[UK-CONTEST] Import duty on radio kit

[Steve Thompson]

If you want to find a EU code, go to
http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds/tarhome_en.htm
search on Taric code, then browse. The US equivalent is at
http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/bychapter/index.htm
It's quite interesting to see some of the detail applied to 
specific items.

There is a difficulty in that US and EU codes are not harmonised 
and a US shipper and US export authorities might not recognise a 
EU one. When shipping out to the US, I usually end up putting 
separate EU TARIC and US HTSUS codes on the paperwork.

Note that duty is payable on receivers, but not on transceivers 
(I've been caught). If you're buying a receiver try to get the 
sender to describe it as transmitting/receiving equipment or 
similar and use an appropriate code.

Steve

> Sorry for the slightly off topic post, but I was wondering if anyone
> on here has had any experience in buying radio kit from the US? I have
> read that if you use the correct commodity code that amateur radio kit
> can be imported without being subject to import duty (although VAT
> does have to be paid). I have someone in the US who is willing to
> puchase and post me the kit but I don't know if the "theory" will hold
> up in practice?
> 
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Pete, G4CLA.