Shipping A No 32 MK1 scope to England from Canada

[bros]

Ok guys thanks for the help so far, seems I should call customs. I hate dealing with the hierarchy, we are way over regulated in this politically correct age we live in.

[Seaforth72]

I recently went through this. When a No. 32 MK.II of mine was mailed to me in Canada after repairs in the UK, Fulton's of Bisley declared the value on the package at full retail value, as if I had just bought it in the UK which was not the case. Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) regulations state that they could charge tax based upon the full value of the repaired item even if it was only sent for repairs. Not all Customs staff know this of course. Some collectors have had success by stating that the item was being sent for repairs and ensuring that when it was sent back to Canada, it was clearly stated that it had just been repaired, not purchased, with the cost of repairs listed. One could run into difficulty if insuring it for full replacement value as that might flag it.

As those who deal with bureaucracies will tell you, if you ask, sometimes that creates problems as people then go and read the regulations in detail, which can sometimes backfire. On the other hand, ignorance can also lead to problems. My wife and I have a policy of always declaring everything to Customs. Usually they are appreciative of the honesty and treat us well.

Brian Dick (BDL) in the USA has an excellent reputation, but for a Canadian to send a scope to the UK via BDL means that it crosses international borders four times which adds to complication as one has to deal with three different Customs organizations.

Canadians have the option of having repairs done in Canada by Warren Wheatfield in Sudbury, Ontario. He repaired a No. 32 MK. I scope for me and I was very pleased with the work. I shall be sending others to him shortly.

If planning to send a scope to the UK, do ask who would do the repairs. Peter Laidler in the UK was routing all such repair jobs through Fulton's of Bisley to and from him and after my No. 32 MK. II scope was repaired by him (and beautifully so I might add) in early 2015, he stated that he no longer wanted to repair No. 32 scopes, so I should stop referring people to him for that.

[Peter Laidler]

It's just that I don't want or need telescope business. There are others here in the UK and in Canada (and Oz as I understand) who have the optical facilities, spares and equipment to do them.

[Robert303]

As an ex UK customs officer I would agree that calling it a 'Small Telescope being exported for REPAIR' is better than mentioning Firearms or Rifle. You must get in touch with Canadian Customs about the duty on the repair cost only. If they are anything like UK customs there will be a code for this. Try to get the code number. Ask the repair company to put 'small telescope being RETURNED AFTER REPAIR with the code and the COST OF REPAIR on the declaration. The UK terminology was 'Returned Goods Relief' or RTR.

[Flying10uk]

Any mention of Firearm or Weapon here in the U.K. is likely to provoke as massive over-reaction by customs or law enforcement.

[Brian Dick]

Since we're dealing with legalities here, I want to mention that I'm in the process of trying to export two No.32 telescopes recently purchased in the USA to England. They are considered controlled items when being commercially exported after purchase by a foreign buyer. These were purchased off Ebay and the buyers didn't request proper invoices from the sellers. Luckily, I know one of the sellers and he understands the regulations so I had no problem obtaining an invoice from him. The other seller is problematic and refuses to cooperate with me so far, (I've phoned him three times now). Because they are surplus military telescopes, they require export licensing from DDTC, U.S. Department of State. Customs and Border Protection require the invoices upon export with a destination control statement added. If anyone here endeavors into cross border purchasing of these type items from the USA, please request a proper invoice from the seller. PayPal statements and Ebay receipts do not make the grade in the eyes of ITAR regulators. It'll make life much easier for myself and other exporters tasked with getting the job done so you can get your items with no legal hassles. Thanks for reading. Brian