Rant about import duty

I appreciate no one is interested really but this has really wound me up and need to get it off my chest.

I placed an order with Missinglinz last week for a short and weighted shifter and a cost of £51

I received a letter this morning from parcel force saying I owe £9:56 import VAT and a further £11.25 as a clearance fee. Thats over 20 bloody quid extra on what is essentially some used bits of metal

These shifters had better be good for the £72 its finally costing me.
For the sake of the parcel being marked as spares in the US I wouldn't have this extra cost

I have bought his kit years ago, and it was really really worth it in my opinion.

I've read up on the VAT thing since paying it so was a bit of heat of the moment thing but annoying none the less.

Do you have both the short throw and the weighted rod fitted to yours?

Not now, as I drive Automatics.  But my first cabbie was manual, and the Short Throw, and Weighted billet made shifting more pleasurable as I wasn't in the middle of my passenger seat for 5th gear, and the weight gave it a firmer more direct feel.  Yes I drive on the left, and my wife thought I was playing with her legs….. sometimes yes, sometimes no shifting into 5th prior to the install.



When I had my 90 totaled, I took that off and gave it to a friend to use on his Cabby, but he put in on his Scirocco.

Tariffs and Custom Duties apply both ways on or over the pond.  I remember ordering a Clock from Gordon Spice International Spares in the early 70's  was quoted 22Pounds for the Clock, 15 Pounds for Shipping and Customs….that was when the pound was about 4-to-1 USD….. Then I got hit for additional postage to the tune of about another 10USD…..  It was a lot harder to have monies converted from USD to Pounds back then, and I think the total transaction took about 2 months between the inquiry by snail mail to the actual getting the parts to me.

Seemed like a small fortune as I was only making about 1.50/hr USD back then.

I know the feeling, sometimes I'm not sure if I'm engaging 1st gear or reaching to open the glove box.

Well I spoke to Missinglinz and they have confirmed they sent it as a 30usd gift so sounds like Uk customs are trying their luck.

I used to deal with customs clearances before most of Europe joined the EU in 2006 where all freight had to have clearance paperwork so have seen first hand how "fees" are invented and made up

 Yeh i bought a Coolant Flange from FCP Euro - spanker, $60 - £23 import & tax charges!!! only weighed about 100g!!!!!

Well I have to admit now its fitted I am very happy.

Nothing wrong with Missinglinkz service or products at all

The gears now feel very good indeed

WATERNAIR said

Well I have to admit now its fitted I am very happy.

Nothing wrong with Missinglinkz service or products at all

The gears now feel very good indeed

Told ya. Na na na na na na….