FYI - Plaza Japan now charging tax (I assume UK VAT)

[Twinfan 765]

Just an FYI folks, it seems that Plaza Japan have just added 20% tax (UK VAT I guess) to any purchases heading to the UK.  I had a few items in my basket overnight and they've now had a tax charge added.  I hadn't realised previously that there was no tax added to orders, but checking my previous invoices it seems that was the case.

I guess that's the end of the really good deals.  Grrrrrr.

[alvinlwh 5286]

You are right. I did an experiment as I have an UK address and Singapore address (as I had stuff posted there as well) saved into my address book on PJ and here is the result of a £10ish item.

UK

Singapore

[Twinfan 765]

I wish I'd placed that order yesterday now and I'd have saved £20.

Ah well, not the end of the world but I'm glad I bought a bunch of stuff over the last couple of years as I saved a packet!

[alvinlwh 5286]

They are now on par with RCM in my books, both charges VAT.

RCM more expensive but cheaper postage.

PJ cheaper but more expensive postage.

For me who makes small volume but frequent purchases, RCM works out better for me (if not available elsewhere).

[ChrisRx718 4163]

All good things and all that. I think they're still viable at a certain order value (ie. just under £135 inc. postage). 

Remember the good ol' days when Banzai Hobby sold Tamiya? That was epic.

[Pylon80 1390]

I am in the US, anybody knows if PJ charge tax and/or if there's some sort of order limit to dodge taxes (US)?

[alvinlwh 5286]

1 minute ago, Pylon80 said:

I am in the US, anybody knows if PJ charge tax and/or if there's some sort of order limit to dodge taxes (US)?

No, unless US has some kind of arrangements that forces sellers in other countries to collect tax for your IRS*. Also, I believe US has a very generous personal import limit.

*Till this day, I cannot figure out how HMRC can force sellers in other countries to collect tax for them.

[Sogogi 2417]

54 minutes ago, Pylon80 said:

I am in the US, anybody knows if PJ charge tax and/or if there's some sort of order limit to dodge taxes (US)?

Ordered some yesterday and nothing has changed

[simalarion 2149]

RCMart is adding Vat to Norway as AliExpress & Ebay they use VOEC code paid.

PJ still don’t, problem is the limit for letting them through in Norway is only around 30£ (incl shipping), when over the Tax handling is getting quite good picking this up an PJ is very accurate on the invoice they add on parcel, when they do Tax handling is added on top off Vat that is added.. So for my part buying from Norway they might as well add Vat so i can order over 30£ and not worry about Tax handling fee

[87lc2 2575]

3 hours ago, Pylon80 said:

I am in the US, anybody knows if PJ charge tax and/or if there's some sort of order limit to dodge taxes (US)?

No tax to the US.  Just had another package arrive from them yesterday.  I've spent a lot there over the past couple of months, really worth it if you order a few hundred $ at a time.  Smaller orders not so much, shipping is a killer.

[Fish Slice 35]

Gutted! Just looked, still not bad in many cases even considering the 20%.

What does that mean for orders over £135 though if they are collecting the vat.  Wondering if it would make bigger orders viable?

[svenb 3565]

4 hours ago, ChrisRx718 said:

 

Remember the good ol' days when Banzai Hobby sold Tamiya? That was epic.

I remember, packs of titanium screws for less than a quid 😭

[Twinfan 765]

18 minutes ago, Fish Slice said:

What does that mean for orders over £135 though if they are collecting the vat.  Wondering if it would make bigger orders viable?

Over £135 the VAT is paid on entry to the UK instead, so rather than PJ collecting it you pay it via the courier when receiving the parcel.

So if you're happy with the PJ price, and paying the VAT before delivery, larger orders will work well.

[Fish Slice 35]

Just having a mess on the store and if you go over £135 it stops adding the tax on.

Think I might chance adding a spare pinion on my next order. 😂

[Twinfan 765]

11 minutes ago, Fish Slice said:

Just having a mess on the store and if you go over £135 it stops adding the tax on.

Think I might chance adding a spare pinion on my next order. 😂

The trouble is, £135 has to include shipping to be VAT free.  If you make a £136 order at PJ, plus the £20+ shipping, it's a pretty safe bet you'll get charged taxes here in the UK by the courier you choose (DHL, FedEx etc).

[simalarion 2149]

@Twinfan - If PJ already added Vat you should not pay Vat again in UK?, PJ should add the VOEC paid code and it shall slip right through every time. Or maybe there are more rules here?

[alvinlwh 5286]

2 hours ago, Twinfan said:

 

Incorrect information, ignore

 

[alvinlwh 5286]

Incorrect information 

[Fish Slice 35]

That's because your item is less than £135.  Add a £10 item and you'll see the tax come off.

If you pay duty on entry you have to pay it on both the item and postage.

As you said though its around the danger zone as you put it.

Just looking at some random blue bling I've bought before (Tamiya 54661), even with 20% added it's still about half it's UK price.

[alvinlwh 5286]

17 minutes ago, Fish Slice said:

That's because your item is less than £135.  Add a £10 item and you'll see the tax come off.

Isn't £135 the total cost including postage?

[Twinfan 765]

Yes, it should be £135 including postage but PJ have got it wrong on their system and they do it up to basket value of £135 MINUS the shipping.

[Fish Slice 35]

36 minutes ago, alvinlwh said:

Isn't £135 the total cost including postage?

No, its the value of the goods, hence why ticking over £135 drops the tax off.

20 minutes ago, Twinfan said:

Yes, it should be £135 including postage but PJ have got it wrong on their system and they do it up to basket value of £135 MINUS the shipping.

Don't think they have.  How it's worked out I'd say is consistent with what's published here - https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/tax-and-duty

My understanding has always been it's based on the value of the goods (items), but when you pick up the tab from the courier then you are liable for VAT on the amount of goods, the shipping costs on top, any Duty, and a fee from the courier for the privilege of doing it.

Presumably that's why the earlier RC Mart example got double dinged (and got it back) as they were unlucky on the amounts being borderline, and maybe some bad paperwork on the package.

Note: I'm not a tax expert, so seek advice if importing tat from Asia. 🧐

[simalarion 2149]

@Twinfan
Oh so you in UK used to get PJ orders under £135 Vat free (incl shipping), but now PJ add Vat on all order up to 135 but forgot to incl shipping, this can potentially get messy.

I read up now and the quite new rules in Norway is that order up to £30 slip through no matter what, orders between £30-270 (350kr - 3000kr) will get stopped in Tax handling if VOEC is not added, over that amount i believe will be the same as your £135 limit, it did say you could have several product in same order and as long as 1 off the product’s is NOT over £270 VOEC method apply, never tested this though… Frustrating for sure.

@Fish Slice

RCMart was sloppy with invoicing in the beginning adding Vat so you got struck with double vat + handling. But in my 2 recent orders with them they added this info clearly, so no issue anymore on my orders 

[alvinlwh 5286]

5 minutes ago, Fish Slice said:

No, its the value of the goods, hence why ticking over £135 drops the tax off.

Ok looks like I got it wrong. I had removed my posts to avoid confusion. However, I still believe £135 total or goods only maybe a danger zone unless this new electronic custom declaration will submit the right information to HMRC, there is a risk of, in your words, double dinged.

[alvinlwh 5286]

14 minutes ago, simalarion said:

Oh so you in UK used to get PJ orders under £135 Vat free (incl shipping), but now PJ add Vat on all order up to 135 but forgot to incl shipping, this can potentially get messy.

Here is my order from just over a month ago, £133 total, no VAT, and no charge on entry.

The £135 limit (with or without shipping, not sure) works this way.

Below £135, seller collects VAT on behalf HMRC. Above £135, VAT and customs tax get charged on entry along with an import "fine" by the postal company.