Import/export duties on item sent for upgrade

[BJG145]

I'm considering sending an instrument to Sweden to get it upgraded by the manufacturer. I was surprised when they suggested that they would need to pay import duties when it arrived, and I'd need to pay import duties again to get it back. Is that right?

[Hugh Robjohns]

It's complicated, but essentially, yes I think they are right. It would be a good idea to find and talk with a 'customs broker' as the rules and loopholes are complicated.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-outwa ... your-goods

[BJG145]

Shucks, thanks Hugh.

[fatbenelton]

Check here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-to-pa ... -or-repair

Not done it myself but looked into it at one point. Caveat emptor etc,..

It seems complicated and aimed at businesses but also works for individuals. You won’t need the EORI number as you are not doing it regularly and can do it via ‘declaration’. Basically, you may have to pay but can claim it back. If a repaired item is greater value then you may pay duty on the extra value added by the repair. Yield is 1;1 as you are sending one item out and receiving one item back.

[BJG145]

They don't make it easy do they. I spent five minutes on that page just trying to see how to make this application or declaration, and couldn't find it. Surprised I couldn't Google an easy how-to either; it sounds like it would be a common kind of thing to do.

[N i g e l]

On Spotify this morning, there was an ad which came up several times from UK Gov saying that the import/export regs are changing on Jan 1st.
I think its related to paperwork rather than operational flowand tariffs