Hi,
Does anyone have experience of buying tackle from America.
I have just followed the link on the AN home page to a company in the Staes that sells Okuma reels at a fraction of the price over here.
Looking at postage and import taxes (if they apply) is it worth buying from this company?
Thanks,
Comus

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Comus - when I first started posting here we estimated that by the time you paid all the extras, an item from the US would cost you about £1 per $1 of the US listed price.

At that time the US Dollar was much stronger against the GBP at about $1.40 to £1. Now it is more like $1.91 to £1 so much more in your favor and I'd imagine that if you figure on spending £0.8 per $1 of the listed price you'll be on the safe side.

I know some of the folks here routinely order from across the pond so can probably give you a more precise answer.

Check the total cost and then go for it. Mail the company, ask for their P&P charge to the UK then add 23% (approx Duty and VAT) to the total including P&P and if its still cheap then go for it. If you have a choice then ask for the carrier to be the US Postal Service (USPS). They're cheaper.

[ 07. March 2005, 09:47 PM: Message edited by: argyll ]

or try spain a chap who sells at a carboot comes back with a bootfull of all makes and makes a good living ,he says their a fraction of british prices and far lower than even the trade price :mad:

no comment

[ 07. March 2005, 11:19 PM: Message edited by: hermes ]

hermes - I'm not that up to date on UK laws but at a guess, you may have just publicly admitted to committing a crime. I know in the US you would have as would the shop in question.

We do have some UK legal experts on here - maybe one will comment?

Newt -crime eh, I think thats a bit strong.

no mention of specific companies, products, names, dates, adresses or even me finger prints.
Newt -like I said, it's still better value even if you have to pay the import tax at customs, correct me if I'm wrong but you only have to paid said tax if asked to.

I'm a shaking in my waders!!

Fraid Newt is right. It is illegal to put the wrong value on a parcel and in cases where this happens, the recipient becomes liable. ie you are deemed responsible for ensuring that it doesn't happen. Most reputable tackle (and camera} dealers state in their terms and conditions that the purchaser will be responsible for all Tax and Duty and that the seller will never knowingly understate the value of the parcel or falsely declare the contents. The last bit is important with cameras since there is no Duty payable on digital still equipment, although Duty still remains payable on film cameras and camcorders. You might find a private seller on Ebay prepared to fiddle the Customs declaration, but I wouldnt suggest that you ask. If HM customs open the parcel and find all is not as stated then for sure you'll lose the parcel at the very least.You may even attract a hefty fine. Its also not a good idea to publically identify yourself as a lawbreaker or incite others to do so too. You'd be surprised how many different government agencies follow these forums.

wish I had never commented now on whats meant to be a fun fishing forum thats fast turnign into a court room drama.
I kit I got from the USA was in fact two digital camera lenses.
Now why don't we carry on fishing.

Hermes,

No-one is having a go at you. Just pointing out the law. Unfortunately, it's what we have to abide by.

I run a mail order business and sometimes get asked to lie about values. If I did, I could go to jail. I could probably mug an old granny, rob a bank or shoplift and get away with it, but tax evasion is an easy one for them to nail you on!

All the best,

Elton