Kelston Actuation regularly conducts business with companies located in the United States of America. Our aim is to make trade with US firms as simple and pain-free as possible by being upfront about lead times, exchange rates, and potential charges. We understand that this is often case or customer specific but this page highlights some general information regarding business with us.
At the end of the day, your focus should be on getting the right product, not worrying about logistics.
We happily accept payment in USD as well as GBP and EUR. If you require quotations in either one of these currencies, please let us know and our sales team will accommodate.
Import taxes or duties can often be a taboo subject with international trade as there are many different standards and potential fees to pay. As complicated as this subject can be, we don’t believe it has to be for our customers. If you have any specific questions regarding US import laws, or our delivery preferences then please do get in touch. Some basic guidelines for US firms are outlined below.
We will always aim to reduce our lead times where possible and keep our customers informed regarding updates with their orders. If we can get you your goods quicker, then we will. Naturally, lead times for international trade can be extrapolated due to shipping and customs. We manage expectation when quoting for delivery, making it clear when to expect your goods, subject to customs. Where possible we aim to reduce transit times and minimise our carbon footprint.
For standard orders below a certain size and weight we use FedEx International (formerly TNT) as our primary courier service. For larger products and custom builds, it is sometimes necessary to use dedicated couriers, with the option for customers to arrange collection themselves.
In an ever-changing global market, tracking exchange rates and understanding additional costs from banks and other sources can be difficult. We will always use the best possible rates to accommodate both parties at the time of quotation to ensure a fair exchange. Due to the volatility of currency, our international quotes are valid for a shorter amount of time than our base GBP quotes.
As most of our business is between the UK, the US, and Europe, some specific guidelines for these areas are outlined below. Please note this page is a guide only and will not be relevant to all parties. it is recommended that you confirm any information from this page with your relevant governing body at the time of interest.
We will aim to provide you with a shipping invoice prior to delivery, to allow you the most amount of time possible to pay import fees and clear customs efficiently.
Minimum threshold for import duty is $800. Goods valued below this are not subject to duty. Goods valued above this are subject to an import duty rate as dictated by the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS).
All goods are classified as either Formal or Informal entries:
Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) must be paid on all entries:
The general HST Codes and rates for our products:
If you would like an estimated quote for shipping of any of our products, then please notify our sales team when requesting a quote. The carriage and packaging amount is subject to change due to the customisability of our products, which can alter the size and weight of shipped goods.
As new customer our standard payment terms are Pro-Forma Invoice, with payment being required before shipment of goods. We do also offer the ability to pay using Credit Card through World Pay. You also have the option to apply for an account with us with 30 day payment terms, after your first order.
Size and weight of packaged goods can be hard to calculate due to the custom nature of our products. Consequently, we typically add shipping and packaging charges to your invoice once these entities are clarified. It is often possible to estimate the cost of a shipment prior to this if required. Please ask our sales team when requesting a quote if your require this.
This is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Please speak to your sales contact about your requirements.
Due to the unique and customised nature of each order that is accepted, our lead times can vary. For standard products on our website, we aim to deliver between 2-6 weeks from receipt of order, inclusive of shipping. This is dependent on order size and quantity, as well as customs clearance for international orders. If timeframe is critical to your application, then we will do our utmost to accommodate.
Our technical sales team are on hand from 07:30-17:00 (GMT) Mon-Fri and can be reached by email at: sales@kelstonactuation.com From here, one of our team will address your questions personally.
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