[Elecraft] Import Duty UK

[Marcus Busch [DL1EKC]]

Hi John and All,

> remember reading somewhere that this equipment should be duty exempt. Can any

Have You really payed import duty or did You pay value added tax ?

Elecraft parts are indeed duty exempt, but You have to pay the usual value 
added tax. This should be true in whole EU.

But You have brought attention to an important topic:

At least here in Germany it is an absolutely annoying task receiving 
parcels from the US, especially from Elecraft. It seems USPS forwards the 
Elecraft parcels to just any international carrier instead to the official 
german carrier.

These commercial carriers require the customer to sign an agreement about 
the execution of the customs formatlities. Of course they charge high fees 
for the execution of the formalities. These could be done directly at 
customs free of charge. But if You do not sign they just refuse to give 
You the parcel.

Sometimes after weeks of writing letters and making unpleasantly phone 
calls they forward the parcel to You. But actually I'm in controversy with 
"General Logistics Systems" (formerly German Parcel). And it seems they 
will return my parcel to Elecraft.

It's really annoying. If USPS forwards the parcel to "Deutsche Post AG" / 
"DHL" (formerly official postal service) all runs smoothly. But it's a 
lottery game.

If Elecraft is reading this: Can Elecraft get in contact with USPS and ask 
them, if it is possible to predetermine the international carrier to which 
the parcels are forwarded?

I'm running out of ideas on this ...

VY 73 de Marcus, DL1EKC