Buying clubs from the USA (R1 Black edition)

[tugglesf239]

Hi all

Basically i want a R1 driver in black and have seen one for approx £200 quid from Golfsmith. I know i could wait until they are released over here, but i would imaging that the price will be more like £350 when they do eventually arrive.

Has anyone any experience of importing a single club in to the UK, from America.

Obviously i will be liable for hefty shipping was curious about import tax's.

Good idea or bad idea?

Thanks

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Not sure you'll be saving that much once taxes are taken into account but I am not an expert in buying in from the US so other wiser sages may say different. When are they due out in the UK? Many online stores usually do mega deals on this sort of thing and so you might find it comes out at the equivalent you would have paid to import it

 

[pbrown7582]

You used to be 50/50 on import duty which is payable on shipping costs as well, these days they are pretty hot on duty so expect to pay around 1/3 of total price in duty and parcel force handling fees!
Have had a few bits imported but since getting caught with some tee shirts I've given up as the uk cost is pretty similar when and things are taken into account.
Wait a month after UK launch and price will drop like most new launches!

 

[duncan mackie]

You used to be 50/50 on import duty which is payable on shipping costs as well, these days they are pretty hot on duty so expect to pay around 1/3 of total price in duty and parcel force handling fees!
Have had a few bits imported but since getting caught with some tee shirts I've given up as the uk cost is pretty similar when and things are taken into account.
Wait a month after UK launch and price will drop like most new launches!

vat's payable on cost + shipping, but import duty isn't.

the equation will be something like -

(cost+shipping) x1.2 (vat) as a baseline - there will be about 3% import duty on sporting goods (but I haven't checked this recently) and there is a risk that you will end up with UPS or another shipper that adds a premium for handling the vat ie add another £10

 

[groundskeeperwilly]

It could be worth it if you escape paying import duty but as brown says it is more and more unlikely that you'll get lucky! Parcel Force etc will also take their wee handling fee and when you add it all up it can add a lot to your outlay. Then if you ever need to sent it back/warranty etc would you need to return to USA or could you go to local Pro? I'm not sure TBH but might be a factor worth thinking about.

 

[davidg2010uk]

If you can get someone to stick it in their golf bag without tags coming back from the US then you'd save a bit. Otherwise I don't think its would be worth it.

 

[Oddsocks]

vat's payable on cost + shipping, but import duty isn't.

the equation will be something like -

(cost+shipping) x1.2 (vat) as a baseline - there will be about 3% import duty on sporting goods (but I haven't checked this recently) and there is a risk that you will end up with UPS or another shipper that adds a premium for handling the vat ie add another £10

Used to import from the us and this is bang on, other than if its sent us mail, parcel force will charge £13 handling

 

[Foxholer]

Best way is definitely to find a mate going there with clubs and bring it back.

If it's used, then no import duty or VAT - as far as I understand.

I've always loaded the £35 to £40 shipping and VAT + 3% import duty + Parcelforce's handling into the cost. Still worthwhile occasionally.