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Topic starter
04/10/2026 7:56 am
I came across an Ave 43 model I've been looking for but it's in Spain. Made in China, of course.
I'm just wondering what I would be getting into with customs and any other fees. I'm trying to avoid surprises.
04/10/2026 9:49 am
one small box from the UK, with an old toy car made in Denmark. Was undervalued on form but had to pay sales tax on it on ebay... No tariff attached. Made in China could be completely different though....
04/10/2026 11:56 am
It depends on the listing sometimes. Read the listing, does it indicate duty fees paid at purchase or before delivery. Sellers on eBay go both ways. The country of origin for the purchase dictates the tariffs charged, not usually where the model was made. My experience goes all over the place with these, although lately it is much smoother than before. The last few, have been charged prior to delivery, the shipping company contacts me via email, I make payment on their site and the model is delivered. As I said, fees vary based on the country. I'm not sure about Spain, because they are one of the countries that I had issues with, in the beginning of this nightmare. I haven't bought anything from there lately. Although, I found a couple of Mustang models I'd like to have. Good luck. Generally, it should be a smooth transaction, albeit with a few more steps involved.
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
Topic starter
04/10/2026 12:13 pm
@jcarnutz Yes, I did check the listing and it said I'd have to pay the shipping company vs. eBay. I'd prefer the other way for certainty.
Thank you for your input, John.
04/10/2026 6:06 pm
I buy from China frequently and they include all customs costs, but they do charge VAT at 19.9%, which is the German VAT.
Topic starter
05/10/2026 8:02 am
I went back to the eBay listing and saw on close up that 2 of the tires on the model look flat/melted. That's an easy decision now, PASS.
12/10/2026 12:30 pm
I received two from Italy recently. The tariff cost was apparently built into the shipping cost, so things went relatively smoothly. But of course, not cheaply.
15/10/2026 5:28 pm
Some nice models show up on eBay for example but all seem to have tariffs attached. I've readjusted all my searches to be "US Only". It's too bad!
16/10/2026 9:47 am
@l-m-delage I've had to do the same, cutting out the US and UK from my searches. When we buy inside Germany, on eBay, the sales tax (19.9%-VAT) is included in the price, but VAT is a separate charge for us, when we buy outside the country. And, then there's eBay Global, which is a nightmare unto itself.
Christopher Moroni and John Kuvakas reacted
21/10/2026 11:45 am
As far as taxes, fees, etc., I seem to have it a little better than you. I'm charged a state sales tax of .0635 on the item but also on the shipping fee. Every state in the USA is different. Some tax the shipping, some tack on a local tax in addition to a state tax. There are five US states that do not charge a "sales tax" but oftentimes there are other fees.
GDH reacted