Hi, Barry…
I knew I was likely to have to pay import duty on the alloy wheel, as I did not know at the outset it was zero rated until later…but even paying 15% import duty would still have saved me money… later I found a list on the HMRC website that gives further codes for the rate of import duty applicable, but only because the code was shown on the import paperwork…and it was zero rated… I know the codes are listed on their web sites, but as you say, where is indeed the question…lol…
I guess you could phone the docks and ask about collection, depending on how heavy your tool is, and how it is packed will be the issue…will it come in a wooden crate of cardboard box, and will it arrive, as most things do, within a sea-going container together with a load of other items all packed in together…which is the most likely scenario… if so the containers are usually taken off the dock into a store and unpacked, and you would collect from there…
I did not have this problem, as I had the alloy wheel shipped via the US postal service direct to my home address, so I avoided having to mess about with docks…won’t your supplier offer this?..you would pay for it of course, but it’s a lot less hassle I would think than trying to collect it at a dock yourself…
I should imagine dock storage would be by the day (per 24 hours) whilst awaiting collection, after they notify you it’s ready for collection ( I presume), but like you say, you still have to get transport arranged, which could take another 24 hours…
If you are talking about a big panel saw, I guess you might get it in the back of a long wheel base van, I think they take about 1.5 tonnes (1500 kilos) max, but you might need help to load and unload, unless they can load by FLT…then it’s just a matter of unloading and getting it into your shop…
And yes, New York is east coast…lol…I decided to buy here to avoid the additional costs of shipping across the US as well…