I recently bought a Heil HC-4 & HC-5 modified Yaesu microphone for my FT-817 (OK..... sometimes my K2 is just too precious to carry about.... perhaps I should carry it!) from WRTwhatsisname. I was a little concerned about what it would cost me in import duty and/or VAT to the United Kingdom. It was coming via Global Priority Mail (US Post Office?) and in my experience is handled over here in the UK by the Post Office. I should say that when I last ordered from the USA items delivered each time by Global Priority, the UK Post Office had obviously not got their act together (post 9/11 and 2 years after) and I was never even once charged any VAT. The items were just delivered. The Post Office is obviously more efficient now so when the microphone arrived in the UK a card was put through my door saying payment was due. I could not work out the amount they were asking which was definitely more than just the VAT so I went to my local library and consulted the "United Kingdom Integrated Tariff", 3 volumes. A hefty set of books indeed wherein every conceivable item is allocated a code number from which its' import duty liability can be calculated. I went to the library because I felt sure that the Post Office were about to overcharge me (you can pay by card over phone then they deliver or as I did, go straight to the sorting office and pay over the counter to collect). Anyhow...... every items is allocated a "CN" number. Radio transceivers and related equipment (seemingly including kits, and even mobile phones for that matter [the latter surprised me]) are in the series "85 17" Transceivers are 85 17 18 00 00 Parts for above 85 17 70 19 90 and they are all totally exempt from import duty. Microphones (not part of a transceiver) are 2.5% import duty unless for aviation in which evenbt they are import duty free. Unless they are smaller than xxx X xxxxx (need I go on? World governments have obviously thought of everything).
To cut a long story short, I wrote it all down then went to the sorting office expecting an argument but to my amazement the HM Revenue & Customs (at something Hill in London, forget the address) had only charged VAT (which applies to pretty much everything) because it seems the customs form on the outside of the package was pre-printed "85 17". In other works, master headings or chapter headings from the Integrated Tariff are given their own customs forms so I guess the person who did the asessment in London just saw the 85 17 and presumed it wasn't worth bothering to check the sub headings. In other words, with the microphone from Heil, if he had noticed the package also contained 85 18 10 95 90 (the mic) he would have charged 2.5%. It seems the Post Office in the UK charge £8 fee for clearing the item through customs so I needn't have bothered going to the library after all. The moral of the tale seems to be that importing transceivers, receivers or parts therefore, no import duty is due and SO LONG as the sender quotes the correct CN number on the declaration "85 17 18 00 00" then only VAT will have to be paid. Sorry to be so pedantic but when it comes to customs declarations I fear it is necessary. Cheers Dominic, G4SLW K2# 3071 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
