FamilyTreeDNA DNA day sale until 25th - do the kits attract customs VAT + duty?

[melba_schmelba]

I was thinking of getting one or maybe two FTDNA kits to study my YDNA (paternal) and MTDNA (maternal) lines in more depth, and it seems FamilyTreeDNA have a sale on until 25th April
https://www.familytreedna.com/
https://twitter.com/familytreedna

The MTDNA kit is $139 reduced from $159
the YDNA Y37 is $99 reduced from $119
the YDNA Y111 is $199 reduced from $249
the YDNA Big Y-700 is $379 reduced from $449

international post is about $10 for the first kit, then $5 for each additional. Comparing to buying an FTDNA kit from the UK site, thegenealogist, priced in pounds £ it seems significant savings could be made

https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/dna/products.php#ydna

So comparing the MTDNA kit on its own, taking into account a conversion charge, the US one is about £110 including postage, and the UK one £150. However, if it attracts at least VAT on import and a post office charge, that could bring it to £140, and perhaps with the more expensive kits it could attract import duty? Does anyone have experience importing FTDNA kits and can confirm whether they have been charged extra?

[melba_schmelba]

Y-DNA Y111 is £280 from thegenealogist vs about £153 with the current FTDNA discount. If that attracted VAT + post office/DHL handling charge of £11, then say £10 import duty, that would be about £203, so still a lot less than thegenealogist's current offer.
    I enquired with them about the return postage but it is not included from either company so would probably add another £7 or more depending on tracking included or not. Obviously if you get more than one kit you can send them back together.

UPDATE: FTDNA sale is now until the 26th

[melba_schmelba]

Just a reminder that this is the last day of the sale (officially ends 11:59PM PDT i.e. 7:59AM BST tomorrow morning) .

[melba_schmelba]

MTDNA and FamilyFinder tests back on sale for Mother's Day until May 9th

https://www.familytreedna.com/products/mt-dna
https://www.familytreedna.com/products/family-finder

[melba_schmelba]

The answer is, they do not ! Because the service (analysis of the DNA) is sold & carried out in the USA, the actual value of the plastic and cardboard box by which you send your test in is negligible. Sale still on until 9th May for MTDNA and Family Finder.

[melba_schmelba]

Last day of annual sale again today if you are interested in an in depth Y-DNA (paternal) or MT-DNA (maternal) test (until 25th at 11:59 PM PDT so actually 7:59AM 26th UK time)

https://www.familytreedna.com/