Buying from the UK
Looking to buy a Prusa I3, which I might review for The Register , but the information on the site is rather vague about the costs and challenges of importing it to the UK, has anyone had experience of this ?
It's a bit late for I3 reviews...
Up to a certain value Prusa are able to charge UK VAT which they pass on to UK HMRC. For higher priced orders they sell ex VAT and the import charge is levied at the port of entry, usually this is paid via a charge collected by the importing agent, normally the courier; but large importers are free to make other arrangements with HMRC.
Cheerio,
RE: Buying from the UK
It works pretty easily. If your order is above £135 then Prusa will not charge the VAT directly. The courier company will collect if from you (normally before delivery) and pay the VAT to HMRC for you. They charge a fee for this which,if I remember was about £14 for FedEx and around 12 for DHL. Due to the CTA (common trade agreement) there is no import duties.
so: item cost + VAT + admin fee.
Once dhl didn’t charge me before delivery, but I received a letter a couple days later requesting payment. Normally tho you should get and email/sms requesting payment before delivery.
RE: Buying from the UK
You'll just get charged VAT at arrival + a small handling fee rather than at checkout if it is over £135. No worries of duty charges.