Important information from Kotare for American & Australian customers regards Bf 109K-4

[Kagemusha]

It sounds a bit like when pre-brexit buying kits from overseas, everything over £19 was subject to a charge, which ParcelForce billed the buyer when it was at the delivery depot, if it wasn't paid it got sent back, what might come into play regards US citizens is if the customs slip on the parcel required it to state the country of origin, so even though Kotare is from New Zealand, the bulk of the product was made in China.

 

Since brexit everything seems to come through without any charges, probably due to cuts in personnel. 

[LSP_Ray]

24 minutes ago, Kagemusha said:

It sounds a bit like when pre-brexit buying kits from overseas, everything over £19 was subject to a charge, which ParcelForce billed the buyer when it was at the delivery depot, if it wasn't paid it got sent back, what might come into play regards US citizens is if the customs slip on the parcel required it to state the country of origin, so even though Kotare is from New Zealand, the bulk of the product was made in China.

 

Since brexit everything seems to come through without any charges, probably due to cuts in personnel. 

I am not sure about that. Like I said, Chinese companies in Viet Nam were labeling Chinese stuff as made in Viet Nam even though 99% of it was made in China. Kotare is doing a % of the work in NZ, so when does it become a NZ product? I am not sure. Note at this point there will be a tariff on NZ goods at some point (not as much as China by far) so a little unclear right now. I do think once the first couple of countries reach a deal it will be like dominoes falling so we will have to see how it goes.

[CRAZY IVAN5]

12 minutes ago, LSP_Ray said:

I am not sure about that. Like I said, Chinese companies in Viet Nam were labeling Chinese stuff as made in Viet Nam even though 99% of it was made in China. Kotare is doing a % of the work in NZ, so when does it become a NZ product? I am not sure. Note at this point there will be a tariff on NZ goods at some point (not as much as China by far) so a little unclear right now. I do think once the first couple of countries reach a deal it will be like dominoes falling so we will have to see how it goes.

Yeah I reckon we'll have to "ride it out". There's A LOT of model companies as we all know that are going to be caught up in this. We are also going to have to deal with the Walmarts and Targets[among others] too. Things are going to get a little a bare on the shelves. I don't know where the powers that be think this is going, but the stashes are going to get used properly for the time being. Personally I don't think tariffs work but what do I know. I do know one thing I ain't even going to pay $230+ for a -109 anyone's -109 and I'm a -109 fan. The DBMK sea fury ,well, that MIGHT be a different matter ,maybe.

[LSP_Mike]

And to think I only have 200 kits left...

It might be a bit, but things will get sorted out.

[Dave Williams]

2 hours ago, CRAZY IVAN5 said:

I did read it and that's seems to be spreading it a little thin. So even if just the box art was done in China then that would be enough , i was a fearin' that,what a mess!

Aren’t the kits actually molded in china?  Do the kit boxes say Made in China?

[LSP_Ray]

But you could also say the kits were created in NZ. I guess it all depends on how much the company can bend the description and still be within the trade rules.

[Archimedes]

On 4/29/2025 at 3:52 AM, Zola25 said:

Will you not just have to pay the import tariff yourself when the package arrives at customs.

I honestly don't know what will happen. So, maybe you are right. Things change daily. 

 

The tariffs as defined today are that it appears that it is the original place of manufacture that drives the U.S. tariff rate.

 

So, if I am asked to pay 145% on top of the $109.00 I paid for the kit, or it will be sent back to New Zealand, I will not pay that because that would total a further $167.05. 

 

I'll send Mr Alexander a polite note telling him Kotare can keep my $109.00 because I want Kotare to do really well and, when they receive the returned kit they can resell it elsewhere to cover off the costs Kotare will have no doubt incurred on the postage. 

 

Kind regards,

Paul

[ScoobyDoo]

I got this email a few weeks ago from Corgi, I think it answers some of the questions in this thread:

 

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!

 

Hello Gary   We expect you've seen the news regarding tariffs on goods entering the USA from abroad. These new rules currently apply from the 2nd of May 2025.  As it stands, because the Corgi Model Club are based in the UK and our die-cast models are manufactured in China, in the USA you’re being faced with a 125% price increase. This only applies to US based collectors – there is no increase if you live elsewhere in the world. By Federal Law, from the 2nd of May 2025, all customers who live in the USA will have to pay the tax and duties these new tariffs represent. The 2nd of May 2025 date is stipulated as being when the goods enter the USA – not when they reach you at your home. For Corgi Model Club members who are currently charged $29.99 (plus £7.99 shipping) for a model, the total will increase to $85.46. Unfortunately we cannot cover this additional cost as our margins are just too small. The situation saddens us greatly but is totally outside of our control. Note that if there are any models in the Corgi Model Club collection you were intending to purchase, if you place an order quickly, you will avoid the tariff increase. Our deliveries to the USA take around 7 to 14days, which means that if you order in the next couple of days, the models will arrive before the tariff kicks in! For further advice please contact our Customer Services team on +1855 3000 085 or by email at enquiries@corgimodelclubUSA.com The only positive thing we can think of is that because the tariff situation has been rather fluid, we hope to be able to bring you better news soon. In the meantime all pricing on www.corgimodelclubUSA.com will remain as it is – pre-tariffs – so please bear this in mind. The cost at checkout will therefore not be the final price you will pay, as after the tariffs begin on 2nd May 2025you will be liable for the additional 125%. This will be collected from you by the delivery company and paid to the US Government. The additional amount does NOT come to us. We wish you all the best ~ and please keep following us on Facebook!   Warmest regards, Corgi Model Club Team

[Michael931080]

That's insane!

[Archimedes]

Given the post about Corgi product, I can only imagine it will be the same for Kotare and every other manufacturer who makes kits (or anything else) in China. 

 

That is the end of me buying any further kits in the USA. I have plenty that I already possess that will keep me amused.  I am sure I am not alone in that view. 

 

Kind regards,

Paul

[CRAZY IVAN5]

10 minutes ago, Archimedes said:

Given the post about Corgi product, I can only imagine it will be the same for Kotare and every other manufacturer who makes kits (or anything else) in China. 

 

That is the end of me buying any further kits in the USA. I have plenty that I already possess that will keep me amused.  I am sure I am not alone in that view. 

 

Kind regards,

Paul

With the way things are going ,there won't be much left here TO buy.

[blackbetty]

when the US market breaks away there will be not many more kits made at all, at least in 32nd scale, so no reasen to think it wont affect us outside of the US

nice job!

[CRAZY IVAN5]

About the only "bright spot" for me is that I'll still be able to get the new Revell Meteror and Hunter T.7, oh and the new Sea Hurricane. While there will be a tariff it won't be the smash mouth 145%.

[Kenneth]

So if Kotare or Corgi Model Club sends an individual parcel to a US customer, do they then have to make a declaration on the shipping label where the product inside was actually manufactured? Which a US Customs Officer or shipping company employee then actually has to read, look up the tariff and do the maths? What a bureaucratic nightmare 😳 If so, has it always been like that?

 

I‘m in Germany (EU) and recently located some must-have etch parts in Switzerland (non-EU). Shipping and customs fees (payable on my door step to the DHL employee) by far exceeded their price 🙄 Long live free trade!

Edited May 1 by Kenneth

[Borsos]

5 hours ago, blackbetty said:

when the US market breaks away there will be not many more kits made at all, at least in 32nd scale, so no reasen to think it wont affect us outside of the US

nice job!

Well said. My thoughts exactly.