Timberbits

[Bigblackdog]

Are any brits still using timberbits? I want some vicmarc jaw sets and they are much cheaper than over here. the acrylic blanks seem good value too.

Is one method of shipping preferred to another (global mail or express)? The last time that I used them, it had free shipping on a reasonable order but that seems to have gone.

Nobody seems to mention timberbits these days!

 

[Penpal]

Check the freight situation with Timberbits. My experience sending to the UK as a person to person has resulted in high entry fees in the UK, an honest answer to value is penalised.

Peter.

 

[rayf6604]

As Peter says, last time I ordered from Timberbits the shipping costs were high and I got stung with import duty. To give you an idea, that order was about $460 Aus worth and the duty was about £63. At that time, pre brexit vote, the exchange rate was better at 2 Aus $ to the £. Since brexit it's been a lot worse.


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[Bigblackdog]

that was the part that i feared- it soon takes the shine off the deal

 

[wm460]

Good old Aussie post raised there fees and another one coming soon.

 

[silver]

Are any brits still using timberbits? I want some vicmarc jaw sets and they are much cheaper than over here. the acrylic blanks seem good value too.

Is one method of shipping preferred to another (global mail or express)? The last time that I used them, it had free shipping on a reasonable order but that seems to have gone.

Nobody seems to mention timberbits these days!

Think it's as Ray says, the £ is effecting anything you buy in and there seems to be a big increase in .co.uk suppliers in the UK that match the price although they may not match the quality.

As for tax and import costs you will find help on the .gov website but basics are:

Anything above £15 is liable for VAT
The VAT you pay will be based on the goods price + the postage + the insurance you have had on the goods.

Anything between £135 and £630 you will be liable for import tax. (But remember the VAT will also need to be included as well)

Plus you will be charged a fee from the courier, that's what they charge for collecting the vat and import tax to pay HMRC for you.

The only thing that's difficult to work out is what % import tax is charged, often staionery is charged at a flat rate of 4% but that can be subjective depending on what it's classed as from the supplier.

My advice is to let the supplier know what they need to class it as to ensure you pay the right level of tax.

Handling fees, many companies are not that clear as they often charge a % of the total costs. Royal Mail charge a flat rate of £8 no matter what the value once VAT or import taxes are charged.

If you have any issues or questions then give HMRC helpline a call, I have found them really helpful and have a specific import section that will give you sound advice.

On a point to remember, if a supplier offers to put a false low £ value on the package to help you not to pay any taxes then be warned.. it's not them that are liable, YOU ARE and tax evasion is not taken lightly. No matter how big or small it is.

If you don't want too take any risks then there are some good UK suppliers out there..

 

[Bigblackdog]

so, if possible, use royal mail rather than a courier, and keep it below £135 all in, and it should be a worst case scenario of 20% + £8.

I think that i should be ok for the bits that I want- the jaw sets are about half the price of over here.

 

[Phil Dart]

Chuck jaws for a lathe
HS tariff code is 82 07 80 90 00 (specify the code to Timberbits)
Import duty is 2.7% if the value is above the threshold
Vat and carrier charges will also apply.

Resin blanks
HS tariff code is 39 26 90 97 90 (possibly don't specify the code to Timberbits - they may know of a cheaper one)
Import duty is 6.5%
Vat and charges as above

Thesholds are calculated by total value of the parcel, not the value of each category within it.

 

[Bigblackdog]

Thanks Phil.

 

[Penpal]

I remember a long term member looking for friends to bring stuff in on their travels overseas, another method that saves heaps.Cosy up to an Air Hostess.

Peter.

 

[Bigblackdog]

I can often do this from the USA, but struggle with Australia.

 

[Bigblackdog]

order placed for 2 jaw sets. i threw in a few blanks too, but will be below the import duty threshold. Ironically, the postage defaulted to $18 within Australia, but for international to the UK was $12!!!