"20mm fans in the EU, where do you buy from, post-Brexit?" Topic

Sorry for the wall of text, TL;DR at the bottom.

Hi everyone,

I'm starting a WWII collection in 20mm, probably with the North African front for starters. I've bought a Sd.kfz 251 and a Willys Jeep in 1/72, and I want to get some crew figures for those kits, as well as some infantry (not too many, a section per side or so, it's for a skirmish game, at least for now).

There's tons of manufacturers making stuff in 20mm, but most, if not all of them are based in the UK, which means import duties and I just don't feel like paying €15.00 EUR EUR extra on a <€50 purchase, plus shipping. Elhiem, Adler, Britannica, CP/TQD…

I know Eureka is a retailer for AB Figures in the UK, and they have IOSS so no import duties, but AB Figures are quite expensive (not overpriced, I'm sure they're worth it, just straight up pricy) and shipping can get quite high, even when buying not a whole lot of stuff (a section on both sides, as well as crews for these two vehicles with a few figures leftover comes out to about €75.00 EUR EUR, with €15.00 EUR EUR for shipping!).

I've also come across an Italian retailer for the Simon's Soldiers range, asymmetricwargames.it – I like their style from what I've seen, it's the same sculptor who did the Battlefield/Blitz ranges), but there are some things that are not in the range (such as a DAK vehicle crew, for example). Other than that, there's Xan Miniatures in Spain with a really quite limited range, and I haven't found anything else.

To be clear, I would rather get metals, so I'd rather not go with Plastic Soldier Company (widely available from multiple stores, I've found) unless for vehicles (but I have a scale modelling store near me so I'm covered on that front anyway). Preferably no soft plastic 1/72 figures either.

TL;DR Who makes or sells 20mm metal WWII miniatures within the EU/with IOSS in the UK?

Thanks in advance!

I've also made this post in the "WWII in 20mm" board, but I forgot to crosspost it here. Mods if it's a problem let me know.

I can only say the reverse problem is just as bad. Many an EU country will no longer ship to the UK. Schilling in Germany for example will post to Cuba, the Cayman Islands or the Cocos Islands, but not to the UK, since Brexit. The inevitable bureaucracy is a major deterrent. Best I do not comment on the wisdom of the referendum decision.

Poland here: Martola in Poland and Elhiem/CP Models directly form GB (sometimes tariffs hit).

Many an EU country will no longer ship to the UK.

Some companies in the US won't ship to the EU or the UK , nothing to do with Brexit , all down to the change in the VAT rules .

As for buying from the UK to be sent the EU , check out the companies which remove the VAT for EU customers .

What I hate paying is a nice, flat €15.00 EUR of handling fees when ordering from the UK, because the Belgian government hates us :P. VAT usually comes out not too high, say €6.00 EUR extra on a €30.00 EUR purchase, it's easier for me to accept for some reason.

Of course, if I decide I'll stomach the handling fees, I'll make sure to check whether I'm paying VAT twice, although I'm pretty sure most small companies, like the ones we're dealing with in this hobby, don't charge UK VAT to foreign customers. Think it has something to do with having above x profit yearly? Not sure.

Handling cost is afaik notfrom governement but postoffice or DHL etc

True, but I'd assume there's gotta be some regulations in place? In any case, Bpost* hates us and I ain't getting minis cheap from the UK anytime soon.

If willing to remain stuck to 20mm, perhaps you might consider switching to plastic products such as those from Italeri or Heller (or even Zvezda; plenty of shops in the EU do still carry Zvezda products, such as myself: link. Zvezda plastics are not soft but hard instead (out of the same plastic than model kits).

Otherwise, as you already mentioned your preference upon metal figures, you can still make grow your 20mm collection using a few EU manufacturers such as Mirliton from Italy ( link ) or Xan from Spain ( link ), just to mention a couple. These latter are pretty compatible with AB figures, BTW.

Best regards,
Lluís Vilalta

Vat threshold is £85,000.00 GBP turnover per year.
You can opt to register for vat if your turnover is below threshold.
I should think a lot of the small uk miniatures traders sell well less than that threshold.

Vat threshold is £85,000.00 GBP GBP turnover per year.

Still doesn't change the fact that VAT is due on a lot of imports .