Importing markers from US

[Quayler]

Has anyone had any problems importing markers from US to UK

A mate is about to buy a marker from acompany in US but I have reservations about it getting through customs etc!

Its probably coming UPS or something

Anyone know any better?


ta

 

[Acidd_UK]

I've bought two markers from america from people via ebay and pbnation forums. Never had any problems, always marked them as sporting goods - paintball. I don't know how often customs might randomly open packeges for inspection etc though, but I don't think its as much of a problem as some people would make out (cough planet, smaprtparts, all pb distributors in the uk cough)

Obviously now about 200 ppl will reply attacking me, but there you go

Tom

 

[nickp]

Depends if you are buying it new, if you are then you may get hit with import duty 17.5 I think, I know I did when I got my Halo, Not had any experience with markers though...

 

[Quayler]

cheers folks

Ill pass on the info

 

[KillerOnion]

I have heard that you can get around the customs duties by stating a lower value and not marking it as paintball or sporting goods, but as "anodized aluminum parts" or "pneumatic equipment" or, my personal favorite which has been used effectively before "extruded aluminum stock" which are indeed true labels but not something that screams "Hey I paid $800 for this. HEY TAX THIS IT'S WORTH A LOT OF MONEY." Those s. Honestly, your customs people need to be smacked upside the head with an eight pound eggplant.

 

[PaintballBudgie]

if you are unlucky enough to get checked by customs you can expect 17.5% VAT and 2% import duty. Oh and the courier will probably add an extra handling fee if it causes them any problems.

 

[Cerberus]

you won't get away from the vat what ever you do.
For importing i reccomend www.canadianpaintball.com
the pound is strong against the C$ so the prices are excellent.
plus they send by DHL which cost me £20 as opposed to UPS wanting £70-£100, it will take a little longer but to hell with that.

Plus of course most of the us commpanies cream some of the top so you'll end up paying more, cough xtremepaintball.com cough.

It cost me a total of £300 for a 2002 cocker, with xbord rev, bottom line, dropforward, 2*elbows and on off valve with antisyphon (i got the bottle over here). Thats with postage and VAT, plus they marked the value at £150 for customs

going to get a BL Ripper from them once the funds have built up.

definatly going to try those label ideas, thanks KO.

 

[Beaker]

I got a Intimidator shipped over here from the US about 6 weeks ago.

If the package has no value on it and contains no receipt /invoice then Customs CANNOT charge you VAT.

First shipment was marked "item for repair, old parts included" second shipment was marked sponsorship.

I got both within 2 days of ordering.

 

[Tony]

Originally posted by KillerOnion
I have heard that you can get around the customs duties by stating a lower value and not marking it as paintball or sporting goods, but as "anodized aluminum parts" or "pneumatic equipment" or, my personal favorite which has been used effectively before "extruded aluminum stock" which are indeed true labels but not something that screams "Hey I paid $800 for this. HEY TAX THIS IT'S WORTH A LOT OF MONEY." Those s. Honestly, your customs people need to be smacked upside the head with an eight pound eggplant.

Extruded aluminium stock..... I don't suppose it was Pro Paintball was it?!?!?!?



I think the thing to do is to get the retailer to put a lower cost on the package, or try to get them to mark it as a gift, though the heartless cruel, evil bast*rds of her majesty's customs and excise dept don't seem to really care about that.....

 

[elrikos]

whats the score with buying second hand kit from the states and getting it shipped here? i'm talkin about buying something on ebay for example. do you still pay vat?
also all these ideas sound great but what heppens if your package gets "lost" on it's way over? do you end up paying money and getting no marker?
cheers guys
rich