U.S. custom laws regarding toy soldiers. (1 Viewer)

[marksable]

I'm hoping to purchase a piece from a fellow forum member in Australia and have it shipped to the U.S. Since I've never imported anything from abroad that wasn't through a retailer or ebayer, are there any rules about customs I should know about?

Thanks in advance,

Mark

 

[Harrytheheid]

I'm hoping to purchase a piece from a fellow forum member in Australia and have it shipped to the U.S. Since I've never imported anything from abroad that wasn't through a retailer or ebayer, are there any rules about customs I should know about?

Thanks in advance,

Mark

Ask him to include a chatty note inside the parcel indicating that it's a personal gift between friends. That's what I did when I sent an item to a friend of mine in Canada and he had no problems receiving it.

Good Luck
Harry

 

[lenswerks]

There would be no import fee for your purchase.

If you were traveling back into the country with a purchase, then normally there is an 800$ exemption. This depends on where you are coming from.

 

[lancer]

Purchased many military books out of Australia and New Zealand and never had a problem. They were all mailed direct and postage is all I ever paid. -- lancer

 

[Gideon]

I've bought numerous items from overseas sellers, shops, dealers and co-collectors. Never had a problem with import fees of any kind, even when items were insured. We have a very lenient system here.

 

[thebritfarmer]

Wish it was like that here in Canada. I recently purchased an item from the UK and was slapped with a $30 customs fee

 

[theBaron]

Wish it was like that here in Canada. I recently purchased an item from the UK and was slapped with a $30 customs fee

You guys coulda joined us in 1776, but you hadda stay in the Empire! Now you have to live with the customs duties

 

[thebritfarmer]

You guys coulda joined us in 1776, but you hadda stay in the Empire! Now you have to live with the customs duties

Actually I should have just stayed in Britain and I would have been ok LOL

 

[Spitfrnd]

Actually I should have just stayed in Britain and I would have been ok LOL

From what I have read, the UK has no duty on imports with a value up to 36 Pounds, is that right?

 

[Harrytheheid]

From what I have read, the UK has no duty on imports with a value up to 36 Pounds, is that right?

That's the theory - and I'm sure it applies to items ordered from the USA or elsewhere and sent to the UK. In practice, if you've just arrived back from a holiday in the US and you have a few boxes of TS worth, say US$250 - you'll generally get through customs with them okay.
The customs duty I was paying in Dubai was crippling. Anything between 40 to 50% of the value of the TS's I was importing. No problems getting stuff sent to China though - cos I've found a way around having to pay import tax.


H

 

[aujj65]

From what I have read, the UK has no duty on imports with a value up to 36 Pounds, is that right?

It's £18 or £36 as a gift. A right rip off!

Jeff

 

[Aleš]

well if i buy toy soldiers from USA than i need to pay 20 percent tax i think for Europe,but if i buy the same toy soldiers from France i do not pay no tax because my country is in European Union like several other countries.But the question is,HOW COME THIS COUNTRY (lets say from France,that buy from USA and than sale here),ON WHAT PRICE THEY BUY?DO THEY NOT PAY THE TAX?
Because i was calculating and i see that if i buy the toy soldiers from france,even if they are made in Hong Kong or USA,....i get them more cheap than i will get the from the factory who produce them.Ok i know that there is no tax,and shipment is more cheap in European Union,but still if i think that shop owner from France must pay the tax when he immport the toy soldiers from USA or Hong Kong,and that he also need to sale them for profit,HOW IS POSIBLE THAT IT IS STILL CHEAPER THAN FROM DIRECTLY FROM THE SOURCE?

 

[Gideon]

I am always concerned when I ship pricey sets to Europe and Canada. Really get worried.

I get all sorts of requests to reflect a lower price on the customs forms.

I start to thinking that if something happens in transit, the buyer is not happy and decides to dispute the condition - what happens?

Most overseas buyers opt out of insurance and request the item show a lower price. Fortunately, I have not had a problem as I pack insanely well and many of buyers know me pretty well but I suppose its a matter of time before I hit that one person.

I always mark the item as "gift" as there is no other real category for what I am sending on the forms but that's no guaranty that if the item is insured for the full amount that my customer won't take the tax/VAT hit.

How do you other sellers deal with this?

 

[Aleš]

I think good solution is that you photo them before you send them,so the buyer can see that the items are in very good condition.Than it is also immportant that you pack them well,so that they can not be damaged during transport.And you do not need to pay for insuarance and you write that this is a gift.
And the buyer must be honest and i am sure that most of the people in this business are honest he will tell you when he will receive the shipment.Why will he lie?He is already pay to you.But if he will get them broken it is your fault because you didnt pack well.So he can photo them and send you the photos or he can send you back.It must be trust between the buyer and the salesman and i am sure no one will broke them just for fun.

 

[Gideon]

I think good solution is that you photo them before you send them,so the buyer can see that the items are in very good condition.Than it is also immportant that you pack them well,so that they can not be damaged during transport.And you do not need to pay for insuarance and you write that this is a gift.
And the buyer must be honest and i am sure that most of the people in this business are honest he will tell you when he will receive the shipment.Why will he lie?He is already pay to you.But if he will get them broken it is your fault because you didnt pack well.So he can photo them and send you the photos or he can send you back.It must be trust between the buyer and the salesman and i am sure no one will broke them just for fun.

Absolutely correct but there are a few bad seeds. They get weeded out most times but always at someones expense.

 

[Mardasson]

I'm hoping to purchase a piece from a fellow forum member in Australia and have it shipped to the U.S. Since I've never imported anything from abroad that wasn't through a retailer or ebayer, are there any rules about customs I should know about?

Thanks in advance,

Mark

I sent a lot of toy soldiers to the US and never had a comment from the receiver that he had to pay taxes.
Usually I mention gift on the custom voucher.
For large (very large) parcels, I add a friendly note mentioning a swap between collectors.
Always work fine (not the same when I buy soldiers from the US, I sometimes have to pay huge taxes and sometimes a handling fee even if no tax is due)
Cheers,
Michel