Pen sharing in Ireland?

[Scriptum est]

If there are any members here living in Ireland (Republic) who might be interested in setting up a pen sharing scheme, then please let me know. I know a successful one operates in the UK, but given Brexit and customs duties now payable on items going between the two countries, it's practically impossible for a resident of Ireland to belong to the UK one. (I would have to investigate, but we may be able to include Northern Ireland in this as the NI Protocol to the UK's EU Withdrawal agreement may allow for unimpeded cross-border swapping). If you don't know what pen sharing entails, I'm sure there are resources here which can explain - or I'll have a go if you message me.

[Boston Brian]

Good luck with finding fellow pen enthusiasts.  As a native of Belfast and a pen collector, but now resident of sunny Arizona, I cannot join you!  Thanks to damn Brexit, we cannot send nice gifts to my mother in law from some UK companies as they will not now deliver to Belfast!  

[Scriptum est]

Wow! I hadn't realised that GB-based companies are now refusing to send to NI because of Brexit. So much for Boris Johnson's 'oven-ready deal'!

 

I found that Diamine Inks wouldn't ship to the EU a year or so ago when I tried to order some direct from them - because of all the paperwork involved now, I suppose. I use a 'remailer' in the UK, Addresspal, which works in tandem with An Post. They do the customs declaration for which they charge a standard €6.50 I think, so only worth it if the value of the goods is reasonably high. I then have to pay customs and Irish VAT when the parcel arrives at Dublin. Addresspal operate the same service for goods from the US, but the fee is €15. I have used them for purchases from Goulet Pens.

[Boston Brian]

Thanks so much for yr information, will look into working around the restrictions. We even tried sending cake or afternoon tea items from the famous Betty,s Tea Rooms in York, but no deal! 

[Scriptum est]

On 2/25/2024 at 8:49 PM, Boston Brian said:

Thanks so much for yr information, will look into working around the restrictions. We even tried sending cake or afternoon tea items from the famous Betty,s Tea Rooms in York, but no deal! 

Sending food from one country to another is bound to come up against a brick wall, I'd have thought. I have been known to carry a whole cheese with me on board a flight from Ireland to England before now. If challenged I could always say it was because I might get hungry on the journey!

[Duffy]

On 2/25/2024 at 9:17 AM, Scriptum est said:

 

On 2/25/2024 at 9:17 AM, Scriptum est said:

 

I found that Diamine Inks wouldn't ship to the EU a year or so ago when I tried to order some direct from them 

https://thepenplace.ie

 

This shop in Dublin stocks MUCH more than is shown on the web site, including Diamine Ink. they also stock a good range of fountain pens (again, more than is shown on the site). Give Brendan a ring with any enquiries you may have. He is a gentleman to deal with and very helpful.