Anyone in the UK interested in a bulk order from centraltrade?

[dc2k08]

DC2K08, do you have any specific info about risk of liquids getting banned? You've got me a bit worried there. I didn't actually ask about that, which I probably should have done.

no just what pillbox and rustylug are saying about chip compliance and trading standards on the other thread. the liquid can be banned in an instant though judging by what denmark and mexico were able to do. pillbox was saying that come 2009 the EU's tougher standards will be implemented. He's trying his best to comply so he's all set. not sure how any of it would affect a bulk order in jan for us.

The current rates of duty are 3.7% for e-cigs which would include atomisers and batteries as well, rate for cartridges and liquid is 6.5%

where did you get these figures from ? Did you find out what the Taric code is for the atts and batts ? I've been scratching my head.

 

[Tetsab]

I'll swap you DC.

Here's the whole horrible story. Remember I said the previous post was the short version? I spent Thurday afternoon going thru' HMRC's website, found out about C88 forms and postal imports - value has to be less than £2k for any of the following to apply, over £2k and it is different, downloaded their Guide to Importing & Exporting info pack, read it, went to the Businesslink.gov.uk website to try to look up the Tariff Classification Codes which was what the info pack said you needed to complete the C88 form (nothing mentioned about TARIC codes), went blind, phoned the HMRC National Advice Service, got given the phone number of the Classification Department (yes, they have a whole department advising about this), missed them 'cos they finish at 5pm.

Phoned the Classification Dept on Friday, spoke to a very pleasant & helpful lady called Alice - the one who knew what an e-cig was - who told me they'd had quite a few enquiries about e-cigs, then gave me the codes: E-cigs 8543709099 (that's got to include batteries & atomisers - apart from the carts what else IS an e-cig?) and cartridges or the liquid 3824909799, and told me about the possibility of these codes changing because EU/Brussels are looking at them. Alice couldn't give me the duty rates so she transferred me back to the National Advice Service and they gave me the duty rates for each code after asking where they would be coming from. He also explained about getting contacted by Royal Mail when your package arrives, they send you the C88 form, you fill it in and (not too clear on this) return it to them then either Royal Mail/Parcelforce deliver it & demand money with menaces or (more likely) you have to go and collect it, paying before you get to take it away. I did actually check the codes on the Businesslink site as you can look them up there for the duty rates as well (once you've got them - trust me, you'd never find them on your own) and it said the same thing, 3.7% and 6.5% as the liquid is not pharmaceutical.

Reinforcing what Bertrand's experience proves, the HMRC site was fairly emphatic about getting your supplier to provide an ACCURATE desription of the contents on their documents to avoid delays and possible seizure.

Remember I said I'd swap you? In return, can you let me have a link to the 'other thread' about chip compliance (whatever that is) and Trading Standards? I think you're getting the best of this deal!

 

[dc2k08]

I think I am too, yeah that's a lot of effort I won't have to bother with. I tried once but was getting too many unanswered mails/calls and diversions. Nice one mate!

Here are the two threads where pillbox mentions the new regs:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...nly-months-till-their-products-suspended.html
and recently:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-stateside-www-totallywicked-eliquid-com.html

When i punch that number for the liquid into the taric web-site and look at the restrictions, it gives me a few. can anyone make anything of them or if their important ?

 

[freddo]

Just to tell you guys i think i'm gonna opt out of the bulk order an go it alone. I'm gonna get a few 1.2kg VERY soon and if one other person wants to join me who wants liquid too, we can swap flavours. Please contact me asap if you want in.

Freddo

 

[turbojunk]

Just to tell you guys i think i'm gonna opt out of the bulk order an go it alone. I'm gonna get a few 1.2kg VERY soon and if one other person wants to join me who wants liquid too, we can swap flavours. Please contact me asap if you want in.

Freddo

That's a shame. I'm keen to take part in a group buy, but don't have the know-how or the time to organise one.

Out of interest, what does 1.2kg equate to in ml?

Kev

 

[dc2k08]

about 1200ml

 

[freddo]

anyone interested?

 

[turbojunk]

Wow. So if my maths is correct, a 1.2litre/kg bottle, with shipping +25% duty would cost somewhere in the region of £135GBP, as opposed to £750-£800 for the equivalent 40 x 30ml bottles from UK sellers.

Does that sound right?

 

[dc2k08]

that's about the deal alright turbo.

Freddo, i might be interested. i'm presuming you're not going to do anything till after the weekend right ? and those 8 flavours you have - are they the only ones they offer or are there more ? (sorry for being lazy)

I'm looking to find the RY flavour aka riskee yuice and i don't know what else (perhaps virginia ?). I've taken a shine to it.

 

[turbojunk]

If that's the case, I'm in.

Looking at getting a bottle of 555 in the highest nic content.

Kev

 

[freddo]

they have over 47 flavours and yes they do have Ry04 and virginia. I think i am getting mint and coffee. would you like to swap some?

I can wait till the end of the week, but no later than that. Cheers

 

[freddo]

turbojunk, you have to order more than one bottlle

 

[dc2k08]

yeah freddo, i would be on for swapsies. i might like to try your 8 sample pack first as some of those flavours i have not tried like the hilton. if you are doing at the end of next week, it might work out.

I thought we could order just one as the minimum order is 2 right? and if we're doing it in bulk...
Someone ordering 2 could do it on their own no? unless they wanted to mix and match.

I'm also going to avoid menthol on account of pillbox finding bad stuff in the one he had analysed. could be dodgy.

 

[freddo]

if you buy with me you can order just one, that is fine because i have already reached minimum order rate. If you want a sample pack gimme a PM there 21.99 free shipping.

I wanna make this order very soon as i am running a bit low on juice, so the sooner the better mate. Cheers

 

[turbojunk]

Edited s the question asked has been answered above

 

[turbojunk]

Freddo - I'll buy with you. A bottle of 555 at the highest nic content please, 28mg, i think.

Also in for swapsies.

Kev

 

[SuziQ]

coffee freddo??? Oh boy do we share the same tastes

 

[Tetsab]

Freddo, a quick post for you - have you considered the possible merits of finding out whether Royal Smokers 'Virgin' liquid may be an unflavoured juice?

Kate and others (there is a poll) have expressed interest in this before. That could be a useful thing to think about ordering.

Also, I do hope you haven't been put off this enterprise by my previous posts - that was never my intention. I'm just too used to playing devil's advocate with small businesses in the past. I'm a book-keeper/administration specialist, sounds a bit mundane but I do work to audit standard and director level. I just know too much about 'How to fall flat on your face in small business'.

I'd be perfectly willing to chat on the phone about some of the pitfalls and risks if you would like, send me a PM and I'll return one with my number. First consultation is free, after that I charge!

 

[Tetsab]

When i punch that number for the liquid into the taric web-site and look at the restrictions, it gives me a few. can anyone make anything of them or if their important ?

Ye gods, DC, you're trying to make my eyes drop out! Thankfully I gave up and went to bed last night before following those links (thanx, BTW). I sincerely don't want to put people off looking for a bargain, but it really should make them realise that there genuinely ARE reasons why suppliers don't sell their stuff any cheaper than they do. This might be a niche market at present but it is complex if you are 'playing the game' honestly as well as fiercely competitive.

I'm seriously considering starting a thread 'In defence of our poor beleaguered genuine suppliers'. I don't work for any of them but I do understand about the problems of running businesses so have a lot of sympathy and respect for what they do.

I followed the link to the TARIC site, explored, and gave myself some more eyestrain and brainache. Came to a rough conclusion; this is my personal interpretation of course.

It looked to me as if the restrictions referred to items which attract a 'TARIC Additional code' and contain certain specific ingredients. I don't know about something referred to as 'LPS/SPX' but all the other things were stuff I'm reasonably sure are not in any e-liquids I've seen ingredients for. If your import DOES contain those things you (as the importer) have to provide an L135 Certificate/Licence/Document - whatever that is. If you don't, it doesn't get in at all. 'No entry into free circulation'. Probably then gets shipped back to point of origin - quite likely at your expense. So I THINK that means those restrictions don't apply to e-liquid as such.

I'd also say that the helpful Alice (see earlier post) made no mention of these additional codes and I think she would have as she understood what I was talking about. The Classification Code she gave me for the e-liquid is essentially a 'miscellaneous' code for something they have't worked out what to do about yet. Hence it is expected to change once the powers-that-be HAVE decided what to do about it.

Presumably they could reclassify it in amongst the 'Poisons' grouping along with pesticides etc or might create a new classification all of its own, complete with relevant specific 'restrictions'.

Overall, this is why people and businesses use Shipping Agents, indeed it is the reason Shipping Agents exist. It is their job to work out what all this means for any given consignment and make sure you know what certificates, licences and documents you will need to get it successfully into the country.

Does anyone in the forum work in shipping? They could probably put us all straight and tell me if I'm talking bo**ocks. I'm a big girl, I can take it. Won't be too much of a shock - it has happened before!

 

[dc2k08]

Freddo, a quick post for you - have you considered the possible merits of finding out whether Royal Smokers 'Virgin' liquid may be an unflavoured juice?

anyone ever find out about this ? cause i would be game. think about it - a litre of flavourless e-liquid and a set of lor anne or bickfords - you'ld be good to go for quite a while.