Airfix

[Nick]

It's not just Hannants and Airfix.
Practically every firm that sells across the UK-EU border has no idea what will happen tax and tariff wise so they are all putting a hold on overseas orders. Books, cars, food, wine, you name it and it is affected.

Even parcel firms like DHL, DPD and Parcelmonkey are warning of delays and extra fees.

I thought finishing a model at midnight for a competition deadline was risky. As for international trade deals....

[NARSES2]

And of course (no politics) it will affect us in the UK with stuff coming over here from Europe.

Could get interesting and whilst we may win on the "no VAT on our EU purchases swing" we may well lose on the "HM Customs Import duties and tariffs roundabout". We shall see. Plus I can see some EU producers "forgetting" the VAT bit and thus we get caught twice. 

[PR19_Kit]

........ we may well lose on the "HM Customs Import duties and tariffs roundabout".

We ALWAYS lose when HMC&R get involved, no matter what the situation. 

They're judge, jury AND executioner and completely above all known laws. I've only ever bested them once, and that took intervention by my MP before they backed off from a wholly illegal position. 

[NARSES2]

One of the first things I ever learned in the world of work was "never argue with HM Customs and Excise" they are the only branch of HM Government that can get the rubber gloves out of the drawer, put them on and smile at you. 

[Leading Observer]

 Using their criminal powers, HMRC officials can enter premises without a warrant to investigate suspected VAT offences, and similar. They can enter by force, seize documents and search individuals and make arrests. Their criminal powers are greater than their civil powers, so it's wise to stay on their right side

[PR19_Kit]

I can't help feeling that in a theoretical democracy that kind of power vested in one agency is just plain WRONG!

[kitnut617]

In Canada, the CBSA have similar powers ---

[Pellson]

Well - the other perspective is what we're living with here in Sweden. Our customs office doesn't even have authority to check suspect transports going out across the border. This has lead to a veritable industry of theft where in particular criminal gangs from the Baltic states drive in with a van, fills it up with stolen car parts to then basically without risk drive home and sell it. Minimal costs, maximal profits. And car insurance for the most hit brands have quadrupled over three years. As the COVID-19 struck and borders closed, thefts fell with over 80%, just to increase again when lockdowns were taken away again.

So - be careful what you wish for..

[rickshaw]

Downunder we have had free trade since the late 1980s.  It seems to have worked out reasonably well for us, except we now no longer manufacture most things, we import them from China.   As China has started to shape up into a trade war with the Chinese starting to impose unfair tariffs on Wine and Barley and have ordered their power stations to stop importing Australian coal, things are looking a little sticky for our exporters.   It isn't the fault of the Chinese people but rather their Government.  They seek to punish us for standing our ground on Huawei and other Chinese companies.   

[Old Wombat]

And to our being amongst the initial callers for an investigation into the apparent cover-up of the initial COVID-19 epidemic until it had spread beyond China's borders.

[zenrat]

Brilliant piece of strategy from the marketing dept, pick a fight with your biggest marketplace.  Well done.

[Old Wombat]

China's been itching for a half-arsed reason to pick a fight with us for a few years, now, the COVID thing was the signal for them to pull the trigger (you'll notice they haven't really gone after any of the others calling for an investigation); Australia keeps getting in the way of its Asia-Pacific expansionist program.

[jcf]

... have ordered their power stations to stop importing Australian coal, things are looking a little sticky for our exporters ...

Yeah, because they're in the process of shutting down coal-fired powerplants, they've been doing
it for years, and on schedule to eliminate them altogethernin the next 25 years. There demand
for coal imports has dropped dramatically. It's not China's fault that Aus politicians have hung the
country's economic hat on the export of coal and raw materials, which actually returns you to the
old status you occupied for most of your history under Britain, an exporter of materials/agricultural
products and an importer of manufactured goods.

As to the Huawei issues etc., China really doesn't care, they have far larger, and far more
important, markets than Australia.

[Mossie]

From the advent calendar, the 2021 range will be announced on 6th January. 

[NARSES2]

From the advent calendar, the 2021 range will be announced on 6th January. 

Yup which is why the Magazine will be delayed and published on the 7th as the news is embargoed.