Of possible interest to UK forum members, I have just received my first order from Penn State, and in fact my first order from the U.S. in quite some time. It was for three Starter Sets of pen kits, the ones complete with drill and bushings, with a total of $125. Shipping was another $13, making a total of $138, or £99.04 via PayPal. I had to go to collect the parcel from my local Parcels Post Office as there was the expected charge to pay, but this was better than expected as there were no import duties to pay. I can only assume that this was due to it being a private purchase, rather than a trade one intended for re-sale. As the stated value ($125) was over the £15 limit I still have to pay the £17.38 VAT sales tax though, plus an £8 collection fee to the Post Office (which REALLY bugs me!).
In total I paid £25.38p, slightly over a quarter of the total order, on top of my £99.04 to Penn State. Comparing this new total price of £124.42p (the old standby formula of £1 : $1 !!!) to the price of the individual kits at such as Axminster Tools, who also import the same kits, there is still an appreciable saving, so it was worth taking the risk!
TonyW
In total I paid £25.38p, slightly over a quarter of the total order, on top of my £99.04 to Penn State. Comparing this new total price of £124.42p (the old standby formula of £1 : $1 !!!) to the price of the individual kits at such as Axminster Tools, who also import the same kits, there is still an appreciable saving, so it was worth taking the risk!
TonyW
