I've been asked by a few UK members for estimates of shipping/import taxes for the FOGtainers. I have replied to all individually saying I'm looking into it, but I figured it would be quicker to start a thread.

I've looked into the import taxes, and (unsurprisingly) it's quite complicated. Here's what I've found so far.

Duty is paid not only on the item value, but also the cost of shipping and insurance. The duty is 3.7%, but is only charged where the goods value (not including shipping & insurance) exceeds GBP135.  However, if the tax due works out at less than GBP9.00, they don't bother collecting it. VAT is due on the entire value, including shipping & insurance fees.

If you're in the UK and looking to place an order for FOGtainers, you could try the following:

1. Decide on the systainers you want, and calculate the weight. The PACKED weights are estimated as follows:

Sys1 - 7lb / 3.2kg;
Sys2 - 8lb / 3.6kg;
Sys3 - 9lb / 4.1kg;
Sys4 - 10lb / 4.5kg.

These weights are admittedly on the high side, but it's better over than under.

2. You can then go to the UPS/DHL/other carrier website & get a shipping cost estimate for that weight, from Peter's zip code (23139) to your postcode. Don't forget to get a price for insurance if you want it.

3. Calculate the import taxes based on the values of the goods and the shipping & insurance. There are some online calculators available that can do this for you.

From the costings I've done, if you want more than one systainer, or anything larger than a sys2, shipping this way will more than double, and in some cases triple, the base cost of each systainer. If you're happy with just one Sys1, then it could be shipped fairly cheaply by USPS (American equivalent of Royal Mail).


Alternatively:

If you are wanting to order but the cost of the shipping is putting you off, then there is another option which is to ship them from the US to the UK in one shipment, and then post them out to the various UK members from here.

I'm happy to get pricing for this, and to act a distributor, but I'd need to know how many FOGtainers we're talking about. If all UK members could PM me with their provisional orders, I can then get a quote for shipping them over in one shipment which will work out much cheaper, plus the costs for domestic postage to each member.

I'll leave it until next Friday, 6th August to give everyone chance to send me their requirements. That then gives me a week or so to get the quotes done & out to everyone, so they can get their orders to Peter for his deadline of August 15th.


To give you an idea of the cost, I've done some calculations. If we can ship a reasonable quantity on a pallet then I estimate that the cost of each systainer, delivered, duty paid, and VAT paid, would be around 60% more than the prices quoted by Peter. Converting to GBP, that would be:

Sys 1 - GBP62;
Sys 2 - GBP67;
Sys 3 - GBP73;
Sys 4 - GBP79.

NOTE: this is only an estimate - the actual costs will depend on the quantity ordered by UK members, however I do feel that this is a realistic cost.

I know that even these prices seem quite steep, but remember - this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a limited edition product, and to show your support for the FOG!!!

 

Jonny

That's quote a shock, basically double the price    I will take at least 1 but will possibly take 2, just need to think about which sizes.  Had the prices been a bit better then i probably would have taken 4.  Like i said before, i said at the beginning i would buy & out of loyalty to the FOG (& all Peters hard work)  i will keep my word but it is going to be painfull.

If you are happy to get them all & then distribute then i am more than happy to send you payment up front (i trust you  )  I don't think i could be botherd with all the import pollava.

Cheers Jonny

Woodguy.

That's true, but I don't think there is a US import tax. I'm sure Peter will confirm or deny this.


That would be possible, aside from the printing of the logo. If you wanted them without the FOG logo then you could buy the dark-blue systainers from Tanos, and the Festool-green latches from Festool. That wouldn't be much of a problem. But it wouldn't be a FOGtainer, and that's the whole point...

It would also be theoretically possible to get the printing done here in the UK the same as Peter is doing in the US, but the quantities wouldn't make that economical. If there were a few hundred to do then maybe, but I guess that total orders for the UK would be anywhere from 10 to 30.


The quote I got was from UPS Freight, and is 'duty paid', including all admin charges. But I will double-check!!!

Woodguy,

Yes, compared to the standard Festool or Tanos systainers they are expensive. But they are a 'special edition', and you won't have the opportunity again. If you need to reduce the quantity of your order because of the shipping price, then I'm sure Peter will understand fully & it won't be a problem (as long as you let him know before he places the order). No-one wants anyone to overstretch themselves!

Hi,
 
I feel gutted for Peter , Jonny and all the people who have put themselves out to make this happen.  Sorry guys but things on the cash front are a bit tight , at the moment, for most people. I am sure the orders from UK and Europe would have been much larger under different conditions.

I still want a FOGtainer to show i belong.

John

Can I bring anyone in the UK a fogtainer or two when I come over in November? I will take it on the plane as hand luggage, with my real hand luggage inside. I am only coming for a few days and do not really have time to arrange shipping from England but I will be staying in West Hampstead (North-West London) if that is convenient for anybody. You can buy it through Peter and have it shipped with the fogtainers I have already ordered. I reckon I can manage 2 x sys 2 or sys 3 on the plane.

I am flying on November 17th so Peter will have to get them to me by then. I know it won't make much of a dent in the overall order but it could help somebody.

Richard.

 

Tim, you're a star!!!

Thanks for posting that. That is (for some reason) a different USPS calculator than I was using. I did state in my original post that USPS would be reasonable, but the site I looked at had a lower weight limit. Through this link you can get quotes for shipping several systainers.

I take back everything I said about bulk shipping - if you're in the UK, use Tim's link for pricing. Note that it doesn't include any insurance. It states that is an optional extra, but I haven't found details for that yet. To get a quote including insurance, select the chosen service & click 'add extra services'. Select insurance, and add the insurance value. It's very reasonable (for the quick test I just did for 2xSys2's and a sys1, it was less than $5.00!!!).

And Tim, thanks again!


Edit: In light of this Tim, your signature is very apt:

"It is "Know-how" which distinguishes the USEFUL Person from the "USELESS""

Tom,

I agree 100% - anything I can do to make Peter's job easier is fine by me!