Importing Festool Products From UK to USA?

[Brice_Arnold]

Can you guys share your experiences with purchasing festool products from the UK and having it shipped to the US?

Are the dealers allowed to ship Festool products outside of their respective countries?

Can you recommend any European dealers?

Is there an alternative to the UK, what is the best country to buy from as far as shipping, duties, exchange rate?

I am contemplating ordering some NAINA items.

For the power tools there is the obvious issue with the different AC requirements. I am mostly looking at accessories so this is a non-issue. 

 

[ajones]

we have 110v tools here in the Uk. Uk dealers are not allowed to ship outside of the uk

 

[jmbfestool]

Uk is the best place to buy as far as I know as Festool is the cheapest in the UK  compared to the rest of europe.    Well Rexy sells alot to the rest of europe thats why  he has updated his website if you look he has a euro sign and it  sends you to this site Shipping Costs to Europe from Rexy     So it must be cheaper unless people are stupid and just buy from the UK lol  he said he has sold in Holland and many more.

No European country is aloud to sell to the USA   the only way if you can find a dodgy dealer who doesn't mind bending the rules OR if you know a friend or some you can trust who can buy it from the Dealer and then send the tool to you which is perfectly fine.

JMB

 

[Ken Nagrod]

JMB will put whatever you want on his next order.  Just tell him you want to run a tab.

 

[Alan m]

the uk is the cheapest in europe. i have bought from rex crystals in the past and will do again. also no respectable dealer will sell to you from the us. .
you definetly need a buddy  to send it to you.

 

[peter halle]

And also remember that if you end up with a tool that is NAINA that needs servicing, there could be a parts availability issue.  I.e. - no need to stock parts for items that are not available here.

Peter

 

[pugilato]

the thought has crossed my mind, but alas, i dont know anyone in Europe.  If I did, spare parts would not be an issue either.

One has to wonder... why are all these wonderful tools available over there but not over here?  Don't they like us?

 

[jmbfestool]

the thought has crossed my mind, but alas, i dont know anyone in Europe.  If I did, spare parts would not be an issue either.

One has to wonder... why are all these wonderful tools available over there but not over here?  Don't they like us?

Nope lol haahaa

 

[AlexThePalex]

One has to wonder... why are all these wonderful tools available over there but not over here?  Don't they like us?

Many tools are 240 volt only. Offering them in the USA would mean they'd have to be redesigned to 110 volt models. And that is very costly so I think they only did that with models they thought would sell well in the States. UL probably also has something to do with it.

 

[mouppe]

I've bought plenty of stuff in the UK and brought it back to Canada. Dealers won't ship it to you, but there's nothing to stop you bringing it back personally.

I have used Toucan Tools and can highly recommend them. Ask for Tony.

 

[Brice_Arnold]

One has to wonder... why are all these wonderful tools available over there but not over here?  Don't they like us?

Many tools are 240 volt only. Offering them in the USA would mean they'd have to be redesigned to 110 volt models. And that is very costly so I think they only did that with models they thought would sell well in the States. UL probably also has something to do with it.

I'm not even looking at powered tools though. Things like the centrotec kit with systainer, the digital level, the oil dispensing kit, the socket ratchet kit. I would think that it would be a no-brainer to get these in the US. but who knows.

 

[jmbfestool]

Maybe some one here on fog you can trust who lives in the uk!   I don't mind helping out.

Jmb

 

[ajones]

the thought has crossed my mind, but alas, i dont know anyone in Europe.  If I did, spare parts would not be an issue either.

One has to wonder... why are all these wonderful tools available over there but not over here?  Don't they like us?

You know quite a few people in europe we are on the fog [wink]

 

[pugilato]

Whoa!  What are those?  What is in those boxes?  I dont know german!

 

[venk67]

That socket set looks sweet!!

Does anyone know how big the largest socket is, in that set?  I am assuming in millimeters?

And 3/8 inch drive?

V

 

[pugilato]

Methinks there is more to that set than just sockets...

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

One has to wonder... why are all these wonderful tools available over there but not over here?  Don't they like us?

Many tools are 240 volt only. Offering them in the USA would mean they'd have to be redesigned to 110 volt models. And that is very costly so I think they only did that with models they thought would sell well in the States. UL probably also has something to do with it.

I would think they have dual voltage motors.

They are plentiful here.

 

[extiger]

For awhile I was considering buying the discontinued CDD portable drill from the UK. Couldn't get one here in the states. Shipping to the U.S. was free, since I worked for an airline.

I even looked on eBay/UK and found a reasonable number of used items in England. But, you would invalidate the warranty. For corded tools, the voltage and the cycles don't match. For battery equipment, you would be OK just buying a domestic version charger.  That's pretty inexpensive. Some of my co-workers were tool nuts and considered the option of buying European equipment. For the most part, they abandoned the idea. Too many downsides.  And they got FedEx shipping at no charge.

This doesn't apply to heavy wood machinery. It is simple to swap out an Induction motor.

 

[Timtool]

on ebay you can find pretty much anything, most are german dealers that will ship across europe and further. it won't be easy though to read the terms and conditions and communicate if you can't read german.

 

[festoller]

You should keep the VAT in mind!

If you purchase something in Europe and have it shipped by a friend, you'll end up paying the VAT (arround 19%) and possible custom charges on top when importing to the US. Better find a dealer who'll deduct the VAT and ship directly. If it's just about non electric tools maybe you'll find a dealer who'll ship it to you.