Importing Lego Sets from the US?

[superpabz]

I am sure this question has been asked before, but I can't find anywhere.

We all know the differences between UK and US prices are staggering, but Lego have cornered the market slightly as none of the big US websites - Amazon, TRU etc will ship outside the US. Does anyone know any reliable US retailers who will ship to the UK? Ebay is OK, but difficult to find a seller who has all the latest sets - a bulk order tis the only way to save!

Would be keen to find out.

Cheers

[Starwars4J]

None that I know of, but I'm sure some US member here would be willing to help you out

[Dfenz]

If you check out Bricklink you will find a large number of US professional sellers that will ship new sets to the UK. As Lego releases some sets in Europe before the US you might not be able to get all new sets from one US location just yet. I've purchased from a lot of sellers on that site without any difficulties (just stick to the high feedback guys). Postage from the US tends to be reasonable but watch out for customs duty. If the parcel is large/ valuable enough and is inspected by customs the duty and VAT will outweigh any saving!

David

[Grand Moff Viceroy]

I could always buy it for you, I live in the US :-D I am serious.

[jawa]

Postage from the US tends to be reasonable but watch out for customs duty. If the parcel is large/ valuable enough and is inspected by customs the duty and VAT will outweigh any saving!

From your experience with custom tax I guess you do know what you are talking about. *y*

I could always buy it for you, I live in the US :-D I am serious.

we appreciate your help. buy our own government is really tight about import, and believe me, they are tough too.

I am sure this question has been asked before, but I can't find anywhere.

We all know the differences between UK and US prices are staggering, but Lego have cornered the market slightly as none of the big US websites - Amazon, TRU etc will ship outside the US. Does anyone know any reliable US retailers who will ship to the UK? Ebay is OK, but difficult to find a seller who has all the latest sets - a bulk order tis the only way to save!

Would be keen to find out.

Cheers

if you want some advice , I have got the only piece of information you want.

I will tell you my story:

Ionce ordered 3 boxes of lego from UK, the batwing, the y wing and the x wing.

the total cost was 93GBP (70GBP + 23GBP shipping)

a week later after I have paid I received a royal mail card stating I have a parcel and could only get it if I paid an additional 37GBP for custom duty tax!

*sing* *sing* *sing*

I feel so bitter and frustrated and since then, I never buy from the US (or any other country again).

my advice, just wait for the UK sale, the import tax will make you bleed (literally).

Edited July 26, 2007 by jawa

[mutley777]

I once ordered 3 boxes of lego from UK, the batwing, the y wing and the x wing.

the total cost was 93GBP (70GBP + 23GBP shipping)

a week later after I have paid I received a royal mail card stating I have a parcel and could only get it if I paid an additional 37GBP for custom duty tax!

*sing* *sing* *sing*

I feel so bitter and frustrated and since then, I never buy from the US (or any other country again).

my advice, just wait for the UK sale, the import tax will make you bleed (literally).

There are way to get around these thing jawa. :-) Not to long ago i ordered 6 sets from the states of Bricklink that were all new in sealed boxes. Their value would have easily been close to what you bought. The great thing about BL is most sellers will help you if you want a request. I asked for a the sets to be opened the boxes folded flat and all the parts left in the clear baggies. Everything came through fine with no duty. The duty people only look for new sealed boxes as you are then seen to be importing for possable re-sale. I got caught out like you did first time but it did not stop me. However as said above the sales in the UK can be just as good, but the best sets sell out so fast! |-/

[ellerb]

There are way to get around these thing jawa. :-) Not to long ago i ordered 6 sets from the states of Bricklink that were all new in sealed boxes. Their value would have easily been close to what you bought. The great thing about BL is most sellers will help you if you want a request. I asked for a the sets to be opened the boxes folded flat and all the parts left in the clear baggies. Everything came through fine with no duty. The duty people only look for new sealed boxes as you are then seen to be importing for possable re-sale. I got caught out like you did first time but it did not stop me. However as said above the sales in the UK can be just as good, but the best sets sell out so fast! |-/

I ship USA shop at home sets to a friend overseas several times a year. By opening the sets, and flattening the boxes you save space. Plus the sets are now used and have less value than an unopened set. Unfortunately our Post Office prices just rose about a month ago. This makes it less affordable to ship overseas. If you are paying three times the price of a US set price, it is worth it to ship. If it is only 1.5 to 2 times the US price, shipping may negate savings.

Of course there are always exclusive sets found in one market or another so it is good to have friends in many countries willing to ship to you. Recent examples include the flag accessory pack that comes with 10176 Royal Kings Castle (Classic Castle) and 5998 Vladek which were sold in Europe and not the US (although the Vladek was a LEGO Club gift).

Ben

[highlandcattle]

I could always buy it for you, I live in the US :-D I am serious.

Would anybody be willing to buy these two sets from the S@H for me, they have become unavailable in europe and are now on sale in the U.S., I would pay for all the shipping and paypal costs and everything. And don't mind flat boxes as long as they are included.

It are these three :

http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?...70&cn=377&d=328://http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/2x Pro...70&cn=377&d=328://http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Produc...70&cn=377&d=328://http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Produc...70&cn=377&d=328://http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Produc...70&cn=377&d=328://http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Produc...70&cn=377&d=328

2X http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Product.aspx?...15&cn=377&d=328

Already thanks in advance if you are willing to help me out here :)

PM me or mail me at thomas.vanengelen at yahoo.com

Edited July 27, 2007 by highlandcattle

[jawa]

I am sure this question has been asked before, but I can't find anywhere.

We all know the differences between UK and US prices are staggering, but Lego have cornered the market slightly as none of the big US websites - Amazon, TRU etc will ship outside the US. Does anyone know any reliable US retailers who will ship to the UK? Ebay is OK, but difficult to find a seller who has all the latest sets - a bulk order tis the only way to save!

Would be keen to find out.

Cheers

superpabz. you can give it a go. I mean, it is not me who is going to pay the expensive custom.

you may get away with it once, even twice, maybe a thrid time.....

but everytime when you place your order.....

just think..........

"is it this time, is this the time when I get caught by theUK custom duty department and get charged a high tax?"

take care.

[superpabz]

Thanks for all the advice - I know about the customs issue and I know it can be hit and miss. I have imported 3 lots of lego via ebay and not had any charge. I think customs are more interested in the unopened stuff (as said) and particularly any packages bought from a retailer (e.g. if you could buy from Amazon I am pretty sure it would get stopped at customs). Was just thinking about it because I recently got 2 brand new Imperial Landing crafts from the US delivered for

[Doctor Sinister]

My local Post Office has a sign up lately that says if you are collecting a parcel on which you have to pay duty, you now have to pay an additional