[Elecraft] Can I avoid UK import duty on Elecraft products?

[harryweston@beeb.net]

Hi

I am about to buy my third lot of K2 items. I live in UK and 
bought the first lot, K2, KNB2, KAF2 and KAT2 in late 2001. 
It all came by post with no import duty charged, just the 
expected UK Value Added Tax.

Without the UK A licence I couldn't work HF so I lingered 
over the building, with about six weeks spent enjoying the 
receiver before completing the Transmitter. I did have K2 
#2378 fully operational in time for my Morse test and A 
licence in June 2002. I greatly enjoyed the build, and fully 
endorse all the praise for Elecraft and its products. It is 
so good to deal with a company that has such high ideals, and 
gives such good value. The K2 is exactly the rig for me, 
starting as a novice ham aged 70+

Then I ordered K160RX, KIO2, KSB2 and the MH2 microphone. 
This too came by post, but this time I was incorrectly 
charged 6 GBP, about 4 dollars, import duty. I tried to claim 
it back but I was sent a form that required me to supply 
three things -- the date and port of entry into the UK, and 
the customs valuation -- which I didn't know, and the help 
line was always engaged! Not only that but the form sent to 
me to claim on had no return address given!

For the six quid charge this seemed too much trouble, so I 
didn't bother, but now I want to order the KPA100, KAT100 and 
the mods to convert to B specification. Import duty charged 
(incorrectly) on this would be a considerable amount, so I 
want to avoid incurring it if possible. I will be ordering 
direct from Elecraft via Email.

So, my question is: what carrier do I choose, who would 
correctly classify the items as 'no import duty' and save me 
the cost or problems of reclaiming it? I would rather pay a 
bit more carriage than be wrongly charged.

I read the reflector by downloading the digests each Sunday, 
this is sent on 4th May, so I will download any replies on 
11th May, so please don't be offended if I don't acknlowledge 
until after 18th may!!

73 Harry M0SOP