Tickets to UK booked and paid for - wife says to leave the CPAP machine home so she can fit in more shoes to bring home ....I DON'T THINK SO!

How many Mini bits can I get in 30Kgs?

_________________
David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

Dont know but is it worth it? I gather you have to pay VAT over the counter..

_________________
Cheers
Alec
1275LS - July 78 - XNFAD18Y/102918

20% VAT now too

_________________
WD40'll fix it!
If it don't, use a big hammer!

Tell us how much each bit weighs and we can work it out for you

_________________
1964 998cc Cooper
1971 Mini K x 2
1972 Clubman GT

I heard you can claim that back at the airport? Not that I did..

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I'd be looking for second hand stuff via eBay.
Pick it up. Bring it home. No VAT.
Plus you can get everything new here.

_________________
WD40'll fix it!
If it don't, use a big hammer!

Yes, you have to spend a minimum amount at each store (I can't recall, it might be 100 pounds) and you have to arrive at the airport early enough to join the VAT refund queue and be able to show them all of the goods - i.e. don't pack them in your suitcase, check it in and then go to the VAT refund counter with just your receipts, as you will be sadly disappointed.

Oh, and security can be a bit funny about any large lump of metal (x-pin diff ) in your carry on baggage, as it could potentially be used as a weapon during the flight - they view baseball bats and motorcycle helmets the same way, and they decide how strictly to apply the rules. So put those kinds of things in your checked baggage.

PDJ and Panthersteve have some good ideas!

_________________

30kg worth!
Doesn't matter if it's rocks or minibits, it still weighs 30kg : )

_________________

There is a VAT claim back centre inside Heathrow airport. Don't be sucked in standing in the very long queue at the entry doors, as this queue is usually about 1 hour wait.
You show your parts and receipts at the VAT office and then fill in a form which is posted away and about 6 weeks later I got the VAT refunded into my bank account.
The store you buy the goods from must give you a stamped claim back form at the time of purchase.
The other option is to purchase a whole heap of stuff and have it freighted back home, they will usually not charge VAT if you do this plus you get to walk around and check out the bits before they are shipped. I did this at Minisport last year.
My wife also claimed back the VAT on her bulk buy of shoes when we went shopping in London. It was the least I could do

_________________
1969 Cooper "S"
1967 Mini Deluxe
1973 Clubman Van (the fleet spare)
1978 ex 1275 LS ("Wizard" Eaton Supercharged)
2015 HSV GenF GTS(occasional drive & tow car)
2019 MINI F55 Cooper S

Pack it in your carry-on - no freight fees... and you must show (prove) the items are being exported to claim the VAT refund. And make sure you get the correct VAT refund form when you buy the stuff.

They very rarely weigh carry-ons. If they do, stick it in your pocket.... Anything on your person is not counted in your carry on allowance. I once managed to get a carry on on a United flight that I could not pick up with one hand javascript:emoticon(':shock:')

MichaelB has it right - don't wait to get cash in hand, have them post it (refund your credit card).

Cheers, Ian

On one trip back from the USA my carry on bag was a Boss 302 cylinder head wrapped in cardboard and string.

Make sure you get receipts then you will be able to claim Paid VAT at the Airport before you leave. Have your bank account info handy.

_________________
DID I MENTION THAT I AM THE BEST SUPPLIER FOR MINI ELECTRICAL PARTS AND REPAIRS?
"Let us remove your "SHORTS"

Like that idea

_________________
David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

When I visited Mini Spares North last year, I bought some parts over the counter VAT free. They used my account with my Australian address, but marked the invoice as pick up. They were pretty good about it.

James.