UK buying from BBTS

CollectorCray · 03-27-2016, 06:23 PM

Hello,
I am fairly new to collecting and I was wondering if any UK based collectors could help me out.

Has anybody from the UK bought anything from bigbadtoystore.com before and can you tell me if there is any import charges added when getting figures shipped over from the US? Or is there anywhere else i can buy similar products that doesn't have import charges that is reliable.

Thanks.

Panthro1978 · 03-28-2016, 12:31 AM

If I recall correctly, you will have to pay import duty (and an £8 Royal Mail handling fee) on anything over £15 in value coming into the country from outside the EU.

CollectorCray · 03-28-2016, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panthro1978

If I recall correctly, you will have to pay import duty (and an £8 Royal Mail handling fee) on anything over £15 in value coming into the country from outside the EU.

Thanks, its so hard to get a lot of the import figures in the UK, such as S.H. Figuarts and Figma.

Primacron · 03-28-2016, 07:53 AM

I used to get all of my stuff from BBTS - their preorder and pile of loot functionality is excellent, a few years ago it wasn't too bad, but the last few times of ordering I got absolutely fucked over on customs charges. If your order goes into several boxes you get charged separately for each box. Having 'BBTS' plastered over the boxes attracts customs officials like moths to a flame!

I'd suggest using Amazon.com for widely available stuff - you get pre charged on customs charges, but avoid the extra charge. If you're after Figuarts and Figma stuff Hobby Link Japan might be the way to go. You have to be quick off the mark getting your preorders in though.

CollectorCray · 03-28-2016, 11:51 AM

Thanks for the help. I have ordered figma from amazon before but i got charged about £18 import and had to go to the post office to pay it. This was from japan though so don't know if that makes a difference. The only real place i have found that sells some figuarts is forbidden planet which isnt the best.

Primacron · 03-28-2016, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CollectorCray

Thanks for the help. I have ordered figma from amazon before but i got charged about £18 import and had to go to the post office to pay it. This was from japan though so don't know if that makes a difference. The only real place i have found that sells some figuarts is forbidden planet which isnt the best.

Yeah, I think there is a difference between the Japanese and US Amazons, certainly ordering from US Amazon is better now. It's a bit random with marketplace sellers though - whether they ship to the UK.

Kapow (UK based) might also be worth checking out to see if they sell the stuff you're after.

ukmu · 03-28-2016, 01:15 PM

If you can find a U.S. arker to buy it and reship and declare "GIFT" you can avoid import duties all together.

Also, contact order 66 toys, kapow toys or any other big online UK shops. Maybe they can find it for you.

What exactly are you looking for? Let us help you find them as well. No need to go it alone mate.

ukmu · 03-28-2016, 01:19 PM

Also, buying from Asian importers avoids most of the duty as well
bon.voila | eBay
There are several on ebay

CollectorCray · 03-29-2016, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukmu

If you can find a U.S. arker to buy it and reship and declare "GIFT" you can avoid import duties all together.

Also, contact order 66 toys, kapow toys or any other big online UK shops. Maybe they can find it for you.

What exactly are you looking for? Let us help you find them as well. No need to go it alone mate.

I mostly buy S.H. Figuarts but i buy pretty much anything i like. Basically i have been buying from forbbiden planet in the uk but they arent the most reliable. I have had a figuarts pre ordered for ages and its release date was months ago and still havent received it, plus they dont seem to get everything. So am tryin to find the best places to buy from and from what i have seen places like bigbadtoystore and amazon are the best. I just dont want to get stung with import charges.

Jimmyo · 03-29-2016, 12:44 PM

You can't guarantee avoiding customs, legit companies won't mark down packages.

I use Ami Ami and Hlj for my figuarts and most things get through if you use the slow shipping as I guess they have so many parcels to scan that a few slip by.

You will get hit from BBTS I have ordered £1000s from them and 90% have had additional charges.

Amazon US are good as you can pay the taxes up front and avoids the shitty royal mail fees

03-28-2016, 07:53 AM	#4
Primacron Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 986	I used to get all of my stuff from BBTS - their preorder and pile of loot functionality is excellent, a few years ago it wasn't too bad, but the last few times of ordering I got absolutely fucked over on customs charges. If your order goes into several boxes you get charged separately for each box. Having 'BBTS' plastered over the boxes attracts customs officials like moths to a flame! I'd suggest using Amazon.com for widely available stuff - you get pre charged on customs charges, but avoid the extra charge. If you're after Figuarts and Figma stuff Hobby Link Japan might be the way to go. You have to be quick off the mark getting your preorders in though. __________________ My collection thread: http://www.toyark.com/call-primative...lection-35050/

03-28-2016, 01:02 PM	#6
Primacron Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 986	Quote: Originally Posted by CollectorCray Thanks for the help. I have ordered figma from amazon before but i got charged about £18 import and had to go to the post office to pay it. This was from japan though so don't know if that makes a difference. The only real place i have found that sells some figuarts is forbidden planet which isnt the best. Yeah, I think there is a difference between the Japanese and US Amazons, certainly ordering from US Amazon is better now. It's a bit random with marketplace sellers though - whether they ship to the UK. Kapow (UK based) might also be worth checking out to see if they sell the stuff you're after. __________________ My collection thread: http://www.toyark.com/call-primative...lection-35050/

03-28-2016, 01:15 PM	#7
ukmu Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: United Kingom Posts: 4,295	If you can find a U.S. arker to buy it and reship and declare "GIFT" you can avoid import duties all together. Also, contact order 66 toys, kapow toys or any other big online UK shops. Maybe they can find it for you. What exactly are you looking for? Let us help you find them as well. No need to go it alone mate. __________________

03-28-2016, 01:19 PM	#8
ukmu Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: United Kingom Posts: 4,295	Also, buying from Asian importers avoids most of the duty as well bon.voila \| eBay There are several on ebay __________________

03-29-2016, 12:44 PM	#10
Jimmyo Under a tiny thumb Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: London Posts: 772	You can't guarantee avoiding customs, legit companies won't mark down packages. I use Ami Ami and Hlj for my figuarts and most things get through if you use the slow shipping as I guess they have so many parcels to scan that a few slip by. You will get hit from BBTS I have ordered £1000s from them and 90% have had additional charges. Amazon US are good as you can pay the taxes up front and avoids the shitty royal mail fees __________________

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