[Elecraft] Importing from USA to UK

[John Crux]

Digest 112 msg 8/9 .... almost correct.  The routine the UK Post 
Office uses is to check if the item is free from Import Duty (which 
should be OK if the correct code is quoted for an amateur radio kit 
of parts.)  They then take the total cost of the goods PLUS the 
shipping cost, convert this to sterling and add 17.5% VAT, PLUS a 
handling charge.  That is collected on delivery to you.

If there is an Import Duty liability, then the duty is also added in 
BEFORE the 17.5% VAT calculation. It can get quite expensive ...

Note: if the item/package is not a kit and has no great value,  or is 
labelled "replacement parts - FOC" (free of charge) it may sail 
through unchecked. I have had many small items items arrive here 
without charge. There seems to be an element of luck in this.

Stuff imported personally is subject to similar requirements, but 
without the collection/delivery charge. Obviously minor component 
imports may fall inside the personal allowance and need not be 
declared. "Minor" in this context has included hundreds of feet of 
ladderline and rotator cable ...  total value well under the UK 
Customs personal allowance limit. 
Moral: don't buy too much stuff at Dayton ...  see y'all there
John G3JAG
K2 #609 now up to 261 countries, all worked  with a 40m dipole.  Only 
my 15m QRP K2 QSO with VP6DI made it into the 15m log - the 400w QRO 
QSO is not in the log !!.  Now thats MOJO squared !!