Bell's Banter 2022

[Gerard C]

Andy, I've been dreaming watching this catalogue for years! I think we have no comparable supplier here (may be Danielson but not sure), that's why we purchase many goods from the UK. Unfortunately, I had no luck when ordering from them an it seems that refund can be a hassle…

[Peter Mallett]

They've got an Italian outlet IIRC. That would be better for deliveries to France.

[Gerard C]

Thank you, Peter, never heard about this before. Will try! Yes it's better and simpler, the delivery companies in France make a huge profit since Brexit, French customs too, a lot of parcels are lost - stolen I mean - but still we have to pay for!

[Peter Mallett]

I may stand corrected in this but when I was in Albania the website sent me to an Italian address.

[John Elwin]

Gerard, Peter Krober had a similar business in Germany that I believe was very good. My current information is not very upto date so I will try & find contact details (if any).

Also Gerard, do you find that the customs charges are very inconsistent & seem like a bit of a lottery?

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by John Elwin

Gerard, Peter Krober had a similar business in Germany that I believe was very good. My current information is not very upto date so I will try & find contact details (if any).

Also Gerard, do you find that the customs charges are very inconsistent & seem like a bit of a lottery?

The company still exists. It is called ISA Racing & is exhibiting at Essen Motor Show this week. It stocks a comprehensive range of products.

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by John Elwin

Also Gerard, do you find that the customs charges are very inconsistent & seem like a bit of a lottery?

Sure I do, John! It all started c five years ago with goods coming from the USA. To be clear, a while ago we had almost no charge for any parcel, only for cars and bikes sent by sea. All of a sudden, we've been charged even for the transport already paid.

Since the Brexit, we have extra charges with no explaination and sometimes have to pay twice for the VAT. And we do know it's not our suppliers responsability or any foreign gov decision!

[Gerard C]

And because of this lottery, a lot of my friends gave up refurbishing classics. Even a Jeep or Mustang is not worth unless you find a stockist and fair prices on parts. Quite a challenge!

[John Elwin]

I've been lucky (mostly) so far but I was charged 13 euros duty on a £20 book from England, despite the paperwork stating that duty had already been paid.

I also had a demand by email for 1 euro on some magazines that were en route. Needless to say I ignored that & the magazines were delivered with no problems or charges.

I'm assuming that this nonsense has its roots in Brussels as they seem to be desperate to grab money anyway they can. All those expensive empty apartments in Knokke have to be paid for somehow!!

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by John Elwin

I've been lucky (mostly) so far but I was charged 13 euros duty on a £20 book from England, despite the paperwork stating that duty had already been paid.

Same in Spain, very few people bother to get anything delivered from the UK as the duty is often more than the parcel is worth.
Good old Brexshit!

[midgetman]

I tried to buy some kart parts from Italy the other day. Shipping was nearly £200 which it certainly wasn't last time I ordered a year or so back, nothing says "we don't want to deal with the UK" like prohibitive shipping costs.

IIRC it was a tenner or so previously.

Sent from my AC2003 using Tapatalk

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by midgetman

I tried to buy some kart parts from Italy the other day. Shipping was nearly £200 which it certainly wasn't last time I ordered a year or so back, nothing says "we don't want to deal with the UK" like prohibitive shipping costs.

IIRC it was a tenner or so previously.

Sent from my AC2003 using Tapatalk

Very often on one of our local forums down here people are asking if anyone can bring a parcel down for them, either on a flight or ferry. I know that there are quite a few checks at the port in Santander on incoming traffic, but we are never questioned about articles on arrival at the airport in Spain. However, we are checked at departure in the UK but only for illegal things.

[Gerard C]

Illegal things? Well, down here it seems that a Rochester carb, a Jerico gearbox or Capri parts can be dangerous business!

OK, our customs dept caught more than 115 tons of various drugs last year but no one can tell what is the total amount. I must admit that racing a classic is really addictive and can be harmful tho… Expensive too.

[John Elwin]

At least one member of the Dubai-based drugs cartel that got busted last week had rather a tasty collection of classics, including a gull-wing Merc, Jaguar XK & a modern Ferrari.

[Gerard C]

Well good 'taste' then! Hope he's carrying mexican stuff too…