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Re: Help! Stuck in UK Customs purgatory

Submitted by paul_wilson on Mon, 19/03/2012
Forums
Heavy Twins

I have turned up a useful piece of information which I was going to post on the original thread, but have just had to spend a few moments multi-tasking (searching for the News & Views section, whilst scratching my headâ?.) and searching for the heading.

If I try and avoid mentioning paying a deposit or waiting for my Norton (oooops! Thereâ?.I did it!), I would hope this post doesnât also get canned.

My comment will not help the original poster, Michael Sullivan. I would never know anyway, as he has not responded when I have posted information for him before.

I was discussing the Customs issue with a friend the other day. We both use the old straight razors. Luckily for me, I used to live in Sheffield, when they could be had for 10p. Nowadays, they are regarded as collectors items, so good ones are a daft price,with scrap ones on eBay going for 50% less!

My mate has bought a few from the US and he also got stung by Customs the first few times. He came up with this little gem, which I feel should be available to anyone, without having to log-in.

That is why I am posting this in Heavy Twins. In case anyone wants something from the US, for a Heavy Twin....

He tells me that anyone wishing to have articles which were originally made in the UK sent back to the UK from abroad, should ask the sender to print clearly on the Customs label:

Returning to country of Origin

This should make the item exempt from duty.

I have not tried it yet, so cannot confirm. However, I do intend to give the Customs mob a call and see what they say. Anyone considering it should do the same.

The best thing is that it would be a perfectly legitimate process and doesnât involve telling any âArthur Daleyâ style porkie-pies, which the Customs staff must get a big laugh from as they work out a charge.

A sender shouldnât have a problem with it either, for the same reason.

I hope someone finds this useful.

Paul

Submitted by michael_sullivan on Tue, 20/03/2012

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Paul:

That is a good idea which I will try the next time I ship something over there.

I'm sorry but I do not recall any hints that might have been posted.

MY latest status is that the Preston Depot of the Parcel Force is still holding the item waiting for any action by the Border Agency.

Thanks

Mike

Submitted by paul_wilson on Tue, 20/03/2012

Permalink

Michael Sullivan previously wrote on Tuesday 20th March 2012 at 16.59hrs:

Paul:

That is a good idea which I will try the next time I ship something over there.

I'm sorry but I do not recall any hints that might have been posted.

MY latest status is that the Preston Depot of the Parcel Force is still holding the item waiting for any action by the Border Agency.

Thanks

Mike

Hello Mike,

Well, it is something to remember when you need to just send something one-way.

Obviously the important thing is to do some research in advance, rather than just package the item(s) & head for the Post Office.

Customs & Excise will be only too happy to takethe money, whether justified or not.

It doesnât stop there, because the Royal Mail is also entitled to a âhandling feeâ within the UK, which will add a minimum of £10 to the recipientâs costs.

Iâll jog your memory about appearing to ignore my attempts to answer your questions in the past:

One question about needle positions on your Mod 50, around 18 months ago. Mine was the only reply.

No response from you.

Then I reminded you about it in another of your threads, one of only two people who replied just over a year ago (the one where you were trying to get in touch with Ken Merricks), but again, no response.

I remember thinking: âOh aye, this guy knows how to behave!â

I donât think any of us make the effort expecting praise, or congratulation.

It isnât a big-deal, but is certainly disappointing.

I hope things turn out right with the parts you've sent for renovation.

Paul

Submitted by gordon_johnston on Sun, 29/04/2012

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http://www.themagnetoguys.co.uk/International.php explains what is involved in sending parts to the UK for repair. Worth checking that your friendly UK specialist is conversant with the requirements.

Gordon.

P.S. Looks like it might be a good place to go for mag and dynamo repairs...

Countries outside the European Union have to be treated differently. Using thesame procedure outlined in the previous paragraph often works but sometimesthe incoming parcel is stopped at Customs whenitenters the UK. We are then contacted and asked to pay Import Duty and VAT before they will release it. Ifwe provide our Economic Operator Recognition and Identification (EORI)number and apply for Simplified Inward Processing Relief (IPR),Import Duty and VAT is suspended until we have completed the repair and re-exported it. We then have tosupply details of the import together withproof of re-export to UK Revenue and Customs andthey 'close the import' with no charges being made. Sounds simple but unfortunately not always that straightforward! Needless to say, this process involves us in an appreciable amount of paperwork which could explain why many small companies in the UK no longer wish to trade with overseas customers.Please contact us for a few ideas on how this process might be avoided. Please note, we arenot trying to avoid paying taxes - none are due anyway if the goods are here for repair. We arejust trying to avoid excess paperwork so that we can get back in the workshop!

Submitted by michael_sullivan on Sun, 29/04/2012

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@ Paul Wilson:

I'm sorry if I have offended you but I do not recall posting any questions about needle positions on my Model 50. Nor do I recall the name "Ken Merricks" or any connection thereto.

About your recommendations about doing some research about posting from overseas, I have taken that recommendation to heart. The head is on its way back here after taking a large bite out of my wallet. I hope to be on the road soon.

Thanks

Mike

Submitted by paul_wilson on Sun, 29/04/2012

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Michael Sullivan previously wrote on Sunday 29th April 2012 at 17.33hrs:

@ Paul Wilson:

I'm sorry if I have offended you but I do not recall posting any questions about needle positions on my Model 50. Nor do I recall the name "Ken Merricks" or any connection thereto.

About your recommendations about doing some research about posting from overseas, I have taken that recommendation to heart. The head is on its way back here after taking a large bite out of my wallet. I hope to be on the road soon.

Thanks

Mike

Hello Mike,

Now, you had me wondering there, so I just did a quick scroll through your posts (clicked on your name & one of the menus which comes up).

The ones I chose were:

'Carburetor question' (October 19th 2010)

&

'Mk111 starter mod article in RH # 279' (Feb 13th 2011)

Must have been the other Michael Sullivan......

My apologies if I made a mistake.

About time we wrapped this one up.

------------------------------

Shame about the extra expense, but a featherbed 50 is a lovely bike. There are plenty of things in life which cost more, but aren't so much fun...................

Paul

 


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