Hasegawa

[ChernayaAkula]

HLJ has some news ahead of the Shizuoka Hobby Show. LINK
Lokks like Hasegawa will release a 1/72 F-15I Ra'am! LINK Hoping for a set-up like their F-16E/F/I Vipers, with some new sprues with bits to spruce up the old kits.

<...> and from what I hear oil has something to do with it (though I'm not sure to what extent) in the raw materials department.  <...>

The oil price and its effect on raw plastic has nothing to do with it at all. The amount of plastic used in a kit costs cents.

In fact get the this boxing http://www.hlj.com/product/HSGE35?r=spvehq89 and its even cheaper ! Just add a £10 for postage and hope the customs people do not get it.

Yeah, just found that, too. Think it wasn't up when I typed my response. Looks like the thing about Idolmaster boxings being more expensive holds true.
Around 29GBP for a new-tool Sea Flanker with a comprehensive weapons fit - not cheap, but definitely not too expensive either. Especially when you consider the alternatives (not that there are that many).

[Supertom]

HLJ has some news ahead of the Shizuoka Hobby Show. LINK
Lokks like Hasegawa will release a 1/72 F-15I Ra'am! LINK Hoping for a set-up like their F-16E/F/I Vipers, with some new sprues with bits to spruce up the old kits.

I'm still waiting on a GE-110-equipped F-15K/S in 1/72 so I can do Korean and Singaporean F-15s.

[jcf]

Import duties are not an issue in the US as model kits are classed with toys and thus exempt.

http://www.usitc.gov/publications/docs/tata/hts/bychapter/1100C95.pdf

The relevant section:
9503.00.00    Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled  toys;
                      dolls' carriages; dolls, other toys; reduced-scale ("scale")
                      models and similar recreational models, working or not;
                      puzzles of all kinds; parts and accessories thereof ................. Free

[Amphion]

Import duties are not an issue in the US as model kits are classed with toys and thus exempt.

http://www.usitc.gov/publications/docs/tata/hts/bychapter/1100C95.pdf

The relevant section:
9503.00.00    Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled  toys;
                      dolls' carriages; dolls, other toys; reduced-scale ("scale")
                      models and similar recreational models, working or not;
                      puzzles of all kinds; parts and accessories thereof ................. Free

Same applies to the EU.

[PR19_Kit]

Same applies to the EU.

If that's true Her Majesty's Customs and Excise owe me a large fortune in mis-paid duties, not to mention compound interest on all the money they've had off me over the last 45 odd years! AND I want the compound interest in the VAT as well!

[NARSES2]

Import duties are not an issue in the US as model kits are classed with toys and thus exempt.

http://www.usitc.gov/publications/docs/tata/hts/bychapter/1100C95.pdf

The relevant section:
9503.00.00    Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled  toys;
                      dolls' carriages; dolls, other toys; reduced-scale ("scale")
                      models and similar recreational models, working or not;
                      puzzles of all kinds; parts and accessories thereof ................. Free

Same applies to the EU.

Not sure that imports of models from outside the EU/EFTA are duty free, but must admit I'm not in touch with current HM Customs regs. If it is true then like Kit I want my money back.

As an example Wingnut models attract a rather large charge from HMC, but a chunk of that is VAT

[PR19_Kit]

Perhaps this could be the subject of a thread split, as it bears discussion?

Surely toys, kits and model railroad stuff WAS subject to duty etc. when inbound to the USA and the UK around 10 yerars ago.

I used to attend model railroad conventions in the Twin Cities area back then and to ensure my stuff was not charged duty I had to make sure I had six lots of paperwork, quoting original place of manufacture, originl place of purchase, cost at the time, value on import etc. Thse all had to be stamped, bouth outbound from UK and USA and inbound to both. Any infringement of that and they'd charge me. They never had to but the chance was there if I lost the paperwork.

[Amphion]

The same duties apply for all EU countries when importing from "third countries", in this case none. But you'll still be charged VAT I reckon.
Then there's every Harry, Dick 'n Tom acting as middle-man in the shipping 'n handling-process that will charge you money and call it duties or customs fees because that's easier to "swallow".

[PR19_Kit]

The same duties apply for all EU countries when importing from "third countries", in this case none. But you'll still be charged VAT I reckon.

I beg to differ.

I've just spent some time on the mind-bogglingly complex HMC&R site to try and sort this out, and it would seem that kits of plastic origin from Japan are charged at 4.7% coming into the EU with the various VAT rates added. The Tarriff code involved is  9503 00 35 which applies to non-railway model construction kits. (Why model railways should be singled out for special treatment I don't know....) Some other 'third countries' are indeed charged at 0.0% but most of the stuff we're talking about here come from Japan.

Here's a link to the respective page

http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds2/taric/measures.jsp?Lang=en&SimDate=20110415&Area=JP&Taric=9503&LangDescr=en

Go down to 9503 00 35 next to where it says 'of plastics' and click on the code itself and a table opens up below it mentioning the 4.7%.

[Martin H]

At my local model club we have a tame VAT inspector from HMRC. And he says even they struggle to understand the rules for the whole damn thing as they are always changing.

[The Wooksta!]

Isn't that the whole point?  These fascists always find a way to screw the working man.

Sorry, ladies and gentlemen. Little bit of politics there!

[jcf]

The same duties apply for all EU countries when importing from "third countries", in this case none. But you'll still be charged VAT I reckon.

I beg to differ.

I've just spent some time on the mind-bogglingly complex HMC&R site to try and sort this out, and it would seem that kits of plastic origin from Japan are charged at 4.7% coming into the EU with the various VAT rates added. The Tarriff code involved is  9503 00 35 which applies to non-railway model construction kits. (Why model railways should be singled out for special treatment I don't know....) Some other 'third countries' are indeed charged at 0.0% but most of the stuff we're talking about here come from Japan.

Here's a link to the respective page

http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds2/taric/measures.jsp?Lang=en&SimDate=20110415&Area=JP&Taric=9503&LangDescr=en

Go down to 9503 00 35 next to where it says 'of plastics' and click on the code itself and a table opens up below it mentioning the 4.7%.

Look again, it appears that model kits are covered under 95030030, not 95030035:
   
9503 00 30 - Electric trains, including tracks, signals and other accessories therefor; reduced-size (scale) model assembly kits
ERGA OMNES (ERGA OMNES - CEE)
Measures for import:    
Third country duty (01-01-2007 - ) :     0 %    
   R1549/06
All third countries (ALLTC)
Measures for export:    
Export authorization (prior surveillance) (01-01-2007 - )       (TM571)
   R1210/03
   
Additional Code 4049:     Toys and games, between 50 and 100 years old, other than those covered by the additional codes 4008, 4010, 4011, 4013, 4023, 4040 - 4048
   
Measures for export:    
Export authorization (prior surveillance) (01-01-2007 - )       
   R1210/03
   
Additional Code 4099:     Other than those mentioned in Regulation (EC) no 1210/2003 (OJ L 169): no restrictions
   
Measures for export:    
Export control on cultural goods (02-03-2009 - )       (CD483) (CG024)
   R0116/09
   [Show conditions]    

   
   
-     Other construction sets and constructional toys
9503 00 35     
-  -     Of plastics
ERGA OMNES (ERGA OMNES - CEE)
Measures for import:    
Third country duty (01-01-2007 - ) :     4.70 %    
   R1549/06
All third countries (ALLTC)
Measures for export:    
Export authorization (prior surveillance) (01-01-2007 - )       (TM571)
   R1210/03
   
Additional Code 4049:     Toys and games, between 50 and 100 years old, other than those covered by the additional codes 4008, 4010, 4011, 4013, 4023, 4040 - 4048
   
Measures for export:    
Export authorization (prior surveillance) (01-01-2007 - )       
   R1210/03
   
Additional Code 4099:     Other than those mentioned in Regulation (EC) no 1210/2003 (OJ L 169): no restrictions
   
Measures for export:    
Export control on cultural goods (02-03-2009 - )       (CD483) (CG024)
   R0116/09
   [Show conditions]

[ChernayaAkula]

^ Yeah, what Jon said!

"Construction sets" can mean a lot (anything from LEGO to Meccano), but "reduced-size (scale) model assembly kits" is fairly specific. At least that's the my argument when one of the customs officials tries to file kits under construction sets. So far they all agreed (for whatever that#s worth ).

[McGreig]

(I agree with Kit, that it would be good if this could be split off into a separate thread)

Customs Duty and VAT are two separate issues. Duty may be negligible, but VAT and handling fees are not.

The basic rule on the taxation of imports into the UK is simple - most goods arriving in the UK from outside the European Union are liable to Customs Duty and Import VAT. This applies whether the goods are purchased or gifts, new or used, for private use or intended for resale.

However, the legislation contains some exemption limits:

Gifts – No VAT if £40 or less and no Duty if £135 or less. Also, Duty is waived if the amount calculated is less than £9.00

Commercial Items (Items that you've purchased) – No VAT if £18 or less. Customs Duty is waived if the amount calculated is less than £9.00.

Current rate of VAT is 20%. Customs Duty is nil on plastic scale model kits and 4.7% on, say, diecasts, for items imported from Japan, China and the USA. (The value of goods for import VAT is based on the basic value of the goods, plus postage, packing and insurance, plus any Customs Duty charged. Customs Duty is charged on the price paid for the goods including any local sales taxes plus postage, packing and insurance costs.)

A couple of other points:

Charges are calculated by UK Border Agency (UKBA) staff at the postal depots where the packages are received.

If customs charges are payable upon importation, Royal Mail charge a handling fee to cover the costs for carrying out customs procedures, paying any customs duties or VAT due and collecting it from you. HMRC's website is at pains to point out that, as these fees are completely separate from any customs charges, any queries about them should be raised with Royal Mail or Parcelforce Worldwide as appropriate.

[NARSES2]

Ah the joys of the Combined Nomencular - spent many a happy hour going through chapters 70 to 75 

(I agree with Kit, that it would be good if this could be split off into a separate thread)

I'm on my travels at the moment once back at base camp, not until after Easter, I'll split this if no one else has

Chris