Hello Jason,
 
The UKRVForum has been invaluable for people wishing to share freight costs/containers etc. I received my own shipment yesterday having organised a 'spring' container share!!!
 
In a week or so, I will publish a follow up of our experience for anyone wishing to undertake a similar venture. In any case, you must have someone who has either done it before, or who wishes to 'own' the project for the duration, as there are often many conflicting interests that must be considered for the entire group, not least of which is dealing with Van's themselves!
 
Big Misters are fully conversant with the home builders needs and make the clearance process in the UK a breeze, but there are so many extra cost's that are imposed by various tax collectors it's easier for JW to deal with it with his 'kid' gloves!
 
Happy for you to call me if you wish.
 
Regards David
 
 
 

My thoughts are this I'd like to ship an complete RV12 airframe and maybe an avionics kit. I would imagine you could source a Rotax directly from the EU cheaper than shipping one from Vans in the States?  
 
As for time frame I've a major change in my work pattern early next year moving from working 10am-1pm now to 10pm-1am so will have loads of time in the day to build and longest lead times appear to be 12-14 weeks according to the Vans site so would imagine February / March would be realistic if an order was placed sooner rather than later.

Jason,
 
I think the VAT rate will be charged at the rate on the day it arrives on UK soil. From my experience Vans prices are very competive (due to their purchase volumes), so you may find your engine is cheaper from them.
However if you place and order with Vans before their January price review in the past they have fixed the price even if you items do not ship until much later.
 
Tim

Just had a good discussion with Jon at Big Shippers and David about his group container and have a better idea of price of shipping an RV12 to the UK...... It seems rather involved with a few hidden costs along the way but I asked for ball park figures only and here's what I discovered for my pricing exercise:
 
APPROX PRICES ONLY FOR COSTING ONLY
 
£3,000 solo container with just your kit it only in it (vat would be charged on the contents of the container and the shipping cost and if in the UK after December 31st at 17.5%)
 
Shared container divide the cost by the number of people ordering and space used as all costs are based on cubic meter used unless things are over 1,000KG's but if 3 people placed orders for kits I would say split the cost 3 ways so figure £1,000 for shipping plus vat on your bit of the shipment. Clearly figures would reduce if more was added to the container but if this is the chosen route a firm deadline would need to be agreed for last orders as it takes 31 days to arrive in the UK and non refundable deposits based on space used would have to be taken as a sign of commitment  
 
Consolidated container (basically finding space in a container already coming to the UK) for an RV12 kit approx £1,800 - £2,000 plus vat on contents value and shipping charge. This involves a lorry collecting kits from Vans and driving them to Portland to be loaded onto a ship then onto the UK
 
Clearly transport to your base in the UK would need to be considered either by forwarder or white van / lorry from Felixstowe, London or Liverpool (although it costs more to ship here) and comes out approx £27 per cubic meter
 
Hope this helps and feel free to add any questions here or email me directly  
 
Jason

Quote from James_Claridge on 08.12.2009 at 13:33:45:

 
Hello James
 
I've ordered my RV12 kit this afternoon - BIG STEP!
 
My initial bit of the kit will be the empennage, fixing kit and builders tool kit. I am having this Air Freighted to Manchester Airport as I'd like something to get my teeth into in the New Year and the plan is to have the rest shipped via the sea when ready in late February or early March, this could come via Big Misters in a group container or I've via a consolidated shipment from Vans (to be fair the quotes they have offered seem pretty good). I guess it depends on just how much we could get in a container as I'm following the first kit with wings and fuselage and will call off the rest when ready and funds allow.
 
Hope that helps  
 
Jason
 

David these are my approx prices from Van's for consolidated shipping.
 
'Jason, I have only received the sea quotes as below.  The entire kit less powerplant and avionics would cost approximately $692 to Manchester. With the powerplant and avionics, the cost would be approximately $1053. Without the receipt of my air quotes, I would guess about $700 for the empenage, $1200 for the wings, $500 for the fuselage, and about $800 for each the finish kit and powerplant kits.'  
 
Thanks for all your advice David and I will push Van's to agree prices remain static until shipping.
 
Jason

Quote from Jason King on 16.11.2009 at 22:04:44:

 
Keep me posted if it does come to pass as I will be interested if I make enough progress with my empennage.
 
Cheers
Ian