Now that the dust has settled a little on the tariff situation, I would be interested to hear about US-based members' experiences in buying from the UK.

For example:

 - How was the tariff applied (in the UK or in the US?).

 - Were different tariff rates applied for different manufacturing origins?  For example, in an order that contained items manufactured in the UK and in China?

 - Was the VAT deduction incorporated as normal?

 - Any longer than normal delays incurred as a result of tariffs?

 - What is the difference in cost between a pre-tariff order and a post tariff order?

Apologies for so many questions but I thought some real world experiences would be informative for those of us living in the United States.

Ian
(Currently with several pre-orders with NGS, Rails, and Revolution).

 

So with Revolution using Royal Mail.

Tariff was paid to Revolution at a 30% rate, no flat fee.

All originated in China.

VAT was deducted as normal, I can't think why this would change.

Tracking went dark for a day or two but the items arrived 1 week after dispatch which is as good as it was before the tariffs.

The cost difference was 30% (tariff) plus a 50p extra handling charge from RM.

Rails & Kernow are using DHL who want an extra 15 quid as a tariff handling charge.

Regards,

John P

Thank you for this John, I had been wondering how it was going to affect us with buying imported goods, had me worried I was going to be paying double the price of the model sale price for a while.

Thanks, John.

Your information is very helpful.

Ian

And another update.

Rails are now offering duty paid delivery with both RM and DHL.

My Christmas present from my son and daughter in law arrived today. It's a Dapol CL68 and it was shipped via Royal Mail, no duties to pay at this end.

I've also placed an order on behalf of SWMBO for some Peco points and a box of Flex track, because of the size of the box it had to be shipped with DHL but according to the invoice that I just received from Rails, it is still shipping duty paid. That should arrive early in the new year, watch this space.

It looks like Rails are adding tariff charges of 10% for Peco stuff and 20% for Dapol and Farish, although for Dapol and Farish I'm sure that they should be adding 30%.

But I don't care as my pressie arrived without any issues.

Regards and Merry Christmas,

John P

Well my box of track plus points from Rails was shipped with DHL on Monday.

It was delivered today !!!!!

Merry Christmas!

John P

Impressive by DHL

Quick head's up to those US modellers who want any UK or European models.

News as of 17 Jan 5pm UK time.

As of 1 February, Trump is adding an additional 10% tariff to any country (UK, France, Denmark, etc) who stands in his way to defend Greenland from its independence.

The remainder of this post has been deleted to ensure the post is not removed!

Relevant both ways because the EU has a meeting today to tear up their side of the trade treaty to match, so US imports into the EU (and the UK is likely to follow) are going to go ugly as well.

The world has gone stark raving mad 

Quote from: Webbo on January 19, 2026, 08:53:55 AMThe world has gone stark raving mad 

Or there appear to be some pretty unhinged people running parts of it at least!

Stock up on Evergreen styrene before it's too late! 

Martyn

I'm completely out of the loop and haven't purchased oversees in years.

I put something in the shopping cart at Rails of Sheffield but saw no mention of tariffs.

Is it happening on my side of the pond? Will I get a notice from the post office that I owe?

On my recent order from Rails (though I preordered before all this tariff crap) I received an email that they would need to charge me more due to tariffs, but I have not (yet at least) received any additional bills for import fees from the carrier so I suspect they are using shipping methods that incorporate the import fees.

If you order from Rails today their pricing includes the relevant tariffs so everything is delivered duty paid.

Regards,

John P