Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > January 2005 > 2005.01.31 > 01Prev  Next


UK Customs Charges on Instruments & Gifts
By Kevin McElhone

I would like to warn UK readers that UK Customs rules have changed for
importation to UK from any non-EEC country.  There used to be a 'Nil'
rate for items which you could prove to be over 100 years old, or items
made in European member countries being re-imported into the community,
or indeed, items sent for restoration elsewhere.

Well, I am now informed that, as a retaliatory measure in response to
import duty applied by USA to items imported from Europe, the 'Nil'
rate has changed to be a five percent rate minimum charge.  Basically
we are 'punished' for not buying locally in our own country, even though
most of these things are not available here.

Even rules about small parcels have changed, with duty being payable on
_gifts_ over £18 now, whereas it used to be £35 before, so think twice
about what you send as a present.

Parcelforce UK now charge £8 to knock on the door and collect the
customs charges, and U.P.S. now charge £13 ($26) to knock on the door
and collect customs charges for parcels delivered, which is on top of
any customs duty or V.A.T. (at 17.5%).

Therefore do bear this in mind if you are thinking of importing
anything from USA as, whilst the USA dollar is at a very good rate for
UK at the moment, the import charges are not.

Conversely, postal rates will be going up here in UK from April 2005,
so if possible please order items from me before they go up.

If you would like a current list please contact me at
<kevin_mcelhone@hotmail.com> or see my web site at
http://members.lycos.co.uk/kmcelhone/

Kevin McElhone
Northampton, UK


(Message sent Mon 31 Jan 2005, 14:57:54 GMT, from time zone GMT.)

Key Words in Subject:  Charges, Customs, Gifts, Instruments, UK

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page