All of that is largely irrelevant unfortunately. What was the declared value of the equipment when posted?
Neil Sent from my iPhone > On 20 Jan 2014, at 13:41, "Emma Frost" <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Hello all, > > So I have a strange question but am hopeful that someone on here might be > able to help... > > We (as in the Internet Society) are trying to donate some routers to ASREN > and WACREN (research education networks for the Arab States and West and > Central Africa). > > The routers were donated to us by one of our Organisation Members in the US. > The first PoP is going in at London so we shipped the equipment to the UK > from the US, before this we received clearance from the US Dept of Commerce > (no licenses needed), but now the equipment is sitting in customs in the UK. > > UK customs have said that unless ASREN and WACREN pay VAT for the equipment > or present a VAT exempt certificate the routers will be sent back to the US. > > The data centre involved has suggested that we pay the VAT and use an > organisation to reclaim the VAT, that organisation then takes 27% of the > money for their fees - so that's not a possibility for us. > > So we're sort of at an impasse now and don't know how to help get the > equipment released and I guess I was hoping there might be someone on here > who has experienced anything similar to this and could offer some advice? > > To conclude the equipment is donated, for non commercial use and is being > donated to not-for-profit organisations. There should be a solution! > > Oh and we have until Friday. So any help much appreciated! > > Cheers, > Emma >
