Kawasaki Triples Club

I'm dealing with an american guy who is sending me early h1 parts.....very nearly bought a large stash of parts from him but was beaten to it by one of JPs comrades Anyhow he sent a $600 harley part to UK marked as 1970 used etc and customs are asking for £180 to release it !!!! Does this sound OTT ?? The $7000 worth of parts he sent to France attracted a $200 charge???? All feedback would be appreciated. Cheers Rob.

Customs charges here are generally 20% of the declared value PLUS 20% of the postage charge, plus an 8 quid handling fee.

If he'd declared a low value on the Harley part and customs opened and checked it ( as they often do) and sussed it out, they would then base the fee on their estimated value, which is often higher than the actual value....

I guess on a $600 item 20% is $120, plus 20% of whatever the carr charge and then the eight quid fee - you are not gonna be a million miles away from £180 ........ although it does sound a lot.

See points 2.3 and 2.4 on this HMRC link for details of what goes on. I think there is detail in there on how to appeal a valuation too...

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsP...ument#P28_2966

I brought lots of gear in from the US for my old Kwaks recently, I do believe with the duty I have paid on 'em I have likely been keeping an Albanian family of ten in luxury government accommodation.

Maybe they are less strict in France ? In which case, send it there and bring it over as EU stuff falls into a different category

Thanks Charlie I will pass on your comments

If for 7000 $ of parts in France, it was charged 200 $ this means the froggies didn't pay custom at all, custom and VAtcosts are very similar to UK.