Rock bottom... CMS. The temptations...

[jond]

I'm over in Germany right now and I'm contemplating putting a CMS plate for a TS75 in my carry on luggage.  It didn't help that as soon as I got near the hotel I saw a guy doing finish sanding work for a exhibit display with all his well used Festool kit.  I can't believe the amount of time, detail, energy and design that goes into most everything here...

I must say it was quite the german language immersion experience going to the festool dealer after flying 9 hrs or so, not very effective .  I think I was likely the first NAINA USA CMS FESTOOL Junkie he had seen.  So I called around and found a shop that has an english speaking sales rep to help me out instead.  I also found that a lot shops just don't carry the CMS to begin with - I had to do a bit of digging around.

So far I've ordered:

CMS plate for a TS 75
Larger fence

A few questions:

1.  The aluminum right hand table extension is tempting, I'll likely pair this up with the CMS VE and run the fence on the MFT.  Any issues here?

2.  What can I expect when I get to the airport?  I plan to carry them both on if I can get them to fit in my small pelican case that is overhead bin size.

3.  What happens when I go through customs?  Can I/Should I claim it and get the tax back?

4.  Not a big deal at customs right?  No electrical parts, etc...

Thanks!

 

[Peter Durand]

I can foresee no problems traveling wise. Its not a liquid and you will some sort of diagram/documentation to show what it is at security. I would definitely apply to have the VAT refunded. Back in NA, although I am not a US custom agent, I can see no reason for any restriction. You may have to pay some sort of duty/tax though.

Have fun with it. Everyone else in the world can  javascript:void(0)

 

[Mauri Motti]

By "in overhead" I assume you mean in the overhead locker? It might be a bit of a problem to tuck some metal parts through customs though I have no experience with metal myself really but often flew with odd luggage and had lots of explaining to do or to just check it in the haul of the plane and no questions asked. I do know the people at the border patrol may be a pain in the #%`"*. It may also depend if you have a direct flight or one or several transfers to make.(Great Britten sucks when it comes to airport security!)  I would definitely play it save by checking in your luggage or better, contact the airport staff before packing your bags. Mailing might be expensive but would guarantee (when insured) arrival of your goods.

Have fun with your goodies!
Mauri Motti

 

[ridgenj]

As a US citizen you can import with you up to 800 USD without any problems. For amounts above it. Border Patrol will charge you up to 10% duty for over the limit. If the excess is modest they will wave it because it cost more money/time to do the paperwork but don't count on it. Carry the receipt handy. Collect the 19% MWst after you checked in and before you pass security.
Airports like Frankfurt, Munich etc are well organized and usually you get the form stamped by the border agents in a booth next to the sign "Tax Free Returns". This company charges you about 25 euros handling so do the math first before you spend time waiting

 

[Kev]

I would be inclined to check it in rather than take it as hand luggage. No problem with metal parts if you check them in, but a riving knife or the like could be a potential weapon in hand luggage.

 

[BCConstruction]

I had family bring me over the 75 insert, the fence and the table extension and it altogether was a pretty large bulky package. They def wouldn't allow it as carry on as there quite a few parts that could be used as a weapon in the eyes of the security. They took my whole package apart and inspected all of it placed there paperwork inside to say they checked it and sealed it all back up.

Just a tip but you will def want the table extension. You have very limited cut capacity without it.

 

[jond]

Thanks for the input everyone!  I'm probably going to have to place it in my checked bag I suppose. 

So is there a way to run the fence on an mft with the cms vl next to it?

 

[GarryMartin]

There are two lengths of fence - one that is the right size for the CMS (and CS 50) and one that is the right size for the MFT (and CS 70).

They are 492095 for the CMS and 488062 for the MFT.

I'm not sure you can use the shorter fence for the CMS on the MFT as it needs to connect at the front and rear rails. Maybe you could not connect at the rear rail, but I'm not sure how effective that would be.

By all accounts, they're not the best fences in the world. Several members have used an Incra TS with their CMS and MFT VL.

 

[JeromeM]

3.  What happens when I go through customs?  Can I/Should I claim it and get the tax back?

make sure the dealer you buy from is set up to do the paperwork for the tax return form. If they aren't you won't get the tax back.

Check the tools in and you will have no problem. Try to carry on and you probably will have problems.

I've checked in saws sanders a domino etc never a problem.

I tried to carry on a saw and had a big problem with the blade.

Often if there is a problem with carry on you have to abandon the item!!!

 

[ridgenj]

If you check in, you need to go to customs, do the tax return paperwork and they will put the package in the bag band to prevent you of leaving it in Germany. If you miss the Tax return form, ask the officer for a green form and they will mail you a check later on.
The other way you get the money cash plus deductions. With the green form you get all back just 6 month later.

 

[zapdafish]

Maybe a mounting plate for an of2200 as well?  [big grin]

 

[Peter Fish]

Just in case you are worried I was told by the main man moderator who edited my classified post that I should not offer my CMS TS 55 module insert to US members as it would negate the warranty !!
I assume that means on the CMS table !! Be warned !!!!!

 

[jond]

Thanks for all the discussion guys!  I am excited and I appreciate the tips.

 

[Kev]

Just in case you are worried I was told by the main man moderator who edited my classified post that I should not offer my CMS TS 55 module insert to US members as it would negate the warranty !!
I assume that means on the CMS table !! Be warned !!!!!

I would have thought the biggest issue would be approval and work safety. Obviously there's nothing Festool can do to stop you playing with your tools in the bath, but from a work place safety and approved equipment perspective there could be issues if you use it for business on site or permit others to operate it.

I'm not saying this to scare you, just pointing out that there are probably more than simple supply reasons behind the gear being NAINA.

 

[Peter Durand]

Just in case you are worried I was told by the main man moderator who edited my classified post that I should not offer my CMS TS 55 module insert to US members as it would negate the warranty !!
I assume that means on the CMS table !! Be warned !!!!!

I would have thought the biggest issue would be approval and work safety. Obviously there's nothing Festool can do to stop you playing with your tools in the bath, but from a work place safety and approved equipment perspective there could be issues if you use it for business on site or permit others to operate it.

I'm not saying this to scare you, just pointing out that there are probably more than simple supply reasons behind the gear being NAINA.

Strange that in the rest of the world, Festool considers it to be perfectly safe. Makes you wonder.

 

[Kev]

Just in case you are worried I was told by the main man moderator who edited my classified post that I should not offer my CMS TS 55 module insert to US members as it would negate the warranty !!
I assume that means on the CMS table !! Be warned !!!!!

I would have thought the biggest issue would be approval and work safety. Obviously there's nothing Festool can do to stop you playing with your tools in the bath, but from a work place safety and approved equipment perspective there could be issues if you use it for business on site or permit others to operate it.

I'm not saying this to scare you, just pointing out that there are probably more than simple supply reasons behind the gear being NAINA.

Strange that in the rest of the world, Festool considers it to be perfectly safe. Makes you wonder.

To be honest I think the size and nature of some of the cases that go through the US legal system make a lot of the non US companies very cautious.

 

[jond]

Mission accomplished! 

Everything made it through just fine and nothing out of the ordinary happened in the process.  I got some really weird looks from the customs agent because I packed everything for my trip in two pelican cases (large/small) and put the CMS on the top of the big one.  For some reason these cases attract a lot of attention (weird looks/comments) as soon as you get back to the states.  The customs agent asked me what was inside and then didn't even look in, I was surprised....

Now since I have the plate I must buy the CMS!!