I would like to warn UK readers that UK Customs rules have changed for
importation to UK from any non-EEC country.  There used to be a 'Nil'
rate for items which you could prove to be over 100 years old, or items
made in European member countries being re-imported into the community,
or indeed, items sent for restoration elsewhere.

Well, I am now informed that, as a retaliatory measure in response to
import duty applied by USA to items imported from Europe, the 'Nil'
rate has changed to be a five percent rate minimum charge.  Basically
we are 'punished' for not buying locally in our own country, even though
most of these things are not available here.

Even rules about small parcels have changed, with duty being payable on
_gifts_ over £18 now, whereas it used to be £35 before, so think twice
about what you send as a present.

Parcelforce UK now charge £8 to knock on the door and collect the
customs charges, and U.P.S. now charge £13 ($26) to knock on the door
and collect customs charges for parcels delivered, which is on top of
any customs duty or V.A.T. (at 17.5%).

Therefore do bear this in mind if you are thinking of importing
anything from USA as, whilst the USA dollar is at a very good rate for
UK at the moment, the import charges are not.

Conversely, postal rates will be going up here in UK from April 2005,
so if possible please order items from me before they go up.

If you would like a current list please contact me at
<kevin_mcelhone@hotmail.com> or see my web site at
http://members.lycos.co.uk/kmcelhone/

Kevin McElhone
Northampton, UK