DetectingWales.com

hi , if i import a new golden mask detector from bulgaria what will be the differences to a uk model [ voltage different  ? ] and what about the guarantee etc, what are the pitfalls of importing.

i cant see the voltage being different....they are all battery powered.....a guarantee may be difficult to pursue though...but good luck...byron

Anyone can in theory import a metal detector provided you pay the import taxes !

When contacting overseas manufacturers, you should always ask what their returns policies are ? Whether its suitable for use in uk ??? ::)

The pitfalls of purchasing anything further than an hours drive down the motorway, is
that its bl--dy frustrating if anything does go wrong and you cannot easily confront the seller !

That counts for anything we buy !  ;D

Good luck with it !

I know that tesero in the states come with a lifetime warrenty but in this country it only has a years cover,pay a visit to a few dealers and show them the colour of your money remember in this country CASH IS KING and the average mark up on machines is between 40% and 50% dont be afraid to haggle hope this helps.

I've bought a couple of things from the good old U.S. of A. and just the once I got caught for the import tax. Postman asked me for it when it arrived! You have to be careful about these things.

Hi

If you do buy a Golden Mask 3 or 3+, I would buy from Evergreen Detectors who are the importers. They offer a 5 year guarantee.

I bought a GM3 from another UK supplier and found it had a lower amp battery pack and only one year guarantee. I then part exchanged it for the GM3+ via Evergreen Detectors. I found them to be very friendly and fair with their prices.

I am part exchanging my GM3+ for an XP Deus via Evergreen and they have done me a good deal.

I did look at importing but with insured postage and import tax it worked out about the same plus I wouldn't have the guarantee and ease of getting it fixed etc.

My advice is it isn't worth saving a few quid. Better to get from Evergreen for piece of mind.

........And no, I don't have any connections with them!!!

PM me if you want further details or chat.
Bob

i'd sugest pm'ing ukbrian, i know he has/had a place in Bulgaria and to be honest what he doesnt know about detectors......well forget it. that includes difficulties with importing them

You will have to find an imagrant to translate the instructions for you ;D ;D ;D

BRING IT TO LLANELLI THERES HUNDREDS HERE

if i can recall correctly anything over the value of £18.00 you will have to pay import duty at about 15%.
hope this helps. ;)

it's now up to £100

You need to add 3.5% Import Duty to the cost of the imported item,
Then the delivery costs and then add the VAT on top ..
Quite expensive eh???

not sure where you get £100 from Chef ???

But i have very very recently just bought two tectors from the other side of the globe.
for about £250 the import duty was £45  ;D

Tectorists in general shouldnt be put off from trying other sources to buy new tectors, the mark up on well known brands is day light robbery  ::)

Here you go Outlaw
http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageLibrary_ShowContent&propertyType=document&id=HMCE_PROD1_028770 (http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageLibrary_ShowContent&propertyType=document&id=HMCE_PROD1_028770)

I think your getting your import duty and your VAT mixed up.
I have just found out that Bulgaria is now part of the EU (no one asked me) so there is no duty or vat to pay.

When I bought a garrett a few yrs ago I bought it from Canada as it was a few hundred  pound cheaper, When it rrived customs seized it and i had to pay about £100 to get it out (but i was still £100 better off than uk). Anyway a few months down the line and it started developing problems thats where the fun begins. Had to send it to the UK garrett dealer but they wouldnt touch it ,so it ended up going to Germany where they lost it. Then about 4 months later it turned up on my doorstep. I played hell with garrett and slated them on their forums, in the end i had a phone call from Mary herself and sent it to the UK dealer, it came back good as new .So be warned before you buy from abroad you may save a few quid but you could lose a lot more without that warranty.

Hi Paul

I remember you having problems.

I agree with you that most often the cheapest deal can work out more expensive.

I don't think the savings are there as they used to be. I once imported a new Mercedes
from Holland (from a Saab dealer....but that's another story) and saved £5,500 on the
UK list price. The order took 7 months and I put 25% down as a depsit. Whilst I waited
the pound shot up against the Krona and I saved another £1K (making £5.5K).

For me and the missus to fly and stay in Amsterdam and ferry back from Hook of Holland
it was about £500.

About 2 months later I had a VAT demand for exactly £2K (the £5K saving includes this
VAT demand).

The greedy UK Government wanted their slice of the pie but I still saved a lot. However,
some insurance companies didn't want to know as it was classified as an "import" even
though it was UK spec !!!!!!!!!!!!!   At that time I only had a 1 year guarantee (rules have
changed now) rather than 3 yrs if bought in UK.

The savings aren't there anymore so not many people import themselves as they used too.

I'd import a detector if I was able to purchase myself, and bring it into UK myself, and make
a GOOD saving but I'd factor in the cost of a service/repair.

I'm told you can get a Deus for about £1100 to £1200 in Europe but if you need to pay for
flights/hotel/food etc are you really saving a lot?  And as Paul said, a UK dealer won't be
so helpful should there be a problem. You probably have to spout Euro legislation and
threaten legal action before they'd jump.

At the moment I'd rather pay a UK dealer and have peace of mind with a guarantee.

intresting guys

i/ve been told by Gazza if it/s anywhrere in the EU there is no duty
for more info pm gazza

I don't think this is right. It's free of  VAT up to £105  (went from £18 to £105 on 1/12/08) and then
it's subject to VAT.

If your paying postage and insurance on top as well it may not be as cheap as you think.

i know Gazza's wife export's sewing machines all over the EU so inthink his wife would know abit more try and pm him for some idea of whats what

I import parts for the Chef-Phones from 2 countries in the EU and export the headphones, Phil is right, there is no duty or vat payable on trade within the EU.

Hi Chef

Looking at the Customs & Excise site, I believe you are wrong, especially with items in transit.

With bringing in persnal items, you can bring in a reasonable amount for self use with regard to
cigs, alcohol from within the EU. Non EU is limited to a litre and 400 cigs etc etc.

As I said, you pay VAT on an imported car from Europe and any item over £105.

As you import parts for business you come under different regs and I rather suspect that you
have got away with things so far. I have found (not from personal experience mind) that you
don't mess with Customs & Excise as they have immeasurable powers. They can even estimate
how much they think you owe them, plus interest, plus fine and/or imprisonment.

Where have you read that you don't pay any tax on items imported to the UK either personally
or by postal transit?? ???

(Just to clarify we are talking about VAT and not import tax)