Do we need an agent in UK? Forums

pueblopedro

Whilst visting our children in the USA for six months we decided to buy an RV there, use it to see some of America, and export it to the UK when we returned.

Obviously we shopped around for a suitable shipping company, and, eventually settled on one recommended by a dealer.

This has now gone pear shaped.

The company concerned gave us what we thought was a reasonable estimate (just under $6000), and assured us that the service (Galveston, TX to Southampton) was very good and efficient.

Driving to Galveston from LA to deliver the vehicle, we got an urgent message to ring the shipper, (this was 1250 miles into the 1500 mile journey).

We had been bumped from the sailing due in 2 or 3 days.

To cut a long story short, we left the RV in storage at $50 a week (no more than 4 weeks according to our shipping agent), and caught our pre-booked flight back to the UK.

That was the last week in April. We were bumped off the next three sailings, again according to our agent.

The unit finally did sail on the 2nd of July and is due in Southampton this Thursday, (allegedly).

This morning I discovered that the shipper has nominated me as the the receiving agent, rather than his own local contact.

His bill is already up $$1600 to $7500 which unless I pay he will not release the necessary papers, so I am loathe to shell out even more to this modern day "Billy the Kid".

Has anyone done this before - is it possible to collect and clear customs personally? - or do I need to bite the bullet and appoint him (or A.N. Other to sort this out?)

Any help would be gratefully received.

pueblopedro

It appears that I am getting close to answering my own question.

After much ringing around and being assured that the import has to be handled by an agent, I finally managed to find out the actual shipping line handling agent's number.

I rang them, essentially to find out which cargo agent the RV was shipping to, and it's ETA, (even though I had been forewarned by one agent I spoke to that the info. would not be forthcoming!).

In the event, they were very helpful, and not only gave me the details I needed, but suggested that since it was classed as a 'private shipment', I could probably handle it myself, provided I was prepared to do all the necessary paperwork for, and deal with HM Customs & Excise.

What was vital, and my problem since I am in Spain just now, was they needed ORIGINAL paperwork (Bill of Lading, Cert of Title, etc., which could have been tricky getting hold of in time), to allow release of the shipment for Customs clearance, and my eventual possession.

In fact, I probably could have got the loony shipper in the USA to fedex the docs to them, which I could have then collected and used to clear customs. Crying or Very sad

Too - late, I have already employed a guy for £200 to sort it.

For the record :

You have 10 days grace to collect / clear your shipment.
You need ALL paperwork Originals (copies are simply not acceptable)
You MUST have a UK address to register it to.
You need a bank draft/ transfer to pay the Customs and excise/VAT bill
You will have around £70 to pay for local charges PLUS.

YOU WILL HAVE A BILL TO PAY BY BANK DRAFT/TRANSFER FOR:
10% of the Bill of sale* value + shipping and insurance costs in Duty.
17.5% of the total including the above 10% in VAT.
You will then (and only then), get a gate pass to drive your American RV out of the docks.

PROVIDED:

It is is older than 3 years, and
You have scheduled an MOT test and are driving it to the station, OR
to a specific address for any required DoT conversions , prior to MOT,and
You have at least 3rd party Insurance.

If it is less than three years old - it will need an SVA which means "Single Vehicle Approval", and costs upto £200 + the cost of the same conversions as required for an MOT.

Finally, you can now visit your local DVLA with proof of having paid ALL the above, PLUS the original Title, Bill of Sale, valid Insurance cert., (or cover note), and current MOT, PLUS £38 registartion fee and Excise or Road fund duty payable (same as a private car).

They will provide you with number plate details for the year it was manufactured, and a temporary V5 type document, which as well as two utility bills & your photocard licence from the same addrees will allow you get 2 number plates made to affix to your toy, plus a tax disc for the period of 6 or 12 months (whichever you could afford).

I believe that all above is approximately true of importing from the EC, except you don't pay duty or vat, provided you have proof that, if applicable, this has been paid in a member state. You must have a certificate of conformity or"type approval", (in English preferably), for the EU from the manufacturer, (though it would be as well to check on exactly what you need).

Phew!

Then you can load it up with spouse, kids water, copious quantities of fuel, LPG (for which you will need an ACME-Bayonet adapter, plus others if you cross the channel), camping equipment et al. and a wedge of cash or plastic to keep replenishing the above, and drive off into the blue yonder, though whether the blue refers to sky or flood water will depend on your desired direction.

PS As well as US State Certificate of Title, "Originals" inludes at least:

Bill of Lading, Shipping, Storage, Insurance bills for the voyage, which all atract duty and VAT.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE THESE - HM C&E will estimate values, and we all know what means!

Hopefully the first night spent in your dream apartment on wheels will make it all worthwhile and the above will fade into an alcholic induced hazy dream Laughing