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Tool Talk => General Tool Discussion => Topic started by: greenbear on October 01, 2018, 09:34:14 AM

Title: Help with export from UK to US and import for US to UK
Post by: greenbear on October 01, 2018, 09:34:14 AM
Hi fellow MT'ers I really need a bit of help with import/export matters.

I am looking to send a multi from the UK to the US - am I right in assuming I just take it to the Post Office and send it fully tracked without any customs issues?

And now the tricky one - if a multi is sent from the US to the UK (privately) how does this work. Obviously it gets sent from the US, but when it arrives in the UK do they open it and then reject it as it has a blade?  Is there any import duty or are there handling fees?  I am happy to pay the fees if there are any, but knowing how sniffy Royal Mail are over anything that could be misconstrued as a "weapon" I would hate for it to be impounded etc.

Sorry, I know it's a naive question but I've not done this before and would be grateful for any advice - thanks  :salute:
Title: Re: Help with export from UK to US and import for US to UK
Post by: hiraethus on October 01, 2018, 09:41:36 AM
Should be no problem in either direction.

Take your package to the PO, tell 'em where you want it to go, pick the service you want (tracking, insurance etc.) and fill out the customs declaration form to go on the parcel.

Coming the other way, if it's not a flick/gravity/flipper/AO knife you should be fine.  Owning and importing locking blades is not a legal issue in the UK.  There may be customs and handling charges to pay, so be prepared for those.  It will be your responsibility if the item gets confiscated though, not the seller's.
Title: Re: Help with export from UK to US and import for US to UK
Post by: Gareth on October 01, 2018, 10:26:53 AM
 :iagree:

While I've heard of some OHO knives being stopped coming into the UK, that's being done on the argument that they can be flicked open with a snap of the wrist and so count as gravity knives.  I've yet to see a MT that could be guilty of this.
Title: Re: Help with export from UK to US and import for US to UK
Post by: greenbear on October 01, 2018, 10:35:06 AM
Should be no problem in either direction.

Take your package to the PO, tell 'em where you want it to go, pick the service you want (tracking, insurance etc.) and fill out the customs declaration form to go on the parcel.

Coming the other way, if it's not a flick/gravity/flipper/AO knife you should be fine.  Owning and importing locking blades is not a legal issue in the UK.  There may be customs and handling charges to pay, so be prepared for those.  It will be your responsibility if the item gets confiscated though, not the seller's.

Thank you Hiraethus - that's put my mind at rest, I genuinely appreciate it  :salute:
Title: Re: Help with export from UK to US and import for US to UK
Post by: greenbear on October 01, 2018, 10:35:43 AM
:iagree:

While I've heard of some OHO knives being stopped coming into the UK, that's being done on the argument that they can be flicked open with a snap of the wrist and so count as gravity knives.  I've yet to see a MT that could be guilty of this.

Hi Gareth - thank you -  :salute:
Title: Re: Help with export from UK to US and import for US to UK
Post by: Gareth on October 01, 2018, 10:35:57 AM
Oh and as to what Royal Mail will and won't handle, it's actually a much shorter list than you might think and they are most certainly allowed/obliged to take sharp objects such as knives and whatnot.

https://www.royalmail.com/business/system/files/Royal-Mail-Prohibitions-and-restrictions-UK-and-international-mail-contract-and-account-customers-June-2015.pdf
Title: Re: Help with export from UK to US and import for US to UK
Post by: AimlessWanderer on October 01, 2018, 12:30:22 PM
Oh and as to what Royal Mail will and won't handle, it's actually a much shorter list than you might think and they are most certainly allowed/obliged to take sharp objects such as knives and whatnot.

https://www.royalmail.com/business/system/files/Royal-Mail-Prohibitions-and-restrictions-UK-and-international-mail-contract-and-account-customers-June-2015.pdf

... but they don't always stick to their own rules, even if you phone up the main customer service centre and vent your spleen at them... which I might have done once or twice  :whistle:

I would suggest keeping to the printed rules, and when they ask you what's inside at the counter, they're vintage tools, or speSmurfpillst tools, or mechanics tools (if you just say tools they ask what type, but a vague descriptor added seems to keep 'em happy), but nothing that would imply there might be anything sharp on them. If you tell them what it really is, they might say they can't accept it, even when they can. The regional managers are making the counter staff paranoid about accepting stuff they'll get in trouble for, and they can be overly cautious which makes life frustrating for us paying customers.

So, stick to the rules, and tell the truth.... but only tell as much as you have to  ;)
Title: Re: Help with export from UK to US and import for US to UK
Post by: hiraethus on October 01, 2018, 01:07:12 PM
I always describe them as hand tools.
Title: Re: Help with export from UK to US and import for US to UK
Post by: magentus on October 01, 2018, 01:08:29 PM
I say Camping Tools
Title: Re: Help with export from UK to US and import for US to UK
Post by: Smashie on October 01, 2018, 01:12:52 PM
Engineering product sample also works  :tu:
Title: Re: Help with export from UK to US and import for US to UK
Post by: Kev D on October 01, 2018, 01:54:53 PM
If it's from a private seller you will get stung with the international package handling fee of £8 +vat for bringing into the country, and if it from the US you'll also get import duty as well, all based on the item value on the package.  So ask the sender to put the value under the import duty threshold to lessen the sting at this end. It'll also add at least another week onto delivery time as they seem to sit of the package for a week before you get the card through the door telling you there are fees to pay.

If it's bought from a company you may or may not get hit with the above depending on if they accounted for it all. I've had it happen both ways so it's something to look out for if buying from the US.  It's the reason I stopped. If it's coming from Canada you only get the package handling fee +vat, but not all of the time either, the post office seem to be a bit hit and miss on that one.
Title: Re: Help with export from UK to US and import for US to UK
Post by: greenbear on October 01, 2018, 02:38:02 PM
I was going to say it is a fishing tool, hopefully that will work
Title: Re: Help with export from UK to US and import for US to UK
Post by: gregozedobe on October 01, 2018, 02:57:47 PM
I say Camping Tools

That's my preferred term as well.  It seems to set off less alarm bells than some of the other possibilities.
Title: Re: Help with export from UK to US and import for US to UK
Post by: Aloha on October 01, 2018, 04:25:27 PM
Fishing, camping, bike, hobby, craft, etc all seem to have no problem getting into the UK. 
Title: Re: Help with export from UK to US and import for US to UK
Post by: greenbear on October 01, 2018, 04:47:03 PM
OK folks we have an update on this issue. I have been to the Post Office and asked the nice lady in there about it.  She gave me two blank labels as samples on is a tracking label, the other is a customs declaration that goes on the back of the parcel. and it is as simple as that.

Coming into the UK is as described by the very helpful posters in the thread - thank you to all of you.

It looks like I might have an international trade taking place  :climber:

Title: Re: Help with export from UK to US and import for US to UK
Post by: Aloha on October 01, 2018, 05:50:14 PM
Congrats.  When we open up our trade and sell parameters lots of wonderful deal are to be had.  I was a bit nervous and I've had my share of scary moments but all has worked out on both ends thankfully. 

We have some super members and some tools that reside on opposite sides of the pond.  No reason we shouldn't reach across and enjoy. 
Title: Re: Help with export from UK to US and import for US to UK
Post by: AimlessWanderer on October 01, 2018, 06:49:55 PM
Congrats.  When we open up our trade and sell parameters lots of wonderful deal are to be had.  I was a bit nervous and I've had my share of scary moments but all has worked out on both ends thankfully. 

We have some super members and some tools that reside on opposite sides of the pond.  No reason we shouldn't reach across and enjoy.

Well said!  :cheers: