Customs/ Import charges from France to England

[nicktait1]

Does anyone know if there would be a customs charge to pay on a second hand, 20 year old bike frameset (private sale)?
Thanks

 

[raidan73]

It'll depend mostly on the value it's declared at by the person shipping it

 

[Imlach]

Yea, get the person to do some mail fraud. The people doing the customs work don't know **** all, just get the sender to declare it as like 20 quid.

I take no responsibility if you get in trouble

 

[Once A Hero]

The sender has really needs to protect themselves against loss though, as declaring something for a lesser value in order to avoid the buyer paying customs charges won't help them if they have to make a claim for a lost item.

Personally just expect there to be customs charge, and if there isn't that's a bonus.

 

[raidan73]

The sender has really needs to protect themselves against loss though, as declaring something for a lesser value in order to avoid the buyer paying customs charges won't help them if they have to make a claim for a lost item.

Personally just expect there to be customs charge, and if there isn't that's a bonus.

Yes, very good point. As a buyer I usually ask the seller to declare low value for customs, on the understanding that I fully accept the risk is mine if there is loss or damage

 

[Imlach]

Good point about insurance, but unfortunately it's often worth the risk anyways.. The prices can be absurd and even worse when you stack on top the handling fees from the postal service (don't know if you have that in the UK)

 

[raidan73]

Good point about insurance, but unfortunately it's often worth the risk anyways.. The prices can be absurd and even worse when you stack on top the handling fees from the postal service (don't know if you have that in the UK)

Yeah we get their 'admin' fees on top

 

[Imlach]

Yeah we get their 'admin' fees on top

It's like the equivalent of 20 GBP on top here just for them to take a peek, makes no sense to be honest.

 

[nicktait1]

It's like the equivalent of 20 GBP on top here just for them to take a peek, makes no sense to be honest.

Thanks all

 

[Imlach]

We have an import fee calculator that's pretty nifty here, don't you have something similar in them good ol' British Isles?