Importing a DRO from USA?

[houstonceng]

Hi all

A few years back, I bought a 4 axis DRO from EMS-I in the UK. They no longer trade, and I have been told that the parent company AMTS NW Ltd are expensive. Meanwhile, DRO-Pros in the USA sell exactly the same kit=t that I bought pre COVID, but at that time, EMS-I were cheaper. I wondered if it is worthwhile to import from DRO-Pros so have been looking for the import duty charged on a DRO kit. Unfortunately, HMRC don’t appear to have a product code - or at least I cannot find one searching for Digital Readout if Machine Tool Spares, etc, etc, etc.

Has anyone either imported a DRO from DRO-Pros, or another USA firm and knows what the duty would be. I know I would have to pay VAT at 20% on the goods, import duty and shipping cost.

[twombo]

I’ve been in conversation with the owner of DRO pros. He is very helpful. I live about 75 miles from his location. I will ask maybe supply your needs concerning duties export, etc. thank you. Andy, I am building 2 1/2 inch gauge. I am building a Charlie. 3-D printing parts when the3-D printer arrives. Are there any good resources for drawings? I’m not had much luck contacting NRM again thank you.

[houstonceng]

I m not familiar with Charlie loco. I can try contacting NRM for you.

[JonL]

Could it be easier to find out who its made by originally? My money is a rebranded chinese company. In which case see if you can get from them directly. My complete DRO setup was barely £200.

[92220]

Go to Google and type in AliExpress. This takes you to a Chinese version of Amazon. They sell loads of 4-axis DRO sets for "peanuts" and some are well known, and respected, names. Certainly worth a look. I think you might find that there is no duty to pay as DROs are only a part of a much larger machine. I would suggest contacting HMRC and asking if duty is actually payable. I've bought loads of tooling from them and never had to pay a penny duty. Maybe a DRO is different but I would think it would be considered just a part of a machine and duty may not be payable, after all, a DRO is useless unless fitted as part of a machine tool.

Bob.

[John Baguley]

Jul 10, 2024 12:37:44 GMT houstonceng said:

I m not familiar with Charlie loco. I can try contacting NRM for you.

It's the SR Q1 0-6-0

I bought a DRO for the mill direct from China and had to pay VAT and duty. I don't think the duty was much (can't find the original invoice) as the chinese sellers tend to put a much lower value on the item. I think I also had to pay something to the courier (DHL) for them paying the duty on my behalf (it was DHL who charged me for the VAT and duty)

I have been buying a few bits from AliExpress recently and they always add VAT to the listed prices.

John