Buying Gas Hob From Europe

flat_white_

We come across a relatively high-end gas hob we really liked, but we only found one place that sells in the UK for close to 2000GBP, while it is widely available in Europe for about half the price I did find an Italian online retailer who ships to the UK (aware I will likely have to pay UK VAT). I presume the hob is in compliance with EU regulation.

I am aware of the usual problems with this - lack of UK warranty and possibly coming with an European plug. But are there any compliance reasons (i.e. insurance, gas safe or building control etc) that will stop us from putting a EU hob into the house? 

Brie

Don't know about the safety issues (I would assume there wouldn't be any as EU standards are high) but would want to ensure I knew exactly what it would cost to get into the country.  VAT is just part of the price, duty will be charged, admin fee, delivery too of course.  One keeps hearing about someone who ordered shoes or something from a non UK source and end up with a huge bill from DHL or Fedex or wherever. 

Emmia

Brie said:

Don't know about the safety issues (I would assume there wouldn't be any as EU standards are high) but would want to ensure I knew exactly what it would cost to get into the country.  VAT is just part of the price, duty will be charged, admin fee, delivery too of course.  One keeps hearing about someone who ordered shoes or something from a non UK source and end up with a huge bill from DHL or Fedex or wherever. 

It's not the tax, you also need to add on shipping and customs charges...

grumbler

https://www.trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/commodities/8516605000

0.00% apparently

Jonboy_1984

grumbler said:

https://www.trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/commodities/8516605000

0.00% apparently

To be clear thats zero duty, still 20% VAT and a clearance processing fee (likely between £40-65) on top of the delivery charge - the Vat will be on the goods and delivery charges. 

If the hob is shipped on a pallet service it will likely be around the £300 mark for a single pallet from Italy, without a forklift at the receiving address.
If it can go as a parcel it is less guessable without weights and dimensions as many couriers surcharge if any one side of the package is over 60cm.

flat_white_

yeah fair, thank you guys. i suppose there is no issue on gas safety etc i.e. all the connections used in Europe should be the same as the UK and most gas engineers would be happy to install it?

greyteam1959

What about a warranty issue if it packs up ??

Section62

flat_white_ said:

yeah fair, thank you guys. i suppose there is no issue on gas safety etc i.e. all the connections used in Europe should be the same as the UK and most gas engineers would be happy to install it?

In some areas of Europe is is a lot more common than in the UK to have bottled gas (e.g. propane) for built-in cooking equipment... so make sure the model you are buying is designed/compatible for use with the UK mains gas supply, not propane.  (unless of course you intend to use it with propane)

Mutton_Geoff

Section62 said:

flat_white_ said:

yeah fair, thank you guys. i suppose there is no issue on gas safety etc i.e. all the connections used in Europe should be the same as the UK and most gas engineers would be happy to install it?

In some areas of Europe is is a lot more common than in the UK to have bottled gas (e.g. propane) for built-in cooking equipment... so make sure the model you are buying is designed/compatible for use with the UK mains gas supply, not propane.  (unless of course you intend to use it with propane)

Almost all hobs come with spare injectors (jets) to set them for the type of gas used:

G20 (UK methane "natural gas"), G30 (butane) and G31 (propane). The unused ones are usually thrown away after install but if you buy a new hob in Europe, it will have three sets of jets with it, one set fitted, the others in a plastic bag or available from the manufacturer.