Sending a mirror to France for refigure, post-Brexit, AAARGGGHHHHH!!!!!!

[happylimpet]

Hi folks,

 

My 16" f4 mirror is originally an OOUK but it was heavily, heavily overcorrected (unusable for high powers). Another story.

I got it refigured in the UK, and its now much better. But still a long way from perfect in terms of overall figure and surface roughness.

Ive arranged for Franck Griere of Mirro-sphere to refigure. This is brilliant, he's widely considered the best in Europe. John Nichol in the UK is also highly thought of but he gets mirrors recoated at OOUK.  Also Mirro-Sphere has a better rep, I do high-res planetary stuff, and i think i deserve the best for the hobby that dominates my life.

 

Pre Brexit I'd have just couriered it out to him and he'd have sent it back, but obviously things are much more complicated and expensive now.

I know I'll be liable for duty of some kind as its classed as export and re-import, as well as duty on repair costs. Or taxes, whatever. Money. But the HMRC webpages are completely unintelligible. I just dont know where to start.

A large part of me wants to just ship it with a value of £5 and see what happens. But I dont want to get stitched up.

Any ideas/help would be gratefully received. I'd love to get it back in time for Venus thermal imaging in September!

 

Cheers

 

Nick

[Piero]

I imagine that you will be charged based on the cost of service he declares.

Yes, what we got is an expensive pseudo-freedom.

[Astroscot2]

You could ask your courier to declare the goods under OPR - Outward Processing Relief,  when the mirror is returned to the UK you should only be liable to may Duty and Tax on the work done to the mirror.

Mark

[Gfamily]

Is it worth having a couple of short breaks to France - dropping it off on the first one, and picking it up a week or two later? 

You're already very convenient for ferries to Caen or Le Havre.  It's about 6 hours from either to Nevers, so doable with 1 overnight stop.  

[happylimpet]

Thanks for replies so far all - and yes I have been considering driving it out there - at least for delivery! We have friends in Lyons, just 3hrs further down.....

The cost of ferry+fuel isnt hugely bigger than courier, and way less hassle.....

[Piero]

6 minutes ago, happylimpet said:

Thanks for replies so far all - and yes I have been considering driving it out there - at least for delivery! We have friends in Lyons, just 3hrs further down.....

The cost of ferry+fuel isnt hugely bigger than courier, and way less hassle.....

And if stopped, you could just say that you took your telescope under darker skies!  

[Gfamily]

17 minutes ago, happylimpet said:

Thanks for replies so far all - and yes I have been considering driving it out there - at least for delivery! We have friends in Lyons, just 3hrs further down.....

The cost of ferry+fuel isnt hugely bigger than courier, and way less hassle.....

That's certainly handy were you to want to buy from one of the European astro dealers - arrange delivery to your friends, and pick them up and bring them back to UK as part of your personal allowance.