Can this price be right? What's the snag?

Well there will be 20% VAT on top of that, for a start.

I am not sure if that carriage price will hold? - You will be charged VAT on that as well.

PhilP
 
I ordered some 900mm TL45 straights from them, even with the VAT, duty and customs charges it was still 1/2 the price/m of LGB track..

Once you add VAT, customs duty and charges to that loco you will be looking at around £1040?
 
Not such a bargain then if their price is sans VAT. I have bought from the seller before with no problem but that was below the VAT threshold.
 
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VAT on toys is 0%, so if it is classed as a toy no VAT, if it is an adult item 20%, just ensure the customs declaration is correct :)
 
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Not sure where 0% VAT on toys comes from, would be interested to know - would make buying this stuff mucho cheaper.

The stuff I bought from Railroadsandmore was classed under this commodity code:

Commodity code 9503003000: Electric trains, including tracks, signals and other accessories therefor; reduced-size (scale) model assembly kits - UK Integrated Online Tariff - GOV.UK

Which states that scale models are taxable. It does state that customs duty is 0%. I had a 3 month battle with customs on this after they incorreclty charged me the VAT and duty on double the price of the items I bought. Got the VAT back, but they were adamant that the customs duty was 2.5% and I didn't get that back.
 
SevenOfDiamonds said:
Surely they are subject to 20% vat. It's import (customs) duty that is zero on toys.

Cheers

David
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Cobalt6700 said:
Not sure where 0% VAT on toys comes from, would be interested to know - would make buying this stuff mucho cheaper.

The stuff I bought from Railroadsandmore was classed under this commodity code:

Commodity code 9503003000: Electric trains, including tracks, signals and other accessories therefor; reduced-size (scale) model assembly kits - UK Integrated Online Tariff - GOV.UK

Which states that scale models are taxable. It does state that customs duty is 0%. I had a 3 month battle with customs on this after they incorreclty charged me the VAT and duty on double the price of the items I bought. Got the VAT back, but they were adamant that the customs duty was 2.5% and I didn't get that back.
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After an extensive search, some websites say 0%, other say standard rate (20%), however the HMRC site does not specify Toys (Children's' Goods) at all and therefore at risk of disagreeing with what I have said, it would seem goods (general) and children's goods are the same 20%.
 
SevenOfDiamonds said:
Surely they are subject to 20% vat. It's import (customs) duty that is zero on toys.

Cheers

David
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Correct. VAT 20% but customs 0% for model railways (and books). If the ebay seller has included German VAT in the price then that should be deducted when they export it (if you can get them to do it) and the UK VAT added on import. Maybe as its through eBay they will do it. Also there will be a small handling fee by Parcelforce or whoever does the UK end for billing and collecting the VAT.
 
I have an N gauge multiple unit set coming from ebay Germany to the UK. It was sold by a shop who've always said they don't make VAT adjustments on their web site orders. However this is bought through their ebay store and it does appear that ebay have removed the German VAT. Seller's PDF invoice direct to me is something like 218 Euros, ebay charged me 178 Euros. Of course I shall expect from UPS a demand for the UK VAT and handling fee in due course, but even then it's going to work out at around £220 ish I think, compared to a typical UK asking price of £330 for the same item. I should add this was a short term auction listing not a buy-it-now so it sold for a bargain price anyway (should be more like 330 Euros). Happy bunny :)
 
The modeltrainprices.com website shows prices ranging from £819 to £1100. The cheapest are in Germany. Guess where the most expensive are?
www.modeltrainprices.com

LGB 26390 scale G locomotive

Compare LGB 26390 prices from 111 shops across the world + many other scale G LGB locomotives
www.modeltrainprices.com www.modeltrainprices.com

Rik
 
ge_rik said:
The modeltrainprices.com website shows prices ranging from £819 to £1100. The cheapest are in Germany. Guess where the most expensive are?
www.modeltrainprices.com

LGB 26390 scale G locomotive

Compare LGB 26390 prices from 111 shops across the world + many other scale G LGB locomotives
www.modeltrainprices.com www.modeltrainprices.com

Rik
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Rip off GB?
 
dunnyrail said:
Rip off GB?
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At least dealers in the UK do actually remove the VAT when selling overseas to places like Australia. Mobs like Grootspoor put it in their own pocket and tell you that it is automatically removed on their website depending of the buyer's location. I tested that with a proxy server where they are located and it was all BS. I no longer give them my money on principle. :shake:

Interesting enough, I have found my live steamers flying under the radar (ironically, none were a Scotsman) as far as my local customs in AU are concerned over the past several years and occasionally in the distant past too. WINNER! :party: More trains for me and less for the Gov. >:)
In the past when importing was done differently over here, I had to give them the import tariff classification because it potentially comes under several different ones which have a different rate or zero. :nerd: The cubicle dwelling tax agents don't care as long as they have a number that fits so don't be duped.
eBay and other large corps now do the import sales tax collecting on behalf of the AU gov but they also charge their fees which are usually outrageous. :finger: It's a constant battle against the virtual skeleton money boxes. :D
I'm sure it all works somewhat differently in the UK and those across the channel but it is all relative. ;)
 
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Grootspoor caught me. Charged me full price including Dutch VAT. UK charged me UK VAT & Royal Mail added their handling charge. Caught once but not again.
 
I have just purchased a brand new LGB coach from Grootspoor, the Dutch VAT was deducted and no UK VAT added either. The parcel was correctly labelled with all the appropriate customs forms filled out detailing everything. The parcel was sent using Dutch Post and Parcel Force at this end. Perhaps I have been fortunate. I have not purchased anything second hand from them recently so not sure if Dutch VAT will be deducted in this case.
 
Paradise said:
It's about time that Dutchman pulled his finger out. :giggle:
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Interesting just bought an LGB 36361 SOEG coach from grootspoor VAT removed in Holland added in UK cost was only £10 more than buying in the UK ( something I couldn't do here as I am not an LGB club member )
 
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