US Imports

[LJM]

Some five years ago, Charlie posted an article about the import of a US spec power tool (https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/articles/im ... he-us.html); I've recently done much the same, having imported a fixed base router from the US, bought via ebay. Whilst broadly this is covering old ground, I thought I'd share a few details that may help others who are considering this option.

I was after a fixed and plunge base router. Few options are available here in the UK. The Dewalt is under-powered to be a do it all tool for me, leaving a few options from Bosch, or people report having bought PC over here, though I had no response from an apparent stockist. I liked the look of the Bosch 1600 and older 1617evs, but they are a lot of money over here, so I checked out ebay.

This presented a few options. First to go 2nd hand, new or reconditioned; second, which brand and third to import or not. I decided to remain open to all options, so considered a number of tools. Once it became clear the to tools can be so much cheaper from abroad, the US in particular, I narrowed my choices.

First decision was brand: it would be a brand with support and parts available here, leading me to Bosch.

The second and third decisions went hand in hand; I had to find a tool I liked, from a seller able to get it to my door for reasonable money. It seems tools are cheaper in the states any way, and the exchange rate is favorable at the current time, leaving delivery and customs costs to decide whether this was viable to import. Charlie was able to get his PC router through friends in the States, but I don't have any. In the states, that is...

However, I found an ebay seller called CPO Outlets (http://www.cpooutlets.com/), who would charge $25.50 for delivery to the UK, and would take care of the customs paperwork and charges for a further $49. CPO specialise in factory reconditioned tools, though sell new ones too. They had for sale a Bosch 1617evspk, fixed base and plunge router pack for $187.98, meaning I would pay roughly $250, delivered. That's £175 in round numbers! I have a transformer, so that doesn't come into the economics of it for me.

Delivery was efficient, the tool arriving about a week after payment. I'm very pleased with the tool, though that's a secondary issue, as I could easily have bought a brand new PC or Milwaukee kit for a little more money. Though one thing to note is that as a reconditioned tool, it's barely discernible from new. So, the important points are:

*You can save a bundle by importing power tools from the US
*You needn't wait ages to receive your tools
*Factory reconditioned is certainly a worthy option

I hope this proves useful to some of you. Let me know if I've omitted anything that may help your decision making.

 

[clivethecarpenter]

Nice one,

Been looking at importing a porter cable router from US

Cheers good find

 

[Gary Morris]

great post, I was looking at a US site tonight to see about importing an inflatable drum sander kit.

Gary

 

[Aden30mm]

One problem is how do you deal with any warranty claims on electrical goods, I don't want to give negativity bias but shipping across the pond presents difficulties and will add to the original cost. Also tool downtime presents can present difficulties shipping back stateside and then when the items has been rectified back home again (if they accept warranty claims under their T&C's).

Also if you want to use this tool on any construction site if it is not CE marked then you couldn't use it. I doubt if you could get it past a knowledgeable PAT tester. Consequently, my belief is that it could only be used in a hobby environment.

I take it that any spares could be sourced from UK, or would you have to go via the states.

The final analysis is if it works for you, then that's all that really counts.

Rgs

Aden

 

[carlb40]

One problem is how do you deal with any warranty claims on electrical goods, I don't want to give negativity bias but shipping across the pond presents difficulties and will add to the original cost. Also tool downtime presents can present difficulties shipping back stateside and then when the items has been rectified back home again (if they accept warranty claims under their T&C's).

Also if you want to use this tool on any construction site if it is not CE marked then you couldn't use it. I doubt if you could get it past a knowledgeable PAT tester. Consequently, my belief is that it could only be used in a hobby environment.

I take it that any spares could be sourced from UK, or would you have to go via the states.

The final analysis is if it works for you, then that's all that really counts.

Rgs

Aden

CPO outlets do specifically say any warranty is only valid in the usa. So once it leaves their shores it is out of warranty. I have used my imported tools on quite a few sites without any issues - so far

Spares - for porter cable will have to come from the states, as there are no importers for the porter cable/ delta tools anymore.

 

[Aden30mm]

If the site has a construction all risk insurance policy then if an accident or incident occurs then the insurance company could refuse to settle the claim if anywhere within the claim a non UK/ EU approved tool was used. CE marking indicates that it meets all EU harmonised standards, including the EH&SR (essential health and safety requirements). US equipment neither meets in UK the supply of machinery regulation or the EU Machinery Directive (which the SMR addresses), unless it has been verified and formally certified to UK & European standards.

I do not know what site you are working on but on most industrial construction sites, electrical tooling would have to pass a reception review where the suitably of equipment and compliance would be verified, prior to site induction and competence verification. Additionally, walk down checks by both the client and the Principal Contractor on work location should identify non compliance. On sites I have been involved in if anyone was using non compliant equipment they would be removed from site.

Finally, your own insurance may allow for the insurers to fail to meet any claim or give them wriggle room if non approved tooling is part of the domino effect of an accident or incident. Not a nice place to be as any claims could be picked up by you.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Yet another reason for leaving the e.u.?

 

[Shrubby]

Not really, American industrial safety standards are bizarre often due to lobbying from industry
I'd much rather work with European standards - HSE, BG-Holz, BG-Bau, SUVA etc

Matt

 

[Aden30mm]

You have to consider that many of these safety related requirements are preordained within British Standards. The EU has used British safety processes and procedures and incorporated them in EU directives. Consequently, it potentially is the case that in safety related regulations and processes from the UK has been one of the main drivers within the community.