[shankar.balan]

The latest set of 1:64 Scale models arrived at home just now…perfectly in time for the weekend.

From Mini GT

Landrover Defender
Mazda Miata open top
Ford GT
Porsche Carrera S

Ferrari 275 from Mini Dream

And my favourite little Suzuki Jimny from BM Creations made for Suzuki.

Later I shall put photos of my entire stack of 1:64
citroen cars various models all made by Norev.

[Abhisheknott]

The Peugeot looks awesome. Which brand is it?

[AVIS]

This is just amazing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vxaDFuZ44g

[Sanidhya mukund]

Originally Posted by NiInJa

I have been a Hot-wheels and match-box collector ever since I started earning, but wanted to post something very serious about scale models scenario in India. In fact, I would say this needs a separate thread altogether!

Mattel's Hot Wheels and Match-box brand scale models are no longer available here in Pune, you will be lucky to get one from a toy shop near you. The prices of models online have increased manyfold

Thank you for bringing this up! Even I have been a collector of Hotwheels cars for more than a decade. I loved them for their affordability, iconic brand, easy storage and quality.

However, ever since the pandemic broke out, I haven’t been able to find a single Hotwheels car in any toy shop. I have looked in Delhi, Mumbai and even Guwahati, but no one seems to keep them. Even the branded toy outlets don’t have them.

The alternative that they sell now is extremely flimsy, cheap feeling, unbranded and easy to break. Heck, it is downright fraudulent as the packaging says “Made in India” while the product clearly mentions “Made in China”!!

[Altimatum]

Originally Posted by nerd1200

Why I have a hard time getting anything done when working from home:

BMW M5 F10
Attachment 1802494

Mercedes Benz 300 SL W198 "Gulwing" being followed by grandson, Mercedes AMG GTs
Attachment 1802495

A solo 300SL
Attachment 1802496

@nerd1200, Can I ask you where I can find those M5s. Been looking for one in Black and I have exhausted all my resources trying to find one...

[shankar.balan]

More of these little chaps.
A nice LR from Mini GT 1:64
And two more Jimnys from Era 1:64
And a lovely scalextric set in 1:64 - which I havent had since I was very young and have just bought as a nostalgia thing. Plan to connect and race these little cars with my Dad. Re living childhood.

[nerd1200]

Originally Posted by Altimatum

@nerd1200, Can I ask you where I can find those M5s. Been looking for one in Black and I have exhausted all my resources trying to find one...

IIRC, I got it off amazon in US.

[v12]

Have a question guys - what is the customs duty charged on scale model cars? And is it based on the invoice price or the scale size? And are there any other factors that decide on the custom duty?

Is there a minimum price below which customs is not charged?

[SnS_12]

Originally Posted by v12

Is there a minimum price below which customs is not charged?

Had ordered some custom 1:64 scale models which were shipped from Indonesia as a gift and valued at $5 still was charged INR 1,432 in customs. The parcel was shipped via DHL and the packaging was opened by the custom guys and all of them had damages and one car was completely broken.

Better to hand carry the delicate and expensive ones or order it through a known Indian seller.

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by SnS_12

Had ordered some custom 1:64 scale models which were shipped from Indonesia as a gift and valued at $5 still was charged INR 1,432 in customs.

I have been told by a few collectors who buy models from resellers/dealers abroad that the customs chaps have become smart these days in view of the Underinvoicing and Gift declarations on the parcel.

They get online and find out the actual prices and then charge duty + penalty. At times, the duty charges can be unreasonable and unfair as the price of the same model would be different from different resellers.

Originally Posted by SnS_12

The parcel was shipped via DHL and the packaging was opened by the custom guys and all of them had damages and one car was completely broken.

3-4 years ago I had a similar experience. I bought a 1/72 Sea Harrier from Aliexpress and it was comparatively (~Rs 1100 odd incl shipping by Regd Post from China to India). Its actual value of USD 18-19 had been declared on the outer box. It had a "Opened by Customs" seal on the outer box. No duty was charged.

But not only were the outer and inner model boxes damaged, but he model too was broken...as if damaged on purpose - tail fin, missile and wheels broke. Shabbily put back together and poorly re-packed by some great soul in the Customs, one of the tyres got stuck on the inner side of packing tape on the outer box. How it managed to stay there without falling off somewhere in between Bangalore and my place, I could not never understand. Had the tyre fallen off, my model would have forever remained "incomplete".

I managed to put the model back together using fevi-kwik but the model still had visible damages. I wish there was a way to punish these inconsiderate customs fellows and and effective way to seek compensation from them for the damages they caused!!!

[shankar.balan]

Customs duty can be levied by the assessing official.

They have more or less limitless powers.

And there is a component called IGST which is an evil thing.
The worst of it is that the customs officials also levy duty on the freight amount. This is totally unfair but what can a common man do?

I feel this pinch whenever I import specialist car parts which our local dealer will not support me with.

Originally Posted by skanchan95

I abroad that the customs chaps have become smart fective way to seek compensation from them for the damages they caused!!!

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

And my favourite little Suzuki Jimny from BM Creations made for Suzuki.

It is a lovely little model. Have you swapped the tyres with the extras that came along with the model?
I've got one in white, but considering how delicate these models are, am too scared to swap the tyres, bumper and roof mods that are a part of the package.

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

Customs duty can be levied by the assessing official.

They have more or less limitless powers.

I read somewhere that there is a way one can dispute the duty charged, but one has to go to the Customs office himself, present the case and prove that the duty was overcharged & seek a refund - too much a of a hassle, especially if the jurisdictional Customs office is in another city.

[SnS_12]

Originally Posted by skanchan95

But not only were the outer and inner model boxes damaged, but he model too was broken...as if damaged on purpose - tail fin, missile and wheels broke.

Damaging it on purpose is what really boils my blood when I think of these guys.

This is how the R34 was repacked by them, they even broke the steering wheel

Hope karma gets back at them for doing such stuff..

[benbsb29]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

The latest set of 1:64 Scale models arrived at home just now…perfectly in time for the weekend.

Love the Defender and Jimny.
Not sure if you saw these ones i posted earlier:

[shankar.balan]

The defender is lovely. Because I ve always loved Defenders.

I had earlier posted my Tarmac Works new Defender. 1:64. And my Schuco old Defender 1:64.
Lovely cars. Here they are again.


Anyway, if you are still in Australia, you should go and visit Hobby Toys in Queen Victoria Building in Sydney and Model Mania near Flinders Street Railway Station in Melbourne.

Originally Posted by benbsb29

Love the Defender and Jimny.
Not sure if you saw these ones i posted [