Looking at a nice London Best in the UK and have not reached a price yet but wonder what is involved in getting it here.
I talked to a guy yesterday and he indicated about $1500 just on this side to get the gun. Is that correct?The dealer wants shipping costs on that side as well.
So what is the going rate?

If done right, buying a gun from the UK is a seamless process if you use a respectable importer. Duty will be around 2 - 3% of the cost of the firearm, as I recall. Shipping is not all that much either and should be done between the seller in the UK and the US importer. I would recommend BSA. Ltd., out of Millbrook, NY. Charles has imported guns for me and I have had not any issues except for a slightly damaged stock on one new gun which the manufacturer repaired.

Give me a call, I bring guns in to the states from the UK in batches and can save you some money.
Steve

$1500 is high, unless the gun is very valuable (as it is subject to a 2.6% import duty). If you are not in a hurry, piggy-backing with SKB might be a good idea. I decided to go solo with the expectation of faster receipt of the gun, but the UK export and US import permits were slow in coming. My gun was purchased in mid-Sept. and arrived stateside earlier this week - I hope to receive it next week. My sense is that is a little on the slow side but not remarkably so.

Steve's piggyback suggestion is probably the way to go. I brought one in from the UK in the mid-90's and shipping costs were not a big deal. However, I understand that shipping has increased significantly since then. Back then, used a service called Datapost to ship, but I understand that can no longer be done.

I've used New England Custom Guns, Ltd., Plainfield, New Hampshire, as importer in 2000. Dietrich Apel sure treated me fair and efficiently. Engraving their company name on firearm, as importer and other import costs was quite reasonable. Then Mr. Apel shipped to my assigned FFL.