Importing a machine

[YoungFarmerBen]

Hi have any of you guys ever imported a machine from the USA ? Any pitfalls to watch out for ,Import tax etc. The machine in question would need a 20ft container.

 

[Spencer]

What is it?

 

[Roger Perry]

Just hire a forwarding agent.........and then pay the bill.......simple.

 

[Goggles]

If it’s a tractor, you may have trouble finding a dealer to service it etc, they sometimes get grumpy if they missed the sale.

 

[dudders]

I'm doing the same at the moment, a sawmill from Alabama. There will be import duty to pay. Look up the code on the gov. website. The code for general machinery is 84/36/801000 - start with that. If that's your code, duty will be 1.7% of total costs: purchase + tax + shipping to the UK + insurance. Then there's VAT - 20% on the previous amount plus the import duty. You gotta laugh, you're paying tax on tax!

The bigger problem though is the CE mark. Any machine coming into Europe, including the UK still, must have this mark, which certifies that it meets safety standards. If you're having to import the thing yourself, it probably won't, and the fuss around getting it done will be big bucks. I'm at the moment waiting to hear back from the manufacturer on this. If there's no CE mark, I'll have to see if the American OHSA standard - same thing - is acceptable here.

 

[onesiedale]

Just hire a forwarding agent.........and then pay the bill.......simple.

You will definitely need a forwarding agent at this end simply to bring stuff in through customs.
It is easy and relatively simple. Speak to a couple of agents, and decide who sounds most helpful/value for money then follow their guidance to bring your kit in

 

[Bloders]

I'm doing the same at the moment, a sawmill from Alabama. There will be import duty to pay. Look up the code on the gov. website. The code for general machinery is 84/36/801000 - start with that. If that's your code, duty will be 1.7% of total costs: purchase + tax + shipping to the UK + insurance. Then there's VAT - 20% on the previous amount plus the import duty. You gotta laugh, you're paying tax on tax!

The bigger problem though is the CE mark. Any machine coming into Europe, including the UK still, must have this mark, which certifies that it meets safety standards. If you're having to import the thing yourself, it probably won't, and the fuss around getting it done will be big bucks. I'm at the moment waiting to hear back from the manufacturer on this. If there's no CE mark, I'll have to see if the American OHSA standard - same thing - is acceptable here.

CE mark it yourself, using the OHSA as the basis. Not entiry straightforward but not as complex as it could be.
(first assess the differences between the machinery directive and the OHSA. As it is a sawmill, does the manufacturer self certify it or is an independant body required (Notified Body))

 

[dudders]

CE mark it yourself, using the OHSA as the basis. Not entiry straightforward but not as complex as it could be.
(first assess the differences between the machinery directive and the OHSA. As it is a sawmill, does the manufacturer self certify it or is an independant body required (Notified Body))

The manufacturer is not willing to CE mark it. So it would be up to me. I'm OK with that, except that I want to be sure it won't get locked up at the docks for lack of it! The HSE website says it must be marked 'before being put to use', so that should allow me to bring it home. But all I need is one over-zealous Jobsworth with access to some tighter rule in a place I haven't looked, and things will get very difficult.

I've put out a feeler for a freight forwarder to give an opinion. A Notified Body is required, so I've asked one of them, too. A safety professional working here told me just to stick a CE label on it...

 

[Bloders]

The manufacturer is not willing to CE mark it. So it would be up to me. I'm OK with that, except that I want to be sure it won't get locked up at the docks for lack of it! The HSE website says it must be marked 'before being put to use', so that should allow me to bring it home. But all I need is one over-zealous Jobsworth with access to some tighter rule in a place I haven't looked, and things will get very difficult.

I've put out a feeler for a freight forwarder to give an opinion. A Notified Body is required, so I've asked one of them, too. A safety professional working here told me just to stick a CE label on it...

Interesting.
Lots of people do just "put a CE mark on it", i come across this in my job. if anything EVER goes wrong, it will be trouble then. your gamble.

What standard does it need CE marking to? Im also interested in what NoBo youve asked? (be grateful if you oculd PM the details please)
Im doing a project at the moment for MEWP and have to use a differnt NoBo to ourselves for EN280 certification activity.

 

[dudders]

Interesting.
Lots of people do just "put a CE mark on it", i come across this in my job. if anything EVER goes wrong, it will be trouble then. your gamble.

What standard does it need CE marking to? Im also interested in what NoBo youve asked? (be grateful if you oculd PM the details please)
Im doing a project at the moment for MEWP and have to use a differnt NoBo to ourselves for EN280 certification activity.

I messaged one of the bodies on the EU list. Haven't yet heard back, and can't now remember which one it was coz I used their online contact form...
The list is a lottery really, in that it's just a list of company names. It would help a lot if each entry was accompanied by a note as to their speciality.

Today I've fired off another contact form, this time to CEMarking.net. They look promising, as this is all they do. Meantime a freight forwarder has said they'll look after the whole transport process.

 

[onesiedale]

Does anything being imported HAVE to be CE marked?

 

[Highland Mule]

Does anything being imported HAVE to be CE marked?

Pretty much any machine (defined as something with at least one moving part, but not unsually including hand tools - although some of those are). I'm a bit out of touch with the rules (@Bloders is probably better for a definitive answer), but almost anything since early 1990s needs to be. There are exceptions, but they're things that have more specific requirements not covered by the general rules.

 

[Montexy]

If it's just a CE mark needed you will be lucky and get off lightly costwise if it comes under a EN machinery directive then you will need a test certificate via one of the test houses like TUV/GS and the costs will be eye watering expensive, best get good advice before committing to buy so you don't end up with anything stuck in customs.

 

[Bloders]

If it's just a CE mark needed you will be lucky and get off lightly costwise if it comes under a EN machinery directive then you will need a test certificate via one of the test houses like TUV/GS and the costs will be eye watering expensive, best get good advice before committing to buy so you don't end up with anything stuck in customs.

dont always need to be tested - depends exactly what it is.
I agree though, it can get expensive and potentially impossible to address

 

[335d]

As you say, it should be CE marked before putting into use.

CE marking - Equipment and machinery

www.hse.gov.uk

if it’s a machine it will have to conform to the relevant machinery standard. HSE website has good guidance on most things.

American safety guards and systems tended to not be up to the same standard as EU standards, and seemed to use what we once called common sense.

you also need to remember that a CE mark does not mean it’s save. You still need to do a PUWER assessment, and general risk assessment. Normally a simple procedure and takes into account the environment in where the machine is placed,etc etc.

The money will be in upgrading any safety systems if required, and the documentation.
If it is a bespoke piece of equipment not available in the UK, and you will be providing employment (diversification), the government may provide some financial assistance.

 

[betternextyear]

All the crap i buy from China on ebay is CE marked and quite a a few electrical items have been dangerous straight out of the box, usually clones of Omron electrical controllers. I am guessing they just make their own paperwork up.

 

[335d]

All the crap i buy from China on ebay is CE marked and quite a a few electrical items have been dangerous straight out of the box, usually clones of Omron electrical controllers. I am guessing they just make their own paperwork up.

that’s just a symbol that happens to look like the CE mark, but means Chinese Engineered.