How much!!

Boy you guys get done over. Our import rate is a 10% GST. But I've never heard of anybody having that imposed for low level goods purchased on ebay or internet stores (about $300).

Andrew

Spike190

Thanks Keilau, I know I did rather overstate the price difference but I was originally looking at the Velocity which I had seen in the UK at £163 ($249) and at Coast Airbrush for £60 ($92) which was a bit of an eye opener. I've since found the Velocity at £137 in the UK. I've checked out the  Harder & Steenbeck before and the model I like is £125 hence my original interest in a Velocity at £60. Thanks for your help and the links.

Cheers...

Before I part with my money, I would like to hold a H&S Evolution and a Badger Velocity in my hand, feel how it feels and test the trigger. The H&S Evolution will be quite a bit more expensive in the US.

Thanks Keilau, I know I did rather overstate the price difference but I was originally looking at the Velocity which I had seen in the UK at £163 ($249) and at Coast Airbrush for £60 ($92) which was a bit of an eye opener. I've since found the Velocity at £137 in the UK. I've checked out the  Harder & Steenbeck before and the model I like is £125 hence my original interest in a Velocity at £60. Thanks for your help and the links.

Cheers...

Spike190

Gents, it would appear that I could buy a new Badger airbrush in the USA for about a third of what I would pay here in the UK . Has anyone an approximate idea of the shipping cost from the States over to the UK and any other possible charges I could get hit with?

Just an idea would be great.

Cheers...

Yes, with all the high import tax, VAT and the cost of shipping overseas (from US to UK), the Badger will cost more. I found this Badger 200-3 kit at the Wonderland Toys in UK for £56.00 (~US$84). But it is not 3 times more.

It is hard to compare the price of Badger retail packages because they have so many variations. Typical "deluxe kit" goes between $65-75, but you can get the Badger 200 airbrush only for as little as $44.

England is inside EU and you pay a lot less for products within the EU boundary. For example, the Harder & Steenbeek Revolution Solo can be had from Little-cars.com for £85.00 including VAT. It is cheaper than any US price before tax. Quality wise, this inexpensive airbrush available in UK is as good as any you can get anywhere around the world. It is definitely a better value for you than the similar Iwata from the same web site.

Granted, this H&S may not be a good selection if you need to spray a large quantity of paint on a textured or fabric type material. But for modeling, it is a good fit.

The airbrush is one of the tools that needs replacement parts. The needle and nozzle can wear out over time or get damaged during cleaning. It is better if you buy an airbrush that has local support at reasonable cost. If you must order overseas, order a few spare needles and nozzles at the same time. Just my 2 cents.

Bgrigg

Mike, you mean at the FRONT of the trigger, don't you? I find it quite useless, the screw isn't long enough to do much, and it doesn't really lock the trigger into position.

Yes that would be correct Bill. I am at work and was going by memory and it's the first thing to go you know.

Yes I never use that thing either as I have a brain to tell me I have pulled back the trigger to the proper place for the line width the airbrush is producing.

Mike, you mean at the FRONT of the trigger, don't you? I find it quite useless, the screw isn't long enough to do much, and it doesn't really lock the trigger into position.

Daywalker

The Velocity does have a needle stop, whereas the 100 does not.  I just bought myself a Velocity a week ago, and I really like it.

Actually the Badger 100LG does have a "needle stop" it is a preset screw that you tighten or loosen at the back of the trigger that keeps the needle in that position and creates a single-action out of it.

Wow guy's thanks for all the great replies, I'm pretty sure that if I choose to order from the States then I would save at least some money. I have an in built gut feeling for getting ripped off and I find it happening more and more over here in the UK , much as I love the place!

Thanks again for all the advice, very helpful.

Cheers... 

Phil_H

Hey Bill,

I'm pretty sure the Velocity has an adjustable stop knob on the end of the handle.

Well, I've not played with one, and I'm not sure I'm even clear as to why I would want that feature on a double action. IF I want precise line width control I pull out my 200-20 detail single action.

Out of curiosity, does anyone used all the bells & whistles on a regular basis?  I outfited my Velocity with an external MAC vale.  It has a needle stop.   I even got myself a .33 setup for versatility.

But after experimenting and playing with the brush... I use the basic brush as it was shipped to me.  I'm not even using the needle stop.

I think those features are nice.    But ...

The Velocity does have a needle stop, whereas the 100 does not.  I just bought myself a Velocity a week ago, and I really like it.

Have it sent as a gift with insurance to cover lost or damaged mail. Take it one step further by wrapping it up in a fancy package with a birthday card, most customs won't fuss with inspection at that point and should just let it go. Even round down the value so less duty or tax is required.

Your gross price for the item from the US, if you were unlucky enougfh to have it checked would be;

((Cost price + Carriage) x Import Duty) x VAT

The commodity code for airbrushes is 8424200000, which is currently 1.7%. So a $100 airbrush with $15 P+P would work out at £137.42.

Hey Bill,

I'm pretty sure the Velocity has an adjustable stop knob on the end of the handle.

HawkeyeHobbies

As long as the parcel goes through the customs entity there is always a chance that the parcel will be inspected (paperwork) and possibly opened to review the contents...then they can and will access any VAT. Since they have no way of going back to the shipper of the item, they turn their attention the receiver who IS under their jurisdiction. Nothing like being on a gov't watch list. Having all of your parcels scrutinized.

In Canada, Customs can charge you $10 for the trouble of inspecting your package! Yet, we don't have the ability to complain about such things as Customs is "necessary for the security of Canada". Sounds a bit like taxation without representation to me.

Spike190

 

Bgrigg:

 

No needle stop, freehand is freehand!

 

 

Ohhhhh heck, the velocity has a needle stop I think? any others in the badger range?

Cheers...

Maybe I'm not getting what you mean by needle stop. AFAIK only the 100LG has a needle stop, that is a screw mechanism that "pre-sets" the needle position. The 100LG does so by setting a minimum position, rather than a maximum, and frankly I've never used mine. In fact <looks>, both of mine are missing the little screw!

As long as the parcel goes through the customs entity there is always a chance that the parcel will be inspected (paperwork) and possibly opened to review the contents...then they can and will access any VAT. Since they have no way of going back to the shipper of the item, they turn their attention the receiver who IS under their jurisdiction. Nothing like being on a gov't watch list. Having all of your parcels scrutinized.

Bgrigg

No needle stop, freehand is freehand!

Ohhhhh heck, the velocity has a needle stop I think? any others in the badger range?

Cheers...

No needle stop, freehand is freehand!

Bgrigg, I think the patriot would be the best choice, really just want it for spraying nicer mottle and freehand  soft edge camo with a bit more control. Does the patriot have a needle stop?

Brickshooter, thanks for the input, I've no experience with ebay but it is something to consider when I decide to buy, thanks.

Cheers....

I wonder whether buying the brush off of EBAY will circumvent any duties and taxes.

LOL!

One thing the EU has over NAFTA, is that if it's made in the EU there is ZERO duty on imported products, unlike here, where there is still duty paid.

Canada has different taxes per province, but most have a Provincial Sales Tax, and then we have the Federal Goods and Services Tax. The Feds are pushing each province into having a Harmonized Sales Tax, so there isn't two bureaucracies having to collect all that lovely money. Doesn't "Harmonized" sound wonderful? Makes you want to pay it, doesn't it?

Brigg and Spike,

It is so great to hear how much it sucks to try and get items in the "Great White North," and the UK. Seeing as our current politicians are doing everything in their power to make the USA like both of those countries. There has been talk of a VAT for us here.

On another note! If they made the system easy for us to understand they wouldn't have the job security or that extra pleasure in making us squirm!

Travis/STFD637

Mike, I own two 100LG (one medium and one fine), and while I love them both, if I was buying a new airbrush, I would go for either the 105 Patriot or the Velocity, simply because those are newer designs. Which YOU should buy is whatever works best for you.

Tough question, though, isn't it? What I can tell you is the Velocity is a fine line airbrush, it's not going to be good at laying down a broad swath of paint. It's going to be best between a hairline and 1/2". If you do a lot of fine work, than there's your answer.

However, if you are more like the average modeler, than I would say the Patriot is a better all around choice. It won't do hairlines, but it will do a pencil width, which is smaller than I need! It will also put down a broader stripe for flood coats.

Whatever your choice, you will need an air hose, Badger doesn't fit the other brands. You shouldn't have any trouble sourcing an adapter for your compressor (if needed) locally, as those are pretty common the world wide.

I just wrote a reply and IE went pear shaped on me!!

Start again...

Thanks for the speedy reply guy's. Bgrigg, thanks for the links, it does seem a bit confusing. I got stung for a wingnut wings kit last month and I'm sure they pulled the figure out the air as it didn't match any others I've since found on various forums. Maybe Killjoys idea is the way to go, as you said I ought to be able to save quite a bit of cash.

Killjoy, I don't know much about the Badger range as I'd not really looked at them knowing I'd have to get a different hose or adaptors ( or so I believe). However when I spotted the potential saving I had a quick look, Velocity, Patriot 105 or a 100 seem to be what I would go for, I'm only browsing at present.

Once again thanks, this forums great!

Cheers...

Here's a link to the UK Import Duty website. I tried to wrap my head around it, but it's not the easiest thing to deal with! There doesn't appear to be a "correct" answer, but I did dig deep enough to find that you may have to pay the VAT based on the price of the goods as sold in the UK and not the declared or actual value. There is a total of six different methods to calculate the duty and taxes, and you may have to pay on more than one! They certainly are protectionist in the EU!

Follow up, it would cost $13.95 to ship USPS priority mail, arriving in 6-10 days from the US for a package 4 lbs in weight or less, which an airbrush would certainly be.  Which model are you looking for?

Or if you know someone stateside, you could paypal them the money, and have them ship it to you thus avoiding all the 'extra' fees!

Just saying.....

Dixie Art includes shipping for all Badgers in their advertised prices. It's a $12 US up charge, but doesn't include import duty or VAT. You will have to check with your local bureaucrats on the duty, and expect to pay the full 17.5% VAT.

I live in Canada, and bought a Badger 200-20 online. Customs dinged me $25 for a $45 airbrush! You should still be able to save lots of money, seeing how the Renegade Velocity retails for £153.24 (including VAT) at Everything Airbrush.