[Elecraft] Import tax and VAT (UK)

[David Honey]

I think it also depends on the point of entry and where the customs 
centre is located.
Parcelforce International have a big clearing centre where all 
internal packages arrive.
Unfortunately, as I was told by a customs officer there, their 
computer system does not
accept the full TARIC code. So the officer enters the first N digits. 
In some cases, the
rate of duty varies between the exact codes of that group, so they 
charge the highest
duty of the group.

This is not a problem that suppliers and shippers can solve. It's 
systemic in the poor way in
which the IT support that supports customs within Parcelforce 
International works. So even
though Elecraft uses the correct code and this is demonstrably 
correct, you still get charged.

This happened to me when I ordered the KPA100 option. It took 2 
months to get my money
back. If you use a courier such as UPS, DHL etc, their customs 
clearance processes are
usually better.

So I'm afraid there is little that you can do about this other than 
pursue wrongful
charges vigorously to get your money back. I wrote a letter of 
complaint, but other
than letting off steam, I doubt it had any real effect. Perhaps if 
everyone who suffered
the same fate did likewise, someone in customs in Parcelforce might 
take notice.
Until then, remember the old motto: Nils carborundum illegitemae.

vy 73 de David M0DHO