Import/Export - A Different Twist

[Mike Stranks]

Does anyone have practical experience of sending gear from one country to another (not internal EU) for evaluation?

Gear owned by me - not new - potentially going to the States...

Thanks in antipation.

[forumuser698238]

Sounds like you need a carnet

https://www.gov.uk/taking-goods-out-uk-temporarily

The big carriers (UPS/Fed Ex) used to help with the paperwork but thankfully I've not had to go near a carnet for over 15 years, so that's probably all gone with the rest of the customer service

[Hugh Robjohns]

Matt Houghton might have some good advice as he takes care of shipping a lot of review product to and from the US. I believe there are some phrases and values to use in the paperwork to avoid getting customs and VAT charges etc.

H

[Watchmaker]

Probably cheaper and easier to fly a tech to UK...

[Mike Stranks]

Thanks guys...

Looks like we'll have to switch to Plan B (there isn't a Plan B... yet.)

A friend in the States is interested in trying/evaluating some mics for his YouTube channel. They happen to be mics I own. In friendship I was going to offer to send them over for him to try and give his impressions... Perhaps not, unless Matt can come up with a cunning plan to keep the red 'money' lights switched off.

[forumuser698238]

There should not be a monetary issue with the actual movement of goods - after all you're not actually exporting or importing anything per se - it's more akin to taking a spare pair of underpants on holiday with you and promising to bring them back. The cost however is in the preparation of paperwork, the shipping, and the insurance

[MOF]

Sounds like you need a carnet

This sounds the most likely. I remember working throughout Europe many years ago, we (a film crew) had to have a carnet just for Switzerland. Our equipment was checked against the list going in and coming back out.
I wasn’t responsible for the paperwork but I did have to provide a list of my equipment.

[Hugh Robjohns]

There should not be a monetary issue with the actual movement of goods - after all you're not actually exporting or importing anything per se

You might know that... The challenge is persuading the customs officers at both ends ...because to them a mic in a box being shipped between individuals looks a lot like it's being exported and imported... And while ~we~ all know Mike is a good, upstanding citizen who wouldn't dream of defrauding Customs & Excise, ~they~ don't know that and they have to assume everything is dodgy unless proven otherwise!

[Mike Stranks]

There should not be a monetary issue with the actual movement of goods - after all you're not actually exporting or importing anything per se

You might know that... The challenge is persuading the customs officers at both ends ...because to them a mic in a box being shipped between individuals looks a lot like it's being exported and imported... And while ~we~ all know Mike is a good, upstanding citizen who wouldn't dream of defrauding Customs & Excise, ~they~ don't know that and they have to assume everything is dodgy unless proven otherwise!

Precisely!

Neither end of this possible informal arrangement wants to be faced with significant paperwork and/or having my mics impounded until significant sums have changed hands.

It was just a thought, but as I'd suspected, sending four mics to Utah for someone to try is a bit different to sending a couple of mics to High Wycombe with similar intent!

[forumuser698238]

I think I should have qualified my comment with 'long term' - because as pointed out, it depends how grumpy/clued up your border point is on any given day.
In short you'd probably get your mics back eventually...

[Wonks]

Just label them as C1000s with a monetary value well below any customs/import tax threshold. That should make them safe from confiscation, and your Utah friend may even find a note of sympathy attached by Customs.