Shipping/Customs charges. Aaaaarrrgh!

Gift = gift = no commercial value.

If it is lost in the postal system, any insurance will reflect what you have registered the item as being worth.

Hang on.. "no commercial value" but what about just "value".

The gift still has value so why wouldn't the insurance you get for the package cover the item's value? If I send £3000 diamond ring through the post to my mum and get it insured, why wouldn't they pay out if it was lost? Or, why would it be charged duty (I could fly there with it in my suitcase and not pay duty)?

Nevermind.. the government are cunts..

Goods sent as a gift are not free of import duties and import VAT.

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageTravel_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_000014&propertyType=document#P59_5036

no, but "free samples" are.

The "gift" loophole was closed earlier this year.

Don't forget, you pay vat on the shipping cost.

Item+duty+shipping then VAT on the total.
Am I right in saying the "duty" bit is fairly arbitrary? Or, is there some sort of list?

Both my bikes from Japan cost around £80/100 to get inc Parcelforces wanky £15/20 handling charge, par for the course though. If you're paying anything over $600 for a frame then what do you expect, to get it for £20? It's not a bag of crisps

Am I right in saying the "duty" bit is fairly arbitrary? Or, is there some sort of list?

No, you're not.

Yes, there is.

It's a huge list (couple of decent sized phone books). Not sure how you can see a copy, but a freight forwarder may have one.

Easiest thing to do is phone your local Customs and Extortion office to check the rate.

Bikes are expensive because historically duty rates were set to protect UK industries.

Watches attract a fixed rate of duty of about 50p (VAT is still a percentage) because we've never had much of a watch industry.

Duty on lighters is also 50p, because we used to make a lot of matches.

Serves you right for buying silly too-small Jap bikes instead of utilising the World Famous British Engineering League of Great British Bicycle and Tricycle Designers and Builders Guild Incorporated(tm).

Belgbbtdbgi dam I though that may be a acronym.

the duty on a frame is different for a complete bike (can't remember which is lower)

if they put 2nd hand bike parts (which they are) you shouldnt get charged anything - I asked rene to do that with my frame and bobs-some-guy-you-know, it worked.

bit late for you now but good to know i guess.

Both my bikes from Japan cost around £80/100 to get inc Parcelforces wanky £15/20 handling charge, par for the course though. If you're paying anything over $600 for a frame then what do you expect, to get it for £20? It's not a bag of crisps

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHH calm down love. ; ). No i wasnt expecting to pay £20 but defin didnt expect £120 ( including there stupid charges )

So after customs fucked up the delivery details which forced me into a car trip out with the wonderful build my AMAZING new frame is with me. WHHOOOP.
Pics will follow when its built up : )

Good news.

I'm going to steal it whilst you sleep :]

Give us a clue, what letter does it begin with?

Hang on.. "no commercial value" but what about just "value".

The gift still has value so why wouldn't the insurance you get for the package cover the item's value? If I send £3000 diamond ring through the post to my mum and get it insured, why wouldn't they pay out if it was lost? Or, why would it be charged duty (I could fly there with it in my suitcase and not pay duty)?

No commercial value = no custom charges = no insurance (insurance being based on value).

A 'gift' over the value of £36 is subject to custom charges.

[EDIT: just seen that you already know this]

good stuff Em, can't wait to see it built up :)

Give us a clue, what letter does it begin with?
N for never you mind.

its a 3rensho thats all i am saying : )

Can't believe you told them. I'd have kept eveyone in suspense.

don't get it. just a 3rensho in pink, the same as mooses.

Use a courier not a postal service. They cost more upfront, but are responsible for declaring the duty and collecting it. DHL sent me an invoice once for around £400 in duty. I never paid it, they did nothing about it.

if they put 2nd hand bike parts (which they are) you shouldnt get charged anything - I asked rene to do that with my frame and bobs-some-guy-you-know, it worked.

bit late for you now but good to know i guess.

Wrong. Read the feckin' link!

"Used goods are still liable to the same duty and VAT charges as if they were new. However, their value may vary depending on their age and condition."

I can confirm that it's nice and I am jealous.

don't get it. just a 3rensho in pink, the same as mooses.

No its not. its loads different.