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General => General Technical Chat => Topic started by: Earendil on October 02, 2017, 02:43:42 pm

Title: Considerations when moving test equipment to the UK
Post by: Earendil on October 02, 2017, 02:43:42 pm
I will move to the UK for a job from Hungary, and I'd like to take my test equipment with me.
I have lots of RF stuff: oscilloscopes, network analyzer, siggens, even a power amplifier (75W).
Most of these are older equipment, the majority are under 6Ghz, though I also have 20Ghz pulse gen, sampling scope and power meters.

A moving company will deal with relocating my stuff in a container. Naturally, I don't wish to pay any taxes. I own these privately, I've already paid VAT when I purchased these.

Is there any issue with customs or other regulations that I should watch out for?
Title: Re: Considerations when moving test equipment to the UK
Post by: mikeselectricstuff on October 02, 2017, 03:13:54 pm
Hungary is in the EU so no customs issues ( for now!)
Title: Re: Considerations when moving test equipment to the UK
Post by: Earendil on October 02, 2017, 03:22:06 pm
The UK is not in the Schengen zone though.

And what about the RF stuff? Is there any law about owning such equipment. I know for example that according to Ofcom one is not officially allowed to listen on certain frequencies. We might also have similar regulation in Hungary but here the enforcement is not very strict.
Title: Re: Considerations when moving test equipment to the UK
Post by: richard.cs on October 02, 2017, 03:39:46 pm
There is no UK law that relates to owning equipment that could be used for listening, but but using it on certain frequencies would be in contravention of the wireless telegraphy act (although effectively never enforced anyway).

Not sure about the customs side, but I would be most concerned about damage in transit and ensuring adequate insurance cover.
Title: Re: Considerations when moving test equipment to the UK
Post by: jc101 on October 03, 2017, 06:01:20 pm
I've shipped to Hungary from the UK and received stuff too, no customs paperwork required at all.  Just handed the package over to the driver and job done.  Assuming they will be driving the container over then should just be able to drive door to door with only a passport check for the driver(s).

The Schengen zone is for passport control and movement of people, not goods.
Title: Re: Considerations when moving test equipment to the UK
Post by: KJDS on October 04, 2017, 08:06:42 pm
Quote from: Earendil on October 02, 2017, 03:22:06 pm
The UK is not in the Schengen zone though.

And what about the RF stuff? Is there any law about owning such equipment. I know for example that according to Ofcom one is not officially allowed to listen on certain frequencies. We might also have similar regulation in Hungary but here the enforcement is not very strict.

There are no issues whatsoever with bringing things in or owning RF equipment.
Title: Re: Considerations when moving test equipment to the UK
Post by: Galenbo on October 05, 2017, 03:11:44 pm
Quote from: Earendil on October 02, 2017, 02:43:42 pm
...A moving company will deal with relocating my stuff in a container...
This makes me really scared...