Gunpla ships from Japan to Germany (Hobbylink Japan)?
I'm relatively new to the hobby and saw that the Gunpla on the O-Gundam website are about €10 more expensive than on Hobbylink Japan. So I was wondering how much shipping (to Germany), customs, etc., would cost, and whether it would be worth it if I wanted to buy multiple Gunpla? It would be great if you shared your experiences with me.
Many thanks in advance.
It’s understandable that you’re wondering if it’s worth ordering Gunpla from Japan to Germany, especially if prices at Hobbylink Japan are cheaper than at O-Gundam. Importing goods from abroad usually involves additional costs such as shipping fees and customs fees.
The shipping costs depend on various factors such as the weight of the shipment, the type of shipping and the destination country. It is advisable to check the shipping costs on the Hobbylink Japan website before placing an order. As a rule, they offer different shipping options so that you can choose one suitable for you.
With regard to customs fees, there is a free allowance of 22 euros in Germany. This means that goods which do not exceed a value of 22 euros are duty-free. If the value of your order exceeds this amount, you must pay customs fees. The exact amount of customs fees depends on the nature of the goods and the duty rate. It is advisable to inform yourself about the current customs rates to get an idea of the possible costs.
Whether it is worth ordering several Gunpla from Japan depends ultimately on your personal preferences and the total price (including shipping and customs fees). It can be worthwhile if you want to have certain models that are difficult to get in Germany or if you want to benefit from the cheaper prices. However, you should also consider the additional costs and the effort for the import.
It could be helpful to read experiences from other people who have already ordered Gunpla from Japan to Germany. In forums or social media, you could search for experience reports to get an impression of the possible costs and the expiry of the import.
In the end, the decision is with you whether you want to accept the additional effort and the costs to order Gunpla from Japan. It is important that you take care of your personal preferences and financial opportunities to make an informed decision.