Question on importing guns

[stephen noel]

I keep checking prices of markers in America and find that they are a lot cheaper. Can anybody give me some pro's and con's about getting them sent over here e.g. how much tax needs to be paid and is it correct if someone sends it as a gift there is no need to pay tax? Please help I am getting conflicting info from friends. If anyone has already done it, can you recommed anyone.

 

[jamphi24]

From past experience don't do it.
1) Parcelforce and customs lost my package from a well known online store
2)As above Took 4 months to get money back
3)International Stores don't like taking credit cards from u do to fraud.
3)One gun I ordered never worked when i got it here (shocker). Guy wouldn't give cash back couldn't do anything.
4)Ordered new dye cocker from ebay never arrived. Still waiting for my money back and i ordered it at the beginning of the year.
5)If there's a problem you may have to send it back to the states due to the warrenty.
6)Int Shipping expensive
7)You have to pay 22.5% tax when it arrives in the country.
8)It takes ages at customs (and they lose it as above)
9)The above is all experience from the last 2 years and is all true.

You add all that up and you see they don't really rip you off that much here.

James

 

[stephen noel]

you may of just put me off sending for it. but what about some one collecting it and bringing it back with them. will they still have to pay the 22.5% tax even if the gun is second hand . [fired once and looking dirty] got friend going out at the end of the year.

 

[jamphi24]

I don't see a problem with bringing it back. Only thing is even if it has been fired a couple of times the point is you bought it there and would likely have to pay tax on it unless you can convince them that you brought it to the states on the first place. I am sure u could do that fairly easily though (ie dump the box few fake emails etc)

 

[jeevusmaximus]

If you brought it back say in luggage, would you have to declare it to customs and if so, what would happen? Would they make you pay the tax or confiscate it or what?
Also, what would happen if you dont declare it?

 

[Roland]

Legally you are only allowed to bring £140.00 of goods into the country. This includes all pressies, souviners (spell check don't work).

I too have had problems importing. First marker got here OK but worked out quite expensive after tax, shipping etc. The second marker has never arrived and it is very difficult to get your money back.

Best bet is to go to your local shop, at least you can get after sales service. If they have not got what you want i,m sure they will get it

 

[Munkeh]

There are some weird rules regarding custom and excise though... i seem to remember if you get them to package the parts seperately you dont have to pay any C&E duty on parts under £100! Also if they are pressents under i think £40 or errrm... Warranty parts i think... but dont quote me on any of this! I got stung by C&E for importing my guitar cost me £100 just on duty

 

[Davo]

Importing

Yeah, what the other guys say is true, I've had 4 markers from the States (3 2nd hand and 1 new) all arrived safe and sound and in good working order but its the shipping and Import tax that really cripple ya!

Expect to pay at least $50 for shipping, thats if you want to receive your goods within 5-7 days and basically add around 20% for import tax/vat.

I bought a pair of football cleats for paintball for $29.95, they charged $25 for shipping and because the retard at the store put the value as being $100 i got hammered for £17 tax and then Parcelforce charged me extra £13 for their trouble of having to pass the goods through customs, I did get some tax back after I sent the invoice to customs and exise to prove the goods were not really worth $100 but it was still a pain in the ass.

I think that is the last time I will order from the states or overseas, most of the shops over here carry a great stock now and I know it tempting when you see all these great offers in the US, but as the farmers say............ best buy British or something like that.

Bringing stuff back I assume would be the best way to do it, just tell customs if they quibble that you have been playing in a tourney over there and the stuff has been yours for ages, unless you were bringing back 3-4 markers I'm sure they'd have no real beef.

 

[Shuck]

One trick I have heard that may work is to get your mate to take to take the cheapest marker he can find out with him. Then, sell it in America and bring your spangly new one back, claiming it was the one he took out. The customs should not check the make and won't realise that its a different gun.

Not sure if it works but good luck. I ordered my Shocker from Smart Parts in America before Smart Parts Europe opened here, and I got crippled for tax and import duty. Worked out very expensive indeed, but the gun has been working fine for years. No real problem with it.

 

[Tony]

If you go over to the states, take a POS marker with you worth about £10. Declare it to customs and tell them you're gonna be playing a few games over there, and ask them for paperwork to make sure you don't get stopped on the way back.

Once there, buy your new marker, and chuck the other on away!!!

That might work!!!

Oops, beaten to it by Shuck...........