question for British colleagues

[Robin Leech]

There must have been a misunderstanding somewhere.  I have never yet had a
customs charge
of any kind in over 35 years of sending any museum critters.  I have sent,
and had materials returned from USA, Mexico, UK, Germany, France, Israel,
Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Poland, and a few others.    I use the
following kinds of labels:
"Zoological specimens for Scientific Study.  No Commercial Value."
or
"Museum Specimens being returned to owner.  No Commerical Value."

There are many variants on this, but the effect is the same.  Perhaps you
hit a green clerk who had
never handled such material before.  Anyway.  Persist.  If nothing else, set
the record straight where
you sent the materials from so that you will not have problems in the
future.

Robin Leech, Edmonton, Alberta.

-----Original Message-----
From: Allison Anderson <aaa at MAIL.UTEXAS.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list TAXACOM <TAXACOM at CMSA.BERKELEY.EDU>
Date: Saturday, March 13, 1999 12:11 PM
Subject: question for British colleagues


>Hello,
>
>I need some help/advice from somebody in the UK.  I recently sent 2
>shipments of preserved specimens to museums in England, and my shipper
>(Airborne Express) charged me Import VAT and something called "Deferment
>Use" for the insured amount.  The shipping label and package were clearly
>marked "Preserved Scientific Specimens--No Commercial Value."  My question
>is, aren't scientific specimens exempt from such import duties?
>
>If someone could send me the citation for the rule or regulation, I'd be
>very grateful.  For example, a US import could claim exemption under the
>U.S. Customs Harmonized Tariff Schedule subchapter 9810.00.70, which
>specifies that wild animals sent between scientific institutions for
>scientific use are duty-free.
>
>Thanks in advance,
>Allison Anderson
>
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
>-
>Allison Anderson
>Collection Manager, Texas Natural History Collection
>Texas Memorial Museum, University of Texas
>PRC 176/10100 N. Burnet Rd.
>Austin, Texas 78758 USA
>aaa at mail.utexas.edu
>(512) 471-8845
>