# Importing Condensers from China

**URL:** <https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/importing-condensers-from-china/334>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [12 December 2020 12:00 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/importing-condensers-from-china/334 "2020-12-12T12:00:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![AmateurEngineer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9e8a1a/32.png) [@AmateurEngineer](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/AmateurEngineer)\
**Post date:** [12 December 2020 12:00 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/importing-condensers-from-china/334/1 "2020-12-12T12:00:49Z")

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My packet of 100 condenser lenses arrived two weeks after ordering from AliExpress. A surprisingly honest customs declaration of 33.81 USD attracted the attention of the Border Force here in the U.K. which charged me £5.08 VAT. Then the Royal Mail charged me a handling fee of £8.00. Those of you doing a bulk buy for school microscopes and the like may wish to add these figures to your budget.

I’ve imported a lot of electronics from AliExpress over the years and this is the first time I’ve been charged any sort of duty. I would have been happy to buy a few but the minimum order quantity is 100.