Customs Duty

[AMGeed]

I'm thinking of getting a carbon fibre boot spoiler sent over from the US. Been quoted $220 US shipped (£180 approx) but I'm wondering how much UK customs are likely to hit me with on top.

Any ideas?

http://www.jbspeed.com/mercedes-ben...ler-for-w212-e63-free-shipping-super-quality/

 

[LostKiwi]

It'll be whatever the current duty schedule is plus 20% VAT.
Of course you could be lucky.

 

[AMGeed]

Checking the Gov website it appears a spoiler qualifies for a 3.5% duty plus VAT on the total price including duty and shipping.

So around an extra £40.
I can live with that.

 

[Gazwould]

Take the tape off and use black Tiger Seal , but be careful !

3M only suitable for number plates .

 

[Chrishazle]

I've been wondering the same about a pair of made to measure SLK holdalls, cost £172.70 including P&P
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

What sort of import duty would these puppies draw (before the thieves add 20% VAT and the shipper's customs clearance charge??)

 

[SmartAmg]

Take the tape off and use black Tiger Seal , but be careful !

3M only suitable for number plates .

If you use 3M VHB tape (19mm) and make sure you clean the paint work properly,
believe me it ain't coming off!

 

[SmartAmg]

I'm thinking of getting a carbon fibre boot spoiler sent over from the US. Been quoted $220 US shipped (£180 approx) but I'm wondering how much UK customs are likely to hit me with on top.

Any ideas?

http://www.jbspeed.com/mercedes-ben...ler-for-w212-e63-free-shipping-super-quality/

Bl00dy el, a rear spoiler sacrilege! How dare you!
Seriously though that will look great! and on a Black car
very subtle.

 

[rorywquin]

I'm thinking of getting a carbon fibre boot spoiler sent over from the US. Been quoted $220 US shipped (£180 approx) but I'm wondering how much UK customs are likely to hit me with on top.

Any ideas?

http://www.jbspeed.com/mercedes-ben...ler-for-w212-e63-free-shipping-super-quality/

Be careful, sometimes the shipping agents hit you with a "handling fee" for getting it through customs......

I'd also be cautious about the quality - my standard (not carbon fiber) painted spoiler from MB Germany "shop soiled / used" outlet and on a discount cost me Euro 245 shipped. It is quite a solid bit of kit.

 

[rorywquin]

Take the tape off and use black Tiger Seal , but be careful !

3M only suitable for number plates .

That is not true.

3M VHB DS tape is the industry standard and is widely used in the motor car industry.

The spoiler I received from MB has tape for mounting it. I mounted it with the tape and it is going nowhere. Like using any adhesive product, surface preparation is important and so is applying enough pressure to fully activate the adhesive (on 3m DS tapes) and then 78 hours to fully bond.

However there is no guarantee that what AMGeed is buying has a quality DS tape.

 

[Gazwould]

Only a few days ago a chap I know put a carbon boot spoiler on his E60 , it was 3M VHB , it had stuck down OK but not good in other places , plus you could see the tape edge .

That's when I suggested the Tiger Seal PU , stuff that can stay on your fingers for a week is the ultimate , and like the instructions say removal method will be mechanical.

 

[rorywquin]

Only a few days ago a chap I know put a carbon boot spoiler on his E60 , it was 3M VHB , it had stuck down OK but not good in other places , plus you could see the tape edge .

That's when I suggested the Tiger Seal PU , stuff that can stay on your fingers for a week is the ultimate , and like the instructions say removal method will be mechanical.

If you buy a MB, spoilers, badges etc will be mounted with a DS tape, not Tiger Seal.

 

[SmartAmg]

Only a few days ago a chap I know put a carbon boot spoiler on his E60 , it was 3M VHB , it had stuck down OK but not good in other places , plus you could see the tape edge .

That's when I suggested the Tiger Seal PU , stuff that can stay on your fingers for a week is the ultimate , and like the instructions say removal method will be mechanical.

He didn't prepare it properly, then Gaz, as for the tape edge, again if done right you can't see it.

 

[Gazwould]

He must of done something wrong which surprises me as he's meticulous .

Anyway he's in love with his 530d .

 

[SmartAmg]

However there is no guarantee that what AMGeed is buying has a quality DS tape.

Agreed, ditch the tape it comes with and get some 3M
VHB tape.

 

[LostKiwi]

Tiger seal is good stuff but a bitch to remove any excess. Used it to bond 1/8" aluminium plate to the steel door frames in an FC101 after the original skins were damaged by someone using a sand blaster on them.

 

[rorywquin]

Tiger seal is good stuff but a bitch to remove any excess. Used it to bond 1/8" aluminium plate to the steel door frames in an FC101 after the original skins were damaged by someone using a sand blaster on them.

No doubt it is a good product.

MB supplied a tube of super sticky black stuff with the chrome fins for my SLK, it also came with a little prep kit (sandpaper & alcohol wipes). Was able to clean up excess while it was still uncured.

MB spoiler came with VHB tape - so I'm thinking right product for each job. The spoiler has a tiny little lip running around the outer edge which helps conceal the tape.

@AMGeed

My spoiler had a tape (don't know if it was 3M but being from MB, I was happy with the quality and confident that the spoiler would not fall off). However it was also fitted with about 6 little pull tabs stuck to the tape liner.

So - measured up & positioned the spoiler. While my sous chef (wife) held it in place, I pulled on a pull tab which pulled the tape liner away. Was able to very easily position and secure the spoiler with zero mess or cleanup.

 

[AMGeed]

Well, some progress. Although I ordered from an American company, they are being rather disingenious as the actual part is being shipped from Taiwan . On the plus side, they are on the ball and I received an email this morning from DHL with a bill for import duties that has to be paid before shipping.
Now whether the duty rates from Taiwan are less, or the company have undervalued the true cost I don't know, but the bill for import duties/taxes comes to £17. 80 and the part has already been shipped. It's due to be delivered by end of day 28th April.

So, I hope the fitment will be OK (the main reason I avoided China/Far East and went with a US company) and there are no more fees to pay. Lets see how this pans out. Copy of invoice from DHL below.

Thanks for the comments so far and I have noted what has been said regarding the 3M tape.

 

[rorywquin]

Well, some progress. Although I ordered from an American company, they are being rather disingenious as the actual part is being shipped from Taiwan . On the plus side, they are on the ball and I received an email this morning from DHL with a bill for import duties that has to be paid before shipping.
Now whether the duty rates from Taiwan are less, or the company have undervalued the true cost I don't know, but the bill for import duties/taxes comes to £17. 80 and the part has already been shipped. It's due to be delivered by end of day 28th April.

So, I hope the fitment will be OK (the main reason I avoided China/Far East and went with a US company) and there are no more fees to pay. Lets see how this pans out. Copy of invoice from DHL below.

Thanks for the comments so far and I have noted what has been said regarding the 3M tape.

View attachment 57533

Fingers crossed. Will probably work out ok.

 

[AMGeed]

It's arrived!
Ordered 10 30pm Tuesday evening, email from DHL following morning, paid £17 80 tax and duty.
Yesterday, advised parcel was in Hong Kong awaiting shipment.
Today 11 45 am, DHL delivered the spoiler. I am very impressed with the whole transaction. from start to finish.

As for the spoiler, its very nice. Even weave and fits the car very nicely. Just waiting for Amazon to deliver the 19mm wide VHB tape and it will be secured. This was supplied with 10mm wide tape that I've been advised is not sufficient.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Beautiful Roger
I’m suspecting it came from the same Taiwanese vendor I used ‘OEM thing’, good quality and fit