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[Eqcons]

Wouldn't the duty be roughly the same or less than a airline ticket?  Unless you are using miles or need them, seems post would be a good idea.

Airline ticket or not, the duty and VAT (sales tax, ours is national) are still supposed to be paid, so the comparison has to be the cost of mailing the stuff from the US versus the plane ticket, RJ.

Jim

[bisounours]

Good afternoon Nige,

In my case when I buy parts in States, I ask the shipping with USPS.
When the total amount of the parcel is less than 500/600, the custom declaration is not made when it arrive in FRANCE. (I wrote not the currency because they look only the numbers and not the currency)
It's not possible with UPS or DHL.
If the total amount is more this limit, I ask to receive my order in two parcels.

It means if I buy a part for 100$ plus shipping cost and the european price in euros will be 200 euros, I'm always winner.
I agree with Jim, the shipping cost is expensive but it's always interesting for me.

Jacques

[Eqcons]

The one slight worry that I have is that I have been told that the USA Power Commander III is slightly different to the one we get over here and that any warranty will be voided if I use an imported one.

Can't see how it would be different, Nige.  I used one on my 06 bike that I got from the US.  In fact it's sitting here ready to go on ebay! :-)   It was identical, and DynoJet UK happily put the RevXtend feature on it for me when it was new.  They are really nice folks, and I can't see them arguing about warranty, but if they did - well post it back to the US!

Jim

PS:  Your mates are still describing some concoction called Scotch "whiskey"!  

[RJ749]

Airline ticket or not, the duty and VAT (sales tax, ours is national) are still supposed to be paid, so the comparison has to be the cost of mailing the stuff from the US versus the plane ticket, RJ.

Jim

Oh yes, the freight.  One small detail I neglected to figure in.

[bisounours]

Other way, if you pay the taxes :

You ask to a friend in States to buy your parts.
You ask him to unpack these and send as used parts for a value of half price.
Of course, no bills in the parcel. All documents that you need for mounting : notices and so on in other letter by post mail.

Jacques

[Eqcons]

Other way, if you pay the taxes :

You ask to a friend in States to buy your parts.
You ask him to unpack these and send as used parts for a value of half price.
Of course, no bills in the parcel. All documents that you need for mounting : notices and so on in other letter by post mail.

Jacques

Not that I'd do that.  Oh, no, not me.    It's just by coincidence that my Thundermax has arrived at my friend's in Chicago today.  He'll be putting the full value on the customs slip, of course. Honestly. No, really!

[BalDeagle]

Can't see how it would be different, Nige.  I used one on my 06 bike that I got from the US.  In fact it's sitting here ready to go on ebay! :-)   It was identical, and DynoJet UK happily put the RevXtend feature on it for me when it was new.  They are really nice folks, and I can't see them arguing about warranty, but if they did - well post it back to the US!

Jim

PS:  Your mates are still describing some concoction called Scotch "whiskey"!  

That sounds fair enough to me Jim - I thought the guy I spoke too was probably just putting a bit of a sales pitch together so he could have the business. He quoted me £275.00 shipped as against $370.00 in the USA plus shipping, tax and VAT whiuch I guess would add about another $130.00, unless I can get away with Jacques suggestion of USPS. So possiblt not a huge saving to be made.

I've told them about the "Whiskey" but I don't think their web designer has remembered. Sacriledge Jim, that's what it is.



Nige

[BalDeagle]

Other way, if you pay the taxes :

You ask to a friend in States to buy your parts.
You ask him to unpack these and send as used parts for a value of half price.
Of course, no bills in the parcel. All documents that you need for mounting : notices and so on in other letter by post mail.

Jacques

Hey Jacques - I didn't realise just how devious you French were 

Not that I could possibly condone anything that you are suggesting of course.



Nige

[Eqcons]

That sounds fair enough to me Jim - I thought the guy I spoke too was probably just putting a bit of a sales pitch together so he could have the business. He quoted me £275.00 shipped as against $370.00 in the USA plus shipping, tax and VAT whiuch I guess would add about another $130.00, unless I can get away with Jacques suggestion of USPS. So possiblt not a huge saving to be made.

I've told them about the "Whiskey" but I don't think their web designer has remembered. Sacriledge Jim, that's what it is.



Nige

There's ALWAYS a big saving to be made Nige, - don't fall for the sales pitch!

I think they've changed the PC3 for the 07 models, or I could have sold you the one I have, still boxed as new saving you even more! 

Jim

[bisounours]

I'm only a little frenchy but in Corsica, the people are better  

The last week, it was my dealer asked me the best way from the States.

Jacques

[bisounours]

Not that I'd do that.  Oh, no, not me.    It's just by coincidence that my Thundermax has arrived at my friend's in Chicago today.  He'll be putting the full value on the customs slip, of course. Honestly. No, really!

Perhaps you'll test by USPS 
With a little chance, you winn 
or without chance you pay 

[Eqcons]

Perhaps you'll test by USPS 
With a little chance, you winn 
or without chance you pay 

I had a package delivered by USPS today, in fact, Jacques.   I normally get things sent by Global Priority Mail - it's slightly cheaper than ordinary Airmail, and is supposed to be quicker. But this package (my J&M antennæ, quick release braided fuel line, some ball end allen sockets) was posted on 17th February. 19 days!!  In contrast the same friend posted me a package by ordinary airmail on 24th February, and it arrived on 1st March!!!  GPM used to be 3-5 days, but I think that what's happening now is that because the £ is strong against the $, lots of people are having stuff sent from the US, and UK Customs have realised that there is money to be made, so are causing big backlogs.   Previously, you would only be charged duty and VAT about 1 time in 5, and now it's 9 times in 10....

Incidentally, in the UK (and I expect France too) - anything costing over £18 (around €27) is liable for Duty and VAT, except if it's a gift, when the figure is £36 (around €54).  Fair enough. But what I think is NOT fair, is how they add the postage to the value and charge Duty and VAT on it too!! 

The we have to pay £12.50 (around €19) to the post office as a "clearance fee".  If your shipment comes in two packages, then they charge TWO clearance fees...

Jim

[Twolanerider]

So you're taxed on the postage?  Good grief, just when you think you've heard all the likely revenue schemes you're reminded that there are professionals out there.....

[Eqcons]

So you're taxed on the postage?  Good grief, just when you think you've heard all the likely revenue schemes you're reminded that there are professionals out there.....

Yup!  But if you think about it, it's even worse!  First they add the Duty (Import tax) then they add the VAT (sales Tax) so we are taxed on the tax on the postage too!   

Gas - petrol as we call it - is the same here.  First they add the Duty, then they add the tax, so again, we pay tax on the tax.

Jim

[BalDeagle]

Yup!  But if you think about it, it's even worse!  First they add the Duty (Import tax) then they add the VAT (sales Tax) so we are taxed on the tax on the postage too!   

Gas - petrol as we call it - is the same here.  First they add the Duty, then they add the tax, so again, we pay tax on the tax.

Jim

My God Jim, it's nearly the weekend and you have to remind me of all the money I pay to our wonderful, big hearted government.

Nige