has changed anything for hold baggage, only the passengers have to go through the "new" system. Baggage is the same as ever was.

Threat drift and as an aside, this is stupid. Why can't we mention Brexit. It was an event in time that changed many things and many peoples lives. It is a point in tim that everyone can relate to when rules changed for travelling and lots of other things. As long as we don't get political over it then I don't see the issue. Lets see if I get banned for saying that. I'm sure the admin/moderators are intelligent people and can see the difference between political rants and arguments, and the discussion of the regs and rules as they stand in a calm controlled manner with a view to helping others on the forum.

Fair enough - it wasn't clear (to me) that your experience was current