Import duty and tax on bringing in a cpap from us to uk

sgcpapuser wrote:the almost guaranteed way where you can avoid paying the taxes is to fly to the US, get the vendor to mail the item to your hotel, and u hand carry it back on the flight.

Throw away any shipping boxes to avoid any questions at the customs. 1 machine should be fine, but 2 or more might invite some questions and u might be slapped with a fine for not declaring ur purchases.

While u r there, might as well take the chance to buy additional masks/accessories/expandables.

You could - but it would cost more than the machine to fly in to do that. The point is to save money not cost double.

No need when you can ship for $80 and legally no import duty when first purchasing the machine into UK. This thread is for people who live in UK (or EU) and looking to import from the USA.

It does seem that CPAP machines cost more in the U.K., at least when purchased out-of-pocket. I'm not clear why that would be, as I can't imagine that they would charge VAT on a medical necessity.

I would think that if you can get the NHS to buy it for you (even if there's a co-pay), that it would cost you less than importing from the U.S.

D.H. wrote:I would think that if you can get the NHS to buy it for you (even if there's a co-pay), that it would cost you less than importing from the U.S.

Obviously if NHS supplies the machine the cost is less or nothing.
Problem is sometimes the wait to get to the point NHS supplies anything is long...and sometimes they don't provide the best equipment though from recent reporting from UK members using NHS they are now at least supplying full data machines fairly often instead of the bricks they used to supply.
So some people either don't want to wait for NHS to be involved and some people simply want a different machine from what they do get from NHS.

The poster tobysmith in this thread doesn't want to wait...they (NHS) has the titration study scheduled for 3 months out and he just doesn't want to wait. He's already had a sleep study to confirm the diagnosis and it's unknown if he would be able to get the titration done sooner...so he wants to buy now and from the US even with shipping is the most cost effective way to go.

Hello,

I ordered a DreamStation Go Auto CPAP machine from the CPAP Shop in the US - as advised on the Philips US website.
The machine is not available in the UK and I wanted it for travelling - I have a DreamStation with humidifier from the NHS but it is large (enormous power block) and I did not want to damage it at airports/hotels. I sent them a copy of the letter my consultant gave me with the sleep apnea diagnosis to order. No problem.

The CPAP Shop replied: “I have forwarded your order to our technical department to have your machine programmed and shipped.”

The machines was sent using USPS - locally delivered by Parcel Force. I was kept informed by USPS and Parecl Force. Two days in customs. As the box was clearly labelled as “respiratory device for personal use” indicating the total amount paid, they only charged me VAT and a handling fee (£146). I may ask if I can get the VAT back. The machine was inside three boxes. The first two boxes were unopened/sealed from CPAP Shop; the third Philips box was inside a sleeve with a picture/logo, not sealed - as the machined was “programmed” by CPAP Shop techical departament, I suppose.

The DreamStation Go was badly scratched on one side. I was alarmed as I did not know if a techical fault was present or would develop in the future. I did not expect this situation when you spend so much money - with three protective boxes undamaged. My view is that the machine was a returned/used item or that it was damaged when it was programmed by CPAP Shop techical department.

I contacted the CPAP Shop immediately and sent then a clear picture, asking for advice. I received a short blunt paragraph saying: “We have run across this situation before. The issue you are having is due to customs opening and inspecting every electronic device that arrives in the country. We will replace the machine if it does not work properly, however the replacement machine may come to you looking the same way this one does.”

It speaks volumes about their after sales customer service. if true, they knew about a potential serious problem and did not inform me (or posted on their website). I do not think customs opened either of the two external boxes. My bet is on their techical department.

In sum, it can be done, but please choose another company. Alternatively, you can go to Europe/US and have the machine shipped to your hotel, or to a friend. It is too much money and it is not worth the risk.

Please note that DreamMapper does not work with DreamStation Go in the UK, only with the standard DreamStations.

Cpap.com is the sponsor of this forum and has a wide variety of equipment. Resmed however does not allow theirs to be sent out of the U.S. but as you're looking at a Phillips machine it's not relevant. However both work with Sleepyhead software, which is more comprehensive and used by most on this forum. I do think i†'s unfair to blame a dealer though for what Customs may do to a machine (if that's the case) and you might want to contact your customs office to discuss it.

In theory there is no VAT on medical equipment if your disabled you should be able to claim a refund HMRC recommend contacting National Import Reliefs Unit

I believe CPAP is covered as sleep apnea is a chronic illness

How to get the product VAT free
To get the product VAT free your disability has to qualify. For VAT purposes, you’re disabled or have a long-term illness if:

you have a physical or mental impairment that affects your ability to carry out everyday activities, for example blindness
you have a condition that’s treated as chronic sickness, like diabetes
you’re terminally ill
You don’t qualify if you’re elderly but able-bodied, or if you’re temporarily disabled. I am sure it was still much cheaper than buying in Europe.

The good news - for U.K. and EU residents - is that if you buy a CPAP in the US (or Canada), the fact that the household electricity is a different voltage and frequency is a non-issue. All CPAPs (except very old ones) will run equally on either.

The plug will have a different shape, but you can use a cheap adapter or change the plug.

BlackSpinner wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 17, 2016 5:26 pm

We used to get cheese from the Netherlands. A cousin of friends was a flight attendant and we would all pitch in a buy wheel of cheese that he would bring back in his luggage.
...

Why couldn't you just claim the cheese wheel as personal sporting equipment Only catch is it might require a side trip to Gloucester:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooper's_ ... g_and_Wake

Hi Chiquitin,

You have tagged on to an old thread, one that was last posted on (before you) 15 months ago.

I'm not quite sure what you mean by "As the box was clearly labelled ... [and] indicating the total amount paid, they only charged me VAT and a handling fee (£146)"

You would have break that sum down into:

(a) any duty charged on the goods - on goods valued between £135 and £630, that's at 2.5 per cent;
(b) the VAT charged on the shipping - shipping is a service, and thus incurs VAT;
(c) the VAT charged on the duty, (a); and
(d) whatever is meant by 'handling fee',

before you go about asking for any VAT refund. AFAIK, you won't get anywhere on the first three.

There is no VAT charged on sleep apnea equipment - provided you give a signed statement that:

(e) you are a patient with sleep apnea, and
(f) the machine is for your personal use, and not for re-sale.

As to your contract with CPAP Shop, you need to modify your thinking. It does not serve any business to send out sub-standard, damaged, or scratched equipment. For one thing, it's too much hassle. And for another, sellers of shop-worn or 'marked' goods usually draw attention to any scuffs or defects, and adjust their price accordingly.

I understand you had the expectation that you would receive brand-new, unmarked equipment, but the common sense view is that CPAP Shop are not at fault here.

And even if they were, how would you prove that CPAP Shop or their technical department were responsible for the damage? The goods passed through the hands of three other 'agencies' after the goods left them and got to you.

You might make a claim against HMRC for damage, since it is more likely that they opened the third box than it is that either of the two carriers did. But HMRC might make the same defence, citing 'other agencies'. And they might also claim exigency, or 'national security, innit?'.

And even if HMRC didn't defend the case, or were found against in court, what remedy do you expect? They could argue: the machine works, doesn't it? It's not inherently a work of art and intended to be put on display, is it? What loss have you incurred?

A British small-claims court might only give you a fraction of the cost, and probably not the cost of full replacement. And they might not even find for you at all.

Better to shrug, say c'est lavie, and move on.

Julie wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 18, 2018 4:39 am

Cpap.com is the sponsor of this forum and has a wide variety of equipment. Resmed however does not allow theirs to be sent out of the U.S. but as you're looking at a Phillips machine it's not relevant.

Respironics has now joined the ResMed band wagon for restricting cpap.com from shipping outside the US.

So it is now ResMed and Respironics that tell cpap.com that their products can't be shipped outside the US.
Machines, masks, replacement cushions/pillows or whatever with the brand name of either ....cpap.com can't ship outside the US.

A postscript, Chiquitin, lest you think me too harsh:

You could, of course, use the machine - and record it being used on a smart phone. And if it makes any unusual noises, that could go towards "it doesn't work as it should."

And you could pay a suitably-qualified engineer to inspect the unit - but that would cost. And where would you find one?

You could ask the service department at Philips Respironics UK to examine the unit. And that might give you some reassurance. At least, it won't conk out while on your travels.

You might even ask - if it truly bothers you - for said service department to take the innards out of the unit you got - the working parts - and put them in a new, unmarked plastic case. Which case you would have to pay for.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 18, 2018 11:44 am

Julie wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 18, 2018 4:39 am

Cpap.com is the sponsor of this forum and has a wide variety of equipment. Resmed however does not allow theirs to be sent out of the U.S. but as you're looking at a Phillips machine it's not relevant.

Respironics has now joined the ResMed band wagon for restricting cpap.com from shipping outside the US.

So it is now ResMed and Respironics that tell cpap.com that their products can't be shipped outside the US.
Machines, masks, replacement cushions/pillows or whatever with the brand name of either ....cpap.com can't ship outside the US.

There are ways around this imposed inability to ship outside of the USA.

As an Australian I use an Australia Post set up called 'Myshop'. They provide legitimate US addresses where US suppliers can send goods and then Auspost ship it on to me. The extra cost is usually about $25 but considering the saving I get by buying PAP equipment from the US it's a no brainer. I'd be surprised if the UK postal service doesn't offer the same facility.

Not sure about this, but what if you buy it in Canada rather than the U.S. It's part of the "Commonwealth," so perhaps there importation terms might be more favo(u)rable.

Just imported a DreamStation Go Auto CPAP from US (using one of the links recommended by Philips US).
The machine is not available in the UK. I wanted it for travelling as it does not have an external power block, etc.

Checked with Philips in different countries in Europe; only sells the CPAP (not the Auto), or does not export - although you could buy it and have it sent to your hotel, as it is still perfectly legal to move goods within the EU.
The machines were about £300 more expensive than in the US. Used NHS consultant letter with diagnosis to buy it. No problem. They said that their technical department would "program it" (?) and send it to me. $80 delivery charges.

Machine arrived promptly, two days in customs - as the packaged was clearly labelled as medical device with the price indicated on top, the package was not opened by customs; they only asked me to pay VAT for £140 - I completed a form and got the VAT back. Very easy.

The only problem I had was that the machine was scratched on one side - the vendor said it was customs, but I received the package (three nested taped boxes) and it was clear that it had not been opened after leaving the US.
They also said that this was a very common problem with customs - so if they knew about it I should have been informed before taking my money. Anyway, they offered to replace it if it was faulty, adding that I could have the same experience again!

I think that either it was scratched by their technical department, or I was sent a returned machine. I will never know.

I sent an email to Philips with a pic of the serial number, so I could register it as a 'Secondary Therapy Device' on the DreamMapper App, informing them that I lived in the UK. I used the email address suggested in the App. They agreed, no problem.

BTW, the machine is just fantastic.

I hope this story will inform others before importing - I would advise to buy it while you are either in Europe or in the US and have it sent to your hotel by express delivery (take your NHS letter with you). The machine is fine but the whole process left a very unpleasant aftertaste.

what remedy do you expect? They could argue: the machine works, doesn't it? It's not inherently a work of art and intended to be put on display, is it? What loss have you incurred?

A British small-claims court might only give you a fraction of the cost, and probably not the cost of full replacement. And they might not even find for you at all.

Better to shrug, say c'est lavie, and move on.
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All I wanted was to share my experience with others who could be thinking of importing a CPAP machine from the US. Many thanks.