Stella models

[siv429]

Hey ppl! I am looking to buy a TB02 at the start of next month and was wondering if anyone has made an order this big from stella models and whether they were caught by customs or not??

Cheers

Justin

[TWINSET]

I have, plenty of times, and have been hit probably 80/20 in my favour.

It's nothing to do with Stella, or any other seller, it's the luck of the draw as it enters the UK.

I just got £100 worth or stuff from Thundertech, and it sailed thru without charges, normally I get hit from there, as they declare true value and use 'in house' packaging

[siv429]

Do stella use in house packaging?

[TWINSET]

Not as far as I am aware, previous shipments to me have been (very well)wrapped in packing paper.

Even so, corporate packaging only draws attention to the parcel as a purchased item from a store as opposed to a gift.

Next on the 'checklist' is the parcels declared value on the shipping paperwork, if this exceeds set limits (£18 ish for purchases and £35 ish for 'gifts') you will incur charges.

Finally, I believe customs have the ability to charge you 'market rate' for something they believe to be deliberately under valued to avoid duty, although I have never had this happen to me.

If you allow a further 25% of the cost of the car and shipping and it is still cheaper than buying in the UK, then you're still getting a bargain.

As far as I know there is no guaranteed way to avoid duty (cos it's illegal) but that's the risk you take by importing.

[Stefan(2)]

the last fiew kits i got where box-in-box packing

and with no markings on the outside that it is from a "pro".

last time i even got one that was checked by the hong kong officials (pack opened, and sealed).

*never* got hit by duty's to,

[TWINSET]

Recommended reading;

http://money.guardian.co.uk/smartspendingf...1095613,00.html

http://www.hmce.gov.uk/public/shopping/shopping.htm

http://www.sloanefox.freeserve.co.uk/importukduty.htm

http://www.dhl.co.uk/info/duty.html