406 Wheel shipping
 

I'm currently working with someone in the US on a way to ship a pair of pre-owned HED carbon wheels to the UK; It's a good price and hopefully the shipping won't be a deal breaker; The thing we're trying to work out is the whole issue of payable duty. As pre-owned items the way I see it is that they have already had tax paid on them and should be able to come in the country no problem but I know very little about this sort of thing. I once bought some iPod accessory from the US and they didn't mark it as a 'gift' meaning I ended up paying almost as much as the item.

I know this doesn't really fit in the folding forum but it is for some folder wheels and I just wanted to pick anyone's brains as to what the best plan of action is to get these across the atlantic with no horrible surprises. Any help at all is appreciated. You know you want to see bike-pr0n pix of the first Raleigh Twenty with HED carbon discs on it! ;)

LP,

First I really like your Raleigh 20 site. I'm sure the bike is even better to ride than to look at.

Second, I'm not sure if this is any help but whatever import duties are charged have nothing (directly) to do with what taxes or VAT were collected in the country of origin, but depend on how the UK charges duties on goods brought into the UK. For answers to that take a look at http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk under "individuals and employees" cllick on "travel information" then click on "shopping on the internet" (yes, I know that's not how you're necessarily getting the wheels) and then click on "notice 143." I don't really have the patience to read through that notice but it seems like it at least starts to explain what you want to know. It appears that gifts and used items are charged duty and that you won't be able to take delivery until the duty is paid.

Good luck, and be thankful you're not in Italy (at least for customs purposes), where I am now and where customs delayed a shipment of my own books while I had to fax them numerous (three) declarations saying that the books were my own, were for my own use, would not be sold in Italy, and would return to the US before I did. In fact, to the extent that UK customs officials are more helpful than those here (they could hardly be less helpful) you might be able to get an answer by calling HM Revenue and Customs.

Please post pics when you get the wheels on the bike!

Jonathan

What if you claim that the wheels were 'yours' already and are being shipped back from the US after some 'warranty' repair work? Appropriate papers inside the box and proper 'personal belongings' labels on the outside might work..

Bruce

Just wanted to say thanks for the useful links - most helpful!
Huw