Calculate your import duty in few steps for free
As Head Bundleer I hear about many amazing USA websites. It is a good thing as I can pass on in our Blog and weekly Newsletter. At BundleBox, as far as we are concerned, you can never have too much of a good thing so when Design Within Reach came to our attention, we were sold!
This meticulously stylish and super sleek website is home to a world of modern designs for storage, lighting, bathroom, outdoor, living and dining ideas. The company has a number of stores across the USA, but unfortunately does not reach to the UK and Europe, until now! With BundleBox you can buy online and have your items delivered direct to your door.
On a further inspection of the Design Within Reach website, BundleBox can highly recommend the Design Notes and DWR Blog, informative and interesting sources of design tips and news from website.
Of course everyone has their own spin on home decor so it is worth having a good browse to find your favourite pieces from DWR. In an attempt to fuel your inspiration, we have listed a few of our own below.
One thing every happy home needs is a functioning storage system and luckily right now at DWR, there is a storage sale.
We love the L shaped Parallel Bookends ($63.75). They are perfect for an orderly reading corner and tick all the boxes for looking good!
Parallel BookEnds $65.75
Your bedroom should be a haven of peace, relaxation and retreat from the outside world. The Nest Air Organic duvets even sound dreamy! Described as ‘relaxed sophisticated modern bedding’ each air organic duvet is created using organic cotton and simple jacquard weaving techniques.
Nest Air Organic Duvet Cover from $350
The NY Rocking chair ($500) designed by Takeshi Nii in 1958 was inspired by the classic style of a directors chair. His vision for the lounger was that it would be ‘a chair for one to sit and relax in after a nice meal’. We all know the feeling when someone claims the comfy chair at home and the NY Rocking Chair is certainly one to draw battle lines over. Created with a folding frame and durable canvas, this design is permanently on display at MOMA.
NY Rocking Chair $500
Happy Bundling,
The BundleBox Team.
T3 Magazine did a nice piece of research for their users, to identify the 6 best websites to help you work smarter. BundleBox made that list as the best site to buy from the USA. We are really proud of that, especially given the caliber of the other 5 sites that made the list:
Best site for… note taking: Evernote
Best site for…teamwork: Google Wave
Best site for…wordsmiths: Visuwords
Best site for… playing the markets: Pollster
Best site for… sharing files: Drop.io
Many thanks T3 Magazine, we’ll keep up the good work
Happy bundling
Spring and Summer could not be more evident in shops and online. Everywhere we look there seems to be stacks of cute floral dresses, candy coloured cardigans and dainty sandals. It is a stark contrast to the windy and wet weather we are battling with at the moment and with more forecast, it is not likely we will be dusting off the sun hats just yet!
That is not to say we cannot up the ante on the style front come rain or shine. The Mac has been a timeless wardrobe staple of the savvy fashionista for years. It is practical, stylish and the ultimate cover-up for that tempermental weather period from end of winter into Spring.
BundleBox has scoured the trendiest USA websites in search of the Mac top three. Get inspired and have yours shipped today!
This coat from Jones New York is a signature of style and is versatile to be worn over work clothes and also with jeans and dresses. A wardrobe favourite forever.
Pemberley Belted Trench Coat now $133.99
Tommy Hilfiger epitomises classic USA style and this contemporary short coat is practical yet fashionable.
Classic Tommy Hilfiger Short Trench Coat $198
Kenneth Cole’s metallic trench coat is a updated version of the classic trench style. This is perfect for work and can double over as a even wear coat. Teamed with boots as shown is one of the ways to accessorise with this great wardrobe must have.
Kenneth Cole Metallic Trench Coat $179.98
Happy Bundling,
The BundleBox Team.
It has amusingly been heralded by some commentators as the most eagerly awaited tablet since Moses disappeared up Mount Sinai. Following months of intense speculation, Apple’s Steve Jobs finally unveiled their latest creation, the iPad, at an event in San Francisco a fortnight ago, describing it as a ‘third category’ device somewhere between a smart phone and a laptop.
Boasting a 9.7” LED backlit IPS display and ‘remarkably precise’ multi touch screen, this new generation gizmo weighs just over half a kilo and is an incredible 1.25 cm’s thick – it has the appearance of an oversized iPhone, but it promises to be something of a revelation.
The Wi Fi version will be available for shipping in the U.S. late march, whilst the 3G model is expected to be released sometime in April. With prices ranging from US$ 499 for the WiFi model with 16Gb of flash memory to US$ 829 for 64Gb of storage and ability to connect via a 3G mobile signal on any network, they’re likely to sell like hot cakes.
It has been mooted that international price information won’t be available until either June or July, so, if like me, you want one as soon as they become available in the US, you’re going to want to know how much import tax you’ll have to pay, right ?
My aim this week was to nail down where the iPad is classified within the Customs tariff so I could reveal how much duty it would attract, and add it to our product categories section in readiness for the release date. Alas, no luck as yet, in fact it has proved to be a rather frustrating experience.
Unfortunately, the Customs Tariff was written back in the 1950’s, in the days when an inside toilet was considered the height of luxury, and little has been done to bring it into the 21st Century. If only it had been written by Nostradamus, I mused this week, he would have had the foresight to include products at the cutting edge of technology.
We have some great contacts within the Customs tariff classification section in Southend, but when technologically innovative items come onto the market, there’s always plenty of head scratching in that corner of Essex. All this has been compounded by the fact that their ‘tech’ specialist is currently on holiday, so there’ll be a short delay before we can announce the duty rate that will apply.
The one thing I can confirm at this stage is that UK import VAT will apply at 17.5%. In the meantime, after much deliberation, I’ve narrowed it down to two possible classifications for the iPad, and all hinges on whether the it can be considered ‘freely programmable’; if we can tick this box and convince the doting father at Customs, everyone’s a winner (except perhaps Her Majesty); classification will fall to the heading for laptop computers - duty free.
If all else fails, the worst case scenario is a duty rate of a mere 3.7% - hardly a show stopper for one of the most talked about devices on the net.
Watch this space, will get back to you with the final rate next week
Happy Bundling
We all love to spruce up the place we call home every once in a while. Your home says so much about who you are and what you love. The kitchen, bedroom and lounge are the places we should feel most at home. It is only fitting that we surround ourselves with beautiful things that we cherish, as well as those things that conjure memories from memorable vacations, people and times in our lives.
Crate and Barrel came under the Bundlebox radar when a savvy Bundleer ordered something from their website. From that moment we have been hooked on their original take on traditional, contemporary and super stylish ideas for the home. We LOVE a story and Crate and Barrel do not disappoint!
During the 1960s a young couple, Carole and Gordon Segal had just returned from Honeymooning in Europe. Feeling inspired by the cultured items for the home they had discovered they also felt a sense of frustration that there was nowhere to find a variety of contemporary affordable things for the home.
Their passion to make these things available to others influenced them to open their own shop. After hiring one employee and leasing an abandoned elevator factory in Chicago’s Wells Street, Crate and Barrel was born.
Crate and Barrel Chicago Exterior 1962
The couple travelled extensively throughout Europe buying from ceramicists, glassblowers and small French factories who used traditional craftsmanship techniques to create copper pots and simple bistro dinner sets.
Having gone all out on their Europe spending spree, Carole and Gordon had run out of money for display and shelving in their store. With another creative twist they stacked the wooden crates around the store and used them as a simple form of shelving. The couple say that ‘Out of necessity came the unique Crate and Barrel style and name’. Overcome with the excitement of opening on a cold December day in 1962, they realised that they had overlooked one important thing, a cash register.
Based on recent purchases, Bundlebox has listed three must haves from this interesting company whose ethos and concept is as exciting today as it was in 1962.
Marimekko Taupe Bed cover from $29 -$119
Classical Symmetry Blue Print $69
Silver Spin Bar Stools from $99
Happy Bundling,
The BundleBox Team.
It is thrilling to see how many Bundleers are passionate about their hobbies and interests! The Internet is the perfect place to research, compare, browse a little more and eventually purchase something you will love.
At BundleBox the remit opens up that little bit further, allowing you to buy from the many quality, fun and interesting web sites available in the USA. What is more exciting than that is counting down the days before your anticipated package arrives direct to your door.
Perhaps your a golfing enthusiast or have a penchant for robot making! Maybe you LOVE to seek out a bargain or it could be that reading is just your thing.
Inspired by our some of our Bundleers recent purchases, we have come up with a Hobby List of some of our own favourites.
GOLFING FUN
The striking Tailor Made Penta balls ($48) are a must have on the Golf Course and currently in Limited Edition from Blind9golf.com so you better hurry!
Tailor Made Golf Balls
ROBOT MOVES
Pololu.com is a specialist supplier of robot kits, parts and electronics. It was interestingly founded in the student dorm of three students from Massachusetts in 2000. The name Pololu is derived from the North Coast of the Big Island Hawaii. A Bundleer with a Robot passion has recently purchased from pololu.com and we have been wondering how the robot creation transpired.
Pololu 3pi Robot
The Pololu 3pi Robot ($79.95) is classed as a perfect robot for beginners. Featuring two micro metal gear motors, five reflectance sensors, an 8×2 character LCD and a load of other high tech sounding features. We are sure you will have it trained to bring you a cup of tea in no time!
READING TIME
If golfing or robot making is not your style, perhaps you would prefer to relax at the end of the day with a good book. The useful Lapreader from Levenger is perfect for reading whilst in bed. Made with durable cotton material and soft foam interior, the Lapreader has several useful pockets and a non-slip lip which holds your book in place. All you have to worry about is not falling a sleep!
Lapreader
There is a world of hobbies out there waiting to be discovered so get creative!
Happy Bundling,
The BundleBox Team.
We love to see Bundleers getting creative with purchasing from the US. Of course it is exciting to shop for great savings and deals but it is also exciting to discover unique items from interesting places.
The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York is a celebration of art, architecture, design and creativity attracting approximately 700,000 visitors a year. The MOMA shop is a curated collection all in itself. Apart from being the perfect place to find a momentum of your visit or a gift for a loved one, it is filled with art inspired pieces for the home, jewellery and a fantastic collection of books.
It is all well and good provided you can actually visit but If not, the MOMA Store online is a haven of the best hand-picked items to be found in the shop.
New Spring Home and Accessories Collections at the MOMA Store have just arrived online
With Bundlebox, you can enjoy a shopping trip at MOMA and have it all delivered direct to your door. We picked a few of our favourite MOMA must haves below:
Unique Wall Clock based on George Nelson's iconic 1946 design $336
A symbol of George Nelson’s inspirational design talent, the Multi-coloured ball wall clock is a stylish focal point for any home.
Transform wine glasses into glowing lamps with these uniquely designed paper shades $15
Add an atmospheric glow to your dinner party with these super wine glass lamp shades. Designed by Dekoop for MOMA.
The perfect companion on rainy days $48
Unpredictable weather means you need something you can rely on. This fun sky umbrella is one of MOMA’s best sellers. We think it’s because it reminds us of the starting credits to The Simpsons!
New York Coffee Cup $14
Based on the iconic “We are happy to serve you” paper coffee cup, this cool earth-ware coffee cup will find you enjoying your daily coffee the New York way as well as helping the environment.
Tim Burton MOMA Exhibition Oyster Boy T-Shirt $18
If you have not made it to the Tim Burton Exhibition at MOMA, worry not as you can buy a host of Burton influenced items including books, postcards, prints and the Oyster Boy T-Shirt.
Happy Bundling!
The Bundlebox Team.
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