Import Duty From Far East?

[TechHead]

Hi there,

I'm looking a buying a few Tamiya modelling hardware tools and brushes from HLJ, as they are significantly cheaper (all other modelling kit I buy through eModels & Models R Go), and was wondering what the likelihood was of getting slapped with import duty? Anyone that has ordered from HLJ before, what has your experience/luck been with import duty or is there a better way of buying modelling tool items?

Thanks,


Simon

[Willem]

Ordered from there once got stung. Some of the guys recommend that you ask HLJ to print TOYS on the package.

[TechHead]

That is a good tip, re: writing Toys on the package.

May give it a try with a small order first to see how that goes.

Thanks

[Matthew]

sadly m8 they won't have a look on lucky model they will do it though

[robertw]

I've ordered 4 things I think from Japan and haven't had any trouble.

[Filo387]

I have ordered lots from Hong Kong on eBay and have never been stung. Yet

[5Craven]

A couple of things to have in mind when ordering, firstly there is a threshold of £15 value, if you are under this you won't be charged anything. Secondly Royal Mail will slap a £8 'handling fee' on top of any customs duty so if you are placing an order and considering buying something else later it will pay to bundle it all into one delivery. However the bargains you can get from the Far East will often more than offset anything you might have to pay. Depending on who you order from will effect your chances of avoiding any charges, HLJ for example put nice big logos on their delivery boxes which probably help attract the customs man attention! Equally if you request your supplier to label the box as a 'gift' you are moving from the legal area of 'avoidance' (or plain luck!) into the dodgy realms of 'evasion' which might result in entirely different types of charges.

[Paul]

A couple of things to have in mind when ordering, firstly there is a threshold of £15 value, if you are under this you won't be charged anything. Secondly Royal Mail will slap a £8 'handling fee' on top of any customs duty so if you are placing an order and considering buying something else later it will pay to bundle it all into one delivery. However the bargains you can get from the Far East will often more than offset anything you might have to pay. Depending on who you order from will effect your chances of avoiding any charges, HLJ for example put nice big logos on their delivery boxes which probably help attract the customs man attention! Equally if you request your supplier to label the box as a 'gift' you are moving from the legal area of 'avoidance' (or plain luck!) into the dodgy realms of 'evasion' which might result in entirely different types of charges.

Daves hit the nail on the head there, ill only order form the far east if its under £15 value, something i cant get in the uk/europe or something thats released early over there. Otherwise its often not worth it.

Oh and the last 5-6 parcels I've had from over there have had charges slapped on the ranging from £13-£23 with no valid reason for the different prices Its just luck of the draw.

[Apple]

Custom services.. Gotta love 'em....

NOT...

[1001kjk]

Yep I got caught wasn't overly upset at the extra £4 but the £8 handling charge was ott I would have happily paid the vat via a card but to have it paid with out notification and then charged was wrong. It means although I found a seller who was first class great communicator I won't use him again

[Tomtom12]

I have ordered stuff through ebay from Hong Kong haven't had any problems yet one was tamiya corsair 1/32 large box and wasn't charged any extra for this

[Whizzkid]

Custom services.. Gotta love 'em....

NOT...

In the long run its a good thing as it protects UK business and creates jobs, if we didn't have Customs slapping the appropriate tax on items we'd all be buying everything from the far east and India and many a UK business will disappear just like the many Hobby shops that used to exist but have been put out of business by the t'Internet. Though the post office "handling fee" is another discussion.

[Paul]

I have ordered stuff through ebay from Hong Kong haven't had any problems yet one was tamiya corsair 1/32 large box and wasn't charged any extra for this

It's just luck of the draw, you will get stung one day

[Tomtom12]

That's the beauty of the internet, in the past you had to trawl around the the shops on the weekend to find what you wanted, now it's a few clicks and you can search the world,
So if you do get charged by customs just think what you saved in petrol car parking and time.

[Paul]

That's the beauty of the internet, in the past you had to trawl around the the shops on the weekend to find what you wanted, now it's a few clicks and you can search the world,
So if you do get charged by customs just think what you saved in petrol car parking and time.

Often with customs charges it works out the same price but were I've bought it from the uk and had next day delivery, I have a two week wait then the hassle of paying the charges and then waiting for redelivery so it's not always the best way.

[Tiger131]

Custom services.. Gotta love 'em....

NOT...

In the long run its a good thing as it protects UK business and creates jobs, if we didn't have Customs slapping the appropriate tax on items we'd all be buying everything from the far east and India and many a UK business will disappear just like the many Hobby shops that used to exist but have been put out of business by the t'Internet. Though the post office "handling fee" is another discussion.[/quote

you make a very good point and i agree keep the basket full in the uk shops...only use the import when u cant get the part in the uk

[Tomtom12]

I am all for supporting British shops I buy from SnM stuff, hiroboy and others. it's the same when people from abroad buy from British dealers they have to pay import duty on there goods.
All import duty is the government trying to protect business and raise revenue.
If you get away with it fair play.