Does any Audiogon member have a Holbo air-bearing turntable?

RB, I am restoring a 1961 Alfa Romeo.  I buy most parts from 2-3 businesses all in the UK.  Prior to a few months ago, I have never had to pay a "duty" on anything from the UK.  But I have paid duty on the last 3 small orders.  Just a few days ago, I found I needed a pair of rubber headlight seals, cost $22 USD.  I had to pay an additional $30 for overnight DHL shipping.  Then I received a note from DHL saying I had to pay an additional $22 for "duty".  That would be a 100% markup on the real cost or 40% on the cost plus shipping.  The seller is no help.  On two previous larger orders from the same source, I reckon I paid about a 20% duty.  Duty means tariff, of course.  I have no idea what is going on with this last order; it is even possible DHL has made an accounting error. There is one source for Alfa parts in Italy.  Now I know there is a much lesser tariff on EU goods, perhaps I will shop there.  Thankfully, I’m almost done with the car.

@lewm 

But I have paid duty on the last 3 small orders

Yep, I understand the chaos!  Our government-owned Australia Post even stopped shipping to the US for a while.  We all know who to blame!

The common carriers now seemed tasked with collecting "duties" which are really the responsibility of the importer - in this case you!

Please tell me a bit more about your Alfa ...

1961 Giulietta Sprint Veloce.  I've owned it for 11 years and never yet driven it, in part because it sat idle in a garage in Connecticut, in the care of the mechanic who built the correct motor and then went into a 5 year swoon until finally I took it away from him.  We're almost finished now with me doing a lot of the re-assembly in the shop in Maryland where it was originally painted, 8 years ago. Dark red with gray interior. I also have a beautiful 1959 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Veloce, done and running for many years.  I just washed it today in anticipation of a car show on Saturday. I come from about 30 years as a (old 356) Porsche guy, but as a 15 year old, an Alfa Spider was my first love affair with a sports car.  Seen at a stop light in New Haven, CT, where I grew up. I waited most of my life to buy one like the one I saw at age 15, but I did own a Duetto Spider while living in NYC going to med school.  This is probably now too much information. I could write a book on my Porsche experiences.

Our government-owned Australia Post even stopped shipping to the US for a while.  We all know who to blame!

Yeah, Anthony Albanese!

just kidding just kidding

@lewm 

Your story is bringing The Graduate to the forefront of my mind.  Must get the 4K version now it is out!  Beautiful red Alfa spider.

At the time the film was released, my motor was a 1935 Model Y Ford.  The only car to ever sell new in the UK for less than a hundred quid.  Unequalised mechanical brakes, so you got one wheel braking if you were lucky.

I bought it for 10 quid from the college chaplain when I was a student at Cambridge.  There was an embargo on students having a car within 25 miles radius of St Mary’s Church and mine was parked in plain sight on the College Forecourt for a whole term ...