UK members - Have you bought kit from the USA online?

[Sav25 1]

As the title says - anyone from the UK ordered stuff from the USA? Did it come through ok? Any recommendations? Suggestions? Problems?

Cheers,

Rich

[Clark12 0]

I order kit from the US all the time, unfortunately manufacturers restrictions have become a bit of a nightmare so it is very hard to get alot of products. You will not be able to get Bauer, Reebook, CCM or Easton delivered to an address outside the US and sometimes it can be a bit of a pain to get Warrior as well.

Luckily enough alot of the best inline equipment is made by smaller companies like Mission (altho I'm not sure how the Bauer takeover will affect shipping on their products), Tour, Labeda, Rink Rat etc. Stuff made by these companies is really easy to get sent to the UK. I have had several dealings with www.inlinewarehouse.com in the past and every time my order has arrived withing 3 or 4 days of ordering it however be prepared to pay import tax to Fedex once your stuff arrrives.

The best option by far is still to ship to a US address and then get it forwarded onto you by a friend. If you don't know anyone in the states then there are a few other options such as www.borderlinx.com where you can buy a US PO Box for your stuff to be sent to and then they will forward it. It's a little more expensive, but it will allow you to get restricted items (Bauer, Reebook CCM and Easton) into the UK.

[Sav25 1]

Thanks for the reply - very helpful :)

Just to expand on this...

however be prepared to pay import tax to Fedex once your stuff arrrives.

...So when your stuff is delivered - they charge you extra before handing over the goods? Or is this included at the checkout online? How much is it roughly? (percentage wise)

Rich

[Clark12 0]

No it will not be included in the online checkout. Fedex will deliver your goods and then usually around a week later you will recieve a letter through the post to tell you that you owe them money. At a rough estimate it works out at around 6% of the price of your goods... I.E. For a £100 order you will recieve a bill for £15

[nummer55 10]

6%? You UK guys don't have to pay VAT? In general you pay a percentage for custom duties (depends on the product, often 2-5%) and VAT (16%-20% depends on where you live). You pay these percentages over the total sum of your order, so the products plus the shipping costs. Often buying your equipment locally might be cheaper, especially when you need to return something.

[Sav25 1]

Seems like buying from the US will cost a lot

Probably only worth doing if its definitely not available from the UK - and pretty much everything is available over here - just not always in stock

Wish i lived in the US - loads of Hockey shops over your way! ;)

[team50 20]

Don't forget the US neighbours to the North for all things hockey related.