UK Customs charges for light equipment from US

[Tim Hole]

I am looking at buying a selection of lights in the new year from Cool lights. Has anyone in the UK bought lights from the US? Wondering how high the Import VAT and Customs charge is for importing?

 

[thomas-english]

Remember about the 110v / 240v issue.

Also there are kite marks and PAT testing to consider.

I am interested as to how you get along.

 

[Martin Weiss]

If you buy from CoolLights, send them an e-mail as they offer a service where they send you the gear directly from China.

You should just have to pay your standard VAT - which you can claim back as a business.

 

[Dave Blackham]

If you buy from CoolLights, send them an e-mail as they offer a service where they send you the gear directly from China.

You should just have to pay your standard VAT - which you can claim back as a business.

I think its 12% duty plus the VAt, but check the import code as some items vary for import duty. Red One being one of them in our favour as its a digital stills camera not a video camera.

PAT testing can be done via a qualified individual. I beive Richard said the kit met CE approval last time I asked.

 

[Liam Hall]

Remember about the 110v / 240v issue.

Many of their fixtures are designed for universal voltage. I've used mine all over the world.

Can't remember what I paid, it was over three years ago, but Have a look at the Import Duty codes on this site, it should give you an idea of how much you're into.

http://www.ukimports.org/taric.html

 

[Richard Andrewski]

There's no testing necessary for single imports by one end customer. We send things in every week and there's no issue with that.

Practically all of our items are universal voltage so there's no voltage issue. Many items are CE approved so even if they did require certification (which they don't as I said for single imports by one end customer / user) then it wouldn't be an issue.

If I were importing en masse into the UK to sell within the UK then it would require all those certifications.