Import licence changes

[artiglio]

Good day people.

A heads up for those that may not be aware. Changes to import regulations now mean that many items previously that could be imported from outside the EU now require an import licence, this would seem to include almost anything related to reloading. I ordered a neck turning tool from the US, unfortunately it arrived in customs on the 3rd of July and would appear to have been seized, as yet no direct contact from customs, all info from general helpline.
Advice from them is in future to determine the commodity code for anything you wish to order and check licence requirements. Most likely this will mean many US firms will no longer deal with personal orders.

Regards phil

[phaedra1106]

That sounds like b@ll@cks, I can't find anything online about it at all. As far as I can see there is no restriction on reloading equipment or tools. I'd go back to them and ask exactly what the changes were and where to find a copy of them.

[artiglio]

TRust me I'm trying, I've been given a commodity code of 930520 to check against, requirement introduced by HSE on first July, so the HMRC helpline man tells me. If anyone can show this is incorrect I'd be grateful as it means my stuff would be released.

[DW58]

Good day people.

A heads up for those that may not be aware. Changes to import regulations now mean that many items previously that could be imported from outside the EU now require an import licence, this would seem to include almost anything related to reloading. I ordered a neck turning tool from the US, unfortunately it arrived in customs on the 3rd of July and would appear to have been seized, as yet no direct contact from customs, all info from general helpline.
Advice from them is in future to determine the commodity code for anything you wish to order and check licence requirements. Most likely this will mean many US firms will no longer deal with personal orders.

Regards phil

Speaking as a retired Customs Officer - albeit perhaps rather rusty - if goods have been seized or detained by Customs, you would have to be provided with a notice of seizure or detention giving reason for the goods being held.

If as you say your goods have been in the UK since July 3rd - almost ten weeks - they would have contacted you by now. Do you actually know your goods are with Customs, or are you merely speculating as such because they are late? The US mail system is very inefficient - this could be a surface shipment rather than airmail, I recently had a package take twelve weeks to cross the Atlantic.

Have you any concrete evidence of such changes to legislation, or is this merely supposition because your parcel is late?

[phaedra1106]

HS Code 930520 is for shotguns and rifles, says nothing about reloading equipment at all.

There was an update in April http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... 9129,d.ZWU

[artiglio]

DW58,

Tracking shows item entering customs on 3rd July. I've spent hours trying to get info, the USPS forwarding agent and parcel force have both contacted customs on my behalf, and both say item has been held for further enquiries. Neither will give me a direct contact. The seized item enquiry line for customs is constantly engaged. the info regarding the change of regulations came from the HMRC help desk, who was also surprised I'd not received a "seizure notice" they advised me to complain which you have to do by post, writing it now. I was also given a number for the HSE which issues the licences but this number is not recognised, but still on their website. British burocracy at its best

[Blackstuff]

I think you'll find if you speak to The Border Force who are more likely the agency which has seized your goods they'll say they suspect your order is 'firearms parts'. In which case you just need to send them a copy of your FAC and an email explaining what the goods are. They wait for you to contact them, rather than them bothering their arses to contact you so the sooner you start politely rattling cages the sooner you'll get your stuff

Same thing happened to me getting a forend sent over from the US. 2.5 days shipping, 1 week in US Customs and then 3.5 weeks in UK Customs/Border Agency because no one bothered to tell me what was going on sign01

[Christel]

I think you'll find if you speak to The Border Force who are more likely the agency which has seized your goods they'll say they suspect your order is 'firearms parts'. In which case you just need to send them a copy of your FAC and an email explaining what the goods are. They wait for you to contact them, rather than them bothering their arses to contact you so the sooner you start politely rattling cages the sooner you'll get your stuff

I second that, worked for us before.

[artiglio]

Phaedra

93 - Arms ,ammunition,parts and accessories thereof
05- Parts and accessories of articles of headings 9301 to 9304

reloading eqpt has been classed as "parts and accessories"

been through that with a very patient man on phone at HMRC

[artiglio]

The only contact I have for border force is the phone that's permanently engaged and the complaints address, if anyone has an email contact I'd be most grateful, no doubt the info I require is on the seizure notice I don't have. All very frustrating.