Tamiya in your suitcase

[c_a_r_t_e_r]

Hi there.

I'm off to the USA in a couple of weeks on my hols, and although I probably shouldn't buy any more kits... I feel the need to take advantage of some super-cheap prices while I'm out there!

If I can limit myself to just one kit.. has anyone tried bringing it back to the UK in their suitcase? I'm worried that a small bundle of electrical parts will look suspicious in an x-ray! [:I]

As I'll be building it, should I ditch the box and bring different bits back in my hand-luggage too? Surely you're allowed a certain value of "toy cars" to bring back as gifts?

Cheers!

Tim.

[CarterTG]

I wouldn't consider buying a Tamiya in the US to be any 'super-cheap' bargain. Most hobby shops are only willing to peg their kits at suggested retail prices. The next cheaper scenario would be stumbling across a very small handful of shops scattered throughout the country that manage to sell in enough volume (locally and online) to knock a few dollars off (ie: SpeedTechRC, UltimateHobbies). Next level from that is TowerHobbies who only sell via online/mail-order and even at that, I don't consider them the greatest bargain. The cheapest I've found is in Hong Kong's hobby district. Example pricing from an M04L kit:

$115 Local Hobby Shop (special order, not in stock, before 8% tax)

$ 95 Tower Hobbies ($10 shipping)

$ 65 Hong Kong shops

If you can arrange Tower to ship it in time and still find their pricing acceptable, then the issue of passing airport security would mean leaving ANY assembling tools behind (pliers, screwdrivers, snippers, flammable paints, etc). Ditching the box and having to explain unidentifiable parts to the security laymen would be just as bothersome.

I'd leave the box along with it's shrink-wrap intact and have it accompany CHECKED Luggage... not CARRY-ON. Carry-on is subject to greater scrutiny. Visitors I've sent through outgoing international flights had their checked luggage screened by a bomb-sniffing machine. One or more pads get wiped across and inside the luggage surface, then placed in an analyzer. From there it goes on its merry way. Different airports might or might not include an X-Ray scan. Carry-on luggage get X-Ray'd and if anything looks suspicious, the passenger is pulled out of the line (queue) where the carry-on is hand-inspected and tested with the bomb-sniffer. At some point, they might ask you to remove the shrink-wrap. I consider that preferable to previously disposing that shrink-wrap where security might suspect you've snuck something in the already-opened box.

Most of the small electric parts in a modern Tamiya kit wouldn't raise much suspicion. I'd avoid buying any BATTERY PACKS though as it would look pretty bad under an X-Ray.

For residents RETURNING to the US, they are allowed to bring back $400 worth of items without being subjected to duties/taxes/customs. I've no clue how the UK handles that, but the "bargain" might disappear if they levy similar taxes/penalties.

[tamiyarcguy]

Carter you need to go to a better hobby shop

My shop has almost all of our cars below retail. I think the owner takes the standpoint of I might make a buck on the kit but I will make 100% profit on the parts as many shops do.

G

[quincey]

i carried a nib wild willy2 and a nib mini t and over $500 of vintage spares in 2 suitcases and i never got searched or stopped[].

i can only guess that they would know what a suspicios device would look like in a case[?]

[Wireless]

I came back from the USA nearly 2 weeks ago and brought an NIB Twin Detonator with me. No problems. As for price, it cost me £65 from the not-so-local hobby store. Bargain...!

Roop

[Tipsy]

I think you can bring back £140 of goods from the USA each, before customs kick up a fuss

[WillyChang]

Don't put bubblewrap in your suitcase. It looks like 1000s of pills on the xray screen that begs investigation.

Don't put 540 motors in your handluggage. It makes big black blobs on the xray screen that need in-depth exploration.

oh... don't ask. [:I]

[DJTheo]

Yes, motors in handluggage are a no-no due to their high magnetic field, I also found it out in 87 with a Techigold [8)], I always put the kits in suitcase after removing kitbox as it takes too much space [V], never had a problem with them.

Cheers

[c_a_r_t_e_r]

Cheers guys.

I was definitely thinking of the checked suitcase route.

I like the idea of ditching the kit box. I could cram loads of part bags/socks/pants inside the bodyshell, etc... and in a worst case, suitcase opening, customs scenerio - small bags of plastic parts generally look like they have much less value than a glossy kit-box with artwork.[?]

I'll see if I can rustle up a bargain! Agree that the HK sellers might potentially be cheaper, but with $44 shipping costs, and the risk of import duty, it should be cheaper to bring a kit back from the USA really.

Tim

[Neil_S2000]

quote:Originally posted by CarterTG

I wouldn't consider buying a Tamiya in the US to be any 'super-cheap' bargain. Most hobby shops are only willing to peg their kits at suggested retail prices. The next cheaper scenario would be stumbling across a very small handful of shops scattered throughout the country that manage to sell in enough volume (locally and online) to knock a few dollars off (ie: SpeedTechRC, UltimateHobbies). Next level from that is TowerHobbies who only sell via online/mail-order and even at that, I don't consider them the greatest bargain. The cheapest I've found is in Hong Kong's hobby district. Example pricing from an M04L kit:

$115 Local Hobby Shop (special order, not in stock, before 8% tax)

$ 95 Tower Hobbies ($10 shipping)

$ 65 Hong Kong shops

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Ah, you're forgetting the exchange rate, at the moment it stands at about 1.8 dollars to the pound! With no shipping to worry about that makes for bargain buys.

[WillyChang]

If you're gunna be staying put for a week in any 1 spot, why not buy from Tower Hobbies? Pay for the overnight delivery and it'll usually arrive in 3 days (yeah, go figure).

Don't forget too about State Taxes. Buy retail in the same state and you'll pay taxes, but mailorder from a different state and you don't. Sometimes that 3/6/7% tax is more than the cost of postage.

[quincey]

i would also think about buying "good" electronic speedo's as they are nearly half the price over there,i wish i did[] you can get a novak super rooster for about £65 brand new[][] and there,s the new novak super duty just out over there.[xx(]

[irenL]

not sure if this will help or not, just sharing:

when I moved to the states I brought along my assembled buggy in a duffle bag. Inside cabin material. the car's still in its' box, but this was one of those newer tamiya box that's only as big as the body (suspension arms disassembled). Motor still attached and such. No problem with x-ray.

Then again I was a 16 back then travelling alone halfway around the world in 1996.

I wouldn't ditch the box. I suggest simply removing the contents and blister cards elsewhere and flatten the box. Those box covers fits fine in the suit compartment of a 48" suitcase. The body, pack them into a duffle bag and pack that with t-shirts or the like. the resr... in the suitcase, they're usually sturdy enough.

I'd have no idea about how tight the international baggage security is these days though, haven't been doing international flight for the last...5 years.