Customs and Extortion (sorry Excise)

[vetteheadracer]

I bought a Corvette in 2003 (a lot of you already know this).
I have a crack in the exhaust manifold so contact US dealer about a new one. They say don't need to send broken one back to US (imagine the cost).
So I get a call from UPS yesterday informing me that I need to pay £108.55 VAT and Duty on my replacement manifold.....but it's a warranty item I tell them and it's been shipped as such with zero value by the supplier. No matter I still have to pay VAT and Duty.

So I call HMRE as they are now called and talk to Mr. Ivor Personality-Bypass who quotes me very unhappy on the rules.
A. If I had exported broken manifold and had the correct export paperwork I could have imported the warranty item for free.
B. I could have the broken manifold destroyed here under "Customs" destruction guidelines.

"What are they then?" I ask...."er they don't apply to this type of product" replies Mr. I P-B.

So I point out to Mr. Pointy-Head that this seems to me to be a little unfair that I have to pay Tax and Duty twice on the same thing.

He suggested I take it up with my M.P. as he was only applying the law.........w*nker.

....and breatheeeeeeeeeee!

[eccles]

just phone up daewoo and ask them to reimburse you the customs charge.

[vetteheadracer]

eccles said:

just phone up daewoo and ask them to reimburse you the customs charge.

[dazren]

Can't you drop the broken bits off at the office of Mr Personality Bypass? (With an approriate amount of grease/oil etc soiling the reception carpet).

The whole thing sounds totally ed up.

DAZ