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Buying From The UK?

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CinneaghTR

CinneaghTR

Jedi Warrior
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Considering the Rimmer Bros January 20% sale and some other large items I need to get from other vendors over the course of the year, I wanted to make sure I do not overlook anything regarding to total cost of purchasing components from the UK for delivery to the US. Besides purchase price and delivery, what other costs are involved? VAT? Import duty? Taxes? Customs?

TIA.
 
you should get it ex vat.
you'll have to pay import duties - 10 to 30% istr depending on how its labelled, plus shipping.
and don't forget the awful exchange rate.
 
Some items are not aloud to be sent into the US due to our stupid laws...on of these items are bearings. If at all possible stay away from UPS, as your items WILL incurr duty and their lovely little handling charges. If you are in a hurry, use DHL. The standard post via airmail does me just fine. Use your bankcard and the exchange will be simple.
Cheers, David.
 
Grantura_MKI said:
Some items are not aloud to be sent into the US due to our stupid laws...on of these items are bearings. If at all possible stay away from UPS, as your items WILL incurr duty and their lovely little handling charges. If you are in a hurry, use DHL. The standard post via airmail does me just fine. Use your bankcard and the exchange will be simple.
Cheers, David.
Click to expand...
I wish Chinese bearings weren't allowed into the US!
 
Thanks guys.

I need to compare the prices for items that are availabe in the US (SS exhaust and Surrey top bits mainly) to see if there is any savings, but the various Revington TR components and the Honeybourne Mouldings fiberglass hardtop insert can only come from the UK.

It also looks like I should consult the vendors on the cheapest ways of transit.

If and when I learn anything over the year, I'll update the list.
 
Yuo should be ok. Most large vender have experience in packaging to the US as well. I hear you about the bearings.
Cheers, David.
 
I have purchased a number of things from Rimmers. Shipping is about a week ( not bad ) and often these sales can save some coin. You will get a customs bill from ups a while later. The last thing I bought was $300 plus and I got an $8 customs bill. But I saved $75 on the parts.
 
I have been buying lots of parts from the UK for my TR250-PI project. It seems that if you keep the price below 100 bucks then customs does not worry too much about it. In Canada anyway. Its probabley too much paper work for small purchases. As mentioned before stay far away from Fed Ex and places like that if at all possible. Just tell the sender to put it in the mail, airmail on smaller bits is quite reasonable.
 
When I SHIP overseas I always fill out the customs statement saying it's a gift...I've only had one person, in Finland, have to pay customs duty and that was on two radiator hoses!
 
RIMMERS is having a 15% off sale RIGHT NOW!(they sent me a notice)If you send something(VIA USPS) to the UK make sure you fill in stating its A BRITISH CAR "HISTORICAL"part,this came directly from the UK POST.And mark it as a 'GIFT'Send it "ECONOMY LETTER"...EXACT weight is VERY important!If your over a tenth of an oz it goes into the next higher cost bracket.Economy letter will also give you $99.00ins thrown in...I've also ordered a lot from the UK from Rimmers they are VERY FAST you will get it most of the time in 5-6 days.Shipped standard "ROYAL MAIL"
Just RECENTLY they changed some important rules on shipping.....Ken&Whitelightning
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]If you send something(VIA USPS) to the UK make sure you fill in stating its A BRITISH CAR "HISTORICAL"part,this came directly from the UK POST. [/QUOTE]

The UK Customs authorities allow this for used and NOS parts. If its something just manufactured it won't qualify.

I've found that the exemption doesn't allways automatically apply. I repatriated an Austin Healey and obtained an exemption certificate for it, and I need to present that whenever I receive imported parts to prove they are for a "historic" car.

I might note too that describing things as "gifts" when they're not is technically illegal though I've never heard of anyone getting into trouble for it, though I do see some vendors on e-bay saying they won't do that.

I've bought a few things from Rimmers and have found their service excellent. I've e-mailed questions about their parts and they've been very helpful.

The prices on their website do not include VAT, shipments to the US would be exempt from that. The US Customs authorities should be able to tell you what can or cannot be imported, and the applicate rates of duty.
 
I get a kick on the few occasions that I have had to call Rimmer's. They are fun to talk to and try very hard to make the call as short as possible and be as helpful as possible to keep the phone bill down for you. There have been a few occasions where the only way I could find out about a part was by talking to the vendor. They are very helpful. Don't try this with Victoria British. You will shoot yourself.
 
#241082 - Today at 03:42 AM (TIME STAMP)


OK Bill, What in blazes you up at that time? Unless it was just to talk to the UK today!
 
The time difference is only about, what, maybe 6 hours. I'm up at 4:00 every morning anyway. Wake up with the chickens....
 
I got a manifold and two HD8's about 19 pounds (weight not UK money) and DHL charged $140 (USD) FOR THE FREIGHT! Nothing bogus about it and it was the least expensive way. I was told the postal service is unreliable and there is no insurance.

It seems any enterprising person could try to set up a biz as an "out post" of RB or other UK Triumph parts distributor. It would make both sides happy.
 
TR6BILL said:
The time difference is only about, what, maybe 6 hours.
Click to expand...

Just remember the UK is AHEAD, so call in the morning US time.

My relatives that call at, say, 8 pm US (Houston) time don't always get the cheery chat they want when its 4 in the morning here... like it almost is just now....
 
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