Buying from the US.

[Colban]

Has anyone here bought any kit from the US?.
I'm looking to buy a Sargent seat for the 1150 and with the good exchange rate the price looks good.
Ie,price in UK (NN) £265 compared to $349 (£175 approx) from Sargent direct.
That makes about a £90 saving.
However...What else is to be added on.
Would shipping,Import taxes/VAT etc make it not worthwhile?.
Also,what taxes/duties apply to 2nd hand goods,if any?.
Col.

 

[FBF]

i prefer to buy in the US, i run 2 american cars so have to a lot of the time anyway, but there are risks, ie returns are expensive and its not rare to recieve an incorrect order from some companys. this then looses all profits in returning the item. im thinking you would probably end up saving about 20-30 quid in the end after shipping and duty. that said sometimes you never get stung for duty at all. also delivery would only be 7 or so days via USPS (U.S Postal Service) i would say on my deliverys i get to pay out duty on half of it all. you could also tempt the seller in to the sale by asking if they would send the item as 'second-hand parts' which it could easily be, this is then duty free.

just a few tips and ideas

 

[longdog]

Import Duties and Taxes

The simple answer to your question is that Import Duties & Taxes apply to all goods, both new and pre-owned, that are brought in from the USA. Here is a link to the bill/letter/demand that I received after purchasing a second-hand Aerostich suit from a guy in Alaska. The next post is the reply that I cut 'n paste after querying the duty.

Of course, if you know someone who is going to the USA, most American firms and retailers will deliver to the hotel that you are staying at for a very small sum and you could just try bringing it back in a suitcase................

 

[Colban]

Hmmm,thanks for that gents.
I can see any savings being swiftly soaked up by Her Majesty's thieving bastards excise,as well as losing local contact for warranty problems.

 

[FBF]

sorry my bad no duty on 'classic vehicle secondhand parts'

 

[Droopy Dick]

Hmmm,thanks for that gents.
I can see any savings being swiftly soaked up by Her Majesty's thieving bastards excise,as well as losing local contact for warranty problems.

Calamander are the UK importers.

I've just had a problem with a Sargent seat and I have to say that they could not have behaved better.

The problem has been resolved with one email!

Calamander used to offer a loan seat for a week or so at the cost of carriage so that you can see if it suits you before buying ....