John Way

Tim C, You are very lucky with your recent experiences. I have an Aliexpress order which "arrived in your country" on Dec 24h 2020 and I have yet to receive it !! I am pleased to hear that HMRC did not get involved with the shipments. Regards, John.

Hi Nigel, Thanks, that is my understanding too. I have just bought a mini receiver on ebay from a Chinese Seller. The price included VAT but is still under £10. It is to be shipped via Economy Speed Pack (normally delivered by my postie) so I shall be interested to see if there any handling fees involved. If Royal Mail send me an £8 demand they can send it back!! Regards, John.

Hi Bob, That is not 100% clear to me and why I have asked for someone with first hand experience this year. Regards, John.

H all, I have no problem with the 20% VAT gouge but excessive handling charges for a sub £15 order are outrageous. I only quote £15 as this was the low liability limit and I am used to keeping my r/c parts orders under it whenever possible. In the past I have used ebay, Banggood and Aliexpress with very few problems and my small orders paid for before Jan 1st 2021 have arrived this month via courier and Royal Mail without any additional tax or duty or handling charges. I am reluctant to consider buying any more direct from China until someone can pass on first hand experience of doing so this year. As I understand the situation now (and please correct me if I am wrong) it is up to the overseas Seller to collect VAT and all packages will be handled through UK Customs resulting with e.g. Royal Mail charging an £8 handling fee to deliver them. So, this being true : that £10 advertised bargain item with free postage from China could end up costing £20 !!! Rip off Britain? You bet!!

Hi everyone, Advice sought please on the subject of a suitable scale pilot for the Ripmax EP600 Spitfire. The full size Spitfire has a wingspan of 35' 10", the Ripmax is 4' so the scale is approx 1/9. However, the cockpit of the Ripmax seems too small for a Perkins scale WW2 pilot - what has been used by other Ripmax Spitfire owners please? Many thanks, John.l@import url(http://www.modelflying.co.uk/CuteEditor_Files/Style/SyntaxHighlighter.css);@import url(/CuteEditor_Files/public_forums.css);