Conservatory Pr0n.

I knew I shouldn't have dabbed in time trials - the expense! ;-) This thing
just arrived from the USA this morning. Just to show how my earlier distrust
of HM Customs and Excise was justified, I imported an Italian road bike
earlier this year from the USA which I'd bought on e-bay for 700 quid. I was
stung for 230 UKP in duty and tax.

I shuddered at what this would cost me in tax. It's an 06 brand new model
which was 5300 USD list price, which I got for 1700 quid on e-bay. Customs
didn't even bother to look beneath all the wrapping and slapped a "mere" 210
pounds on it which was less than I paid on the 700 quid bike! Just shows how
they simply pluck these figures out of thin air. Still, can't complain -
just need to step up the training for next season so I don't look even more
of a berk than usual.

http://www.simonmason.karoo.net/page513.htm

--
Simon Mason
http://www.simonmason.karoo.net

"Simon Mason" wrote in message
...

Nice bike. But...

Just to show how my earlier distrust of HM Customs and Excise was
justified, I imported an Italian road bike earlier this year from the USA
which I'd bought on e-bay for 700 quid. I was stung for 230 UKP in duty
and tax.

Er - what do you mean, distrust of HMCE? They clearly say what they charge
for imports from the US. Looks like you actually got let off slightly
lightly for the first bike, and incredibly lightly for the second.

So, rather than distrusting them, I'd be sitting there being pleasantly
surprised.

FWIW on a 1700 quid bike, duty is about 255 quid, and vat is about 342 quid.
(about 15% duty for complete bikes, then 17.5% VAT on top of both).

cheers,
clive

"Simon Mason" writes:

I knew I shouldn't have dabbed in time trials - the expense! ;-)
This thing just arrived from the USA this morning.

That's gorgeous. I hate you!

Chris
--
Chris Eilbeck

Simon Mason wrote:

http://www.simonmason.karoo.net/page513.htm

Bit early in the evening for that sort of thing, innit? It's gotta be be
the most Pr0n0graphic Pr0n ever posted to this group!

~PB

"Simon Mason" wrote in message
...

http://www.simonmason.karoo.net/page513.htm



OOOOOH!!! Definite prOn!!! You dirty boy, you! ;-)

"Clive George" wrote in message
...
"Simon Mason" wrote in message
...


Er - what do you mean, distrust of HMCE? They clearly say what they charge
for imports from the US. Looks like you actually got let off slightly
lightly for the first bike, and incredibly lightly for the second.

That's the point - they make the sums up. Not complaining, as you say, I got
off lightly, but when you are charged these "arbitrary" amounts, it doesn't
fill you with much trust of their charging system.

BTW, I was very lucky to come into some money via a great uncle who I never
knew existed, so I got this and a new radio out of a proportion of it. No
mid life crisis new cars or motor bikes will be involved :-)

--
Simon Mason
http://www.simonmason.karoo.net

"Simon Mason" wrote in message
...

Er - what do you mean, distrust of HMCE? They clearly say what they
charge for imports from the US. Looks like you actually got let off
slightly lightly for the first bike, and incredibly lightly for the
second.

That's the point - they make the sums up. Not complaining, as you say, I
got off lightly, but when you are charged these "arbitrary" amounts, it
doesn't fill you with much trust of their charging system.

So long as it comes in under, where's the problem?

FWIW my last US import came in at the correct duty. That's because the
exporter filled in the correct figures on the box, rather than trying to
underdeclare it - something which a lot of people will do. (did your guy?)

cheers,
clive

Simon Mason wrote:


http://www.simonmason.karoo.net/page513.htm

Funny looking kitchen isn't it?
John Kane, Kingston ON Canada

"Clive George" wrote in message
...


FWIW my last US import came in at the correct duty. That's because the
exporter filled in the correct figures on the box, rather than trying to
underdeclare it - something which a lot of people will do. (did your guy?)

I couldn't possibly comment - but I *did* tell him that they take a dim view
of people who deliberately put in low valuations to avoid tax and not to get
into trouble on my behalf. Of course, you can't insure it for more than its
value on the box, so if it goes missing you lose out.

--
Simon Mason
http://www.simonmason.karoo.net

On 01/12/2006 17:53, Simon Mason said,

http://www.simonmason.karoo.net/page513.htm

Oi! There's no bell on that shopper :-)

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/