Is It Cheaper To Buy Collectibles From Abroad?

One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is, 'Is it cheaper to buy collectibles from abroad?' As with many things, if a deal seems too good to be true, it usually is. In this post, we will explore three common scenarios and provide explanations to help you make an informed decision.

Scenario 1: The Overseas Bargain

"I've found a price abroad, converted it to my currency, and it's much cheaper!"

When buying collectibles from abroad, many sellers won't disclose shipping fees until you checkout. As we're based in the UK, we'll explain the costs according to UK regulations, using summarised information from GOV.UK on tax and duty.

For collectibles costing over £135, you'll typically have to pay five fees:

1. VAT: 20%

2. Customs Duty: Around 2.5%

3. Courier Fee: Typically £13

4. Shipping Costs

5. Currency Conversion Fee: 3-5%

Below, you'll find more detailed information on each area.

VAT 

VAT is charged on all goods (except for gifts worth £39 or less) sent from outside the UK to Great Britain. As of the time of writing this post, VAT is 20% in the UK.

You pay VAT either when you buy the goods or to the delivery company before you receive them. If you have to pay VAT to the delivery company, it’s charged on the total package value, including:

• the value of the goods

• postage, packaging and insurance

• any duty you owe.

Customs Duty

If the goods are worth more than £135, you'll also pay customs duty. This varies depending on the type of good, but for collectibles, it's typically around 2.5%.

Courier Fee

Couriers in charge of delivering your item to the UK usually collect the VAT and customs duty. They charge a fee for this service, which is typically around £13.

Shipping

Shipping fees can significantly impact your purchasing decision, especially when items are shipped from far away. Unfortunately, many sellers won't disclose shipping costs until you provide your address details. However, we'll give you a general idea here.

Weight, box size, value, and distance are the primary factors that determine shipping costs. For example:

• A 1/4 scale statue weighing 10KG can cost between $50-$150 to ship from the USA.

• Large figures, like 1/3 scale with huge boxes, can have shipping fees as high as $1,000 from mainland China.

Currency Fee

Your payment will typically be converted at a rate that isn’t the flat exchange rate. It's usually around 3% to 5%, depending on which payment service you use.

As you can see, these hidden costs can be substantial and explain why there’s often a difference between local prices and buying from abroad.

An Example Item

Let's say we're looking at a 1/4 statue that costs $450 in the USA. At checkout, the shipping cost comes up at $60.

So, the total cost at checkout is $510.

Using XE's Currency Converter (a popular choice), today on the 8th March 2025, the rate is 1 USD = 0.773900 GBP, which equals £394.69.

Adding our card processor fee of 3%, the cost to us becomes around £414.42 (multiply 394.69 by 1.03)

Assuming VAT and Customs Duty are based on the exact exchange rate:

• 20% VAT: £78.94

• 2.5% Customs Duty: £9.87

These fees will be collected by the courier before delivery, along with their service fee of £13.

Initially, we thought our cost was $450, which is about £348.37.

Adding up the five factors, we end up paying around £516.23.

In this example, our item costs us 48% more than we initially thought!

Additionally, you may experience delays while the goods are held in customs for inspection and while waiting for the courier to send the import bill.

At Movie Figures, we aim to offer competitive prices compared to buying abroad from any of the manufacturers we work with. If not, please contact us and we'll happily check.

Scenario 2: The Import Fee Dilemma

"I've heard some foreign sellers claim there will be no import fees, even though the item is over the UK government thresholds."

The only way this can be done is if the shipper deliberately breaks the law by under-declaring the value of the item. Such practices are illegal and harm the UK economy by avoiding the taxes due. Additionally, they pull business away from law-abiding sellers like ourselves.

When you buy something from abroad, you are responsible for the import fees. If the seller initially lies about the value and then declares the true amount, you are liable for the fees. Moreover, if the seller under-declares the value and customs notice, you risk your item being seized and investigated.

If you've innocently purchased something from abroad over the thresholds mentioned earlier, check the customs info paperwork to ensure it matches the amount you paid for the item. If it doesn’t, the seller has broken the law and should be reported to HMRC.

At Movie Figures, we find such illegal practices extremely frustrating as they create unfair competition. If you notice any foreign reseller engaging in this behavior, please take the time to report them to HMRC here.

Scenario 3: The Online Bargain

"I've seen a figure for sale for £50 on eBay (or Alibaba), but it normally retails for over £200!"

These are almost always fake items. You’ll often see the accounts originating in China, with sellers listing hundreds of varied items. In most cases, you'll receive a fake figure that is an inferior version of the real thing. If you're unlucky, you might receive nothing and then face the hassle of going through eBay's resolution center to try and get your money back.

Selling fake items on eBay is illegal. If you spot a fake item, please use the 'Report this item to Ebay' link on each product page. 

Regarding fakes, keep in mind that by buying these items, you’re supporting sellers who haven’t paid the license owner anything. Manufacturers we work with buy licensing rights to produce figures of our favorite characters. They directly support the creators of these beloved characters. If you want to see new content being made for the characters you love, be sure to support legitimate sellers!

What are the benefits of buying from the UK?

Quite a few:

• Support the UK Economy: Your purchase helps sustain local businesses and the broader UK economy.

• Support UK Businesses and Manufacturers: You'll be backing both local retailers and the manufacturers who create these items.

• Fast Delivery: Goods can arrive as soon as the next working day.

• No Import Duties or Taxes: Avoid the stress and delays associated with import duties or taxes.

• Transparent Pricing: The price you see is the total price you pay.

• Easy Returns: If there’s a problem with your item, returning it is simple and quick.

• Reliable Customer Service: You can easily contact us by phone or email for a fast response.

• Legal Protection: Buying from the UK ensures you’re covered by UK customer laws and rights, offering more protection for your purchase.

• Genuine Products: When you buy from a reputable UK supplier, you can be certain your goods are authentic and official.

Where can I find the latest information on taxes and import fees?

Gov.uk is the best source of official information. You can find the latest details on tax and customs for goods sent from abroad here. 

Where Is A Good Place To Buy Collectibles From In The UK?

Right here on Movie Figures!

We offer a wide range of collectibles, including Hot Toys, Phicen TBLeague, Sideshow, Weta Workshop, and many more, all at great prices. We've been trading since 2013, so you can buy with confidence from us.

Visit our Movie Figures Home Page

If you can't find what you're looking for, please contact us as we can source way more than our site lists!