A number of countries and regions require overseas retailers to collect taxes such as VAT, GST, Sales Tax, and in some cases customs duties on behalf of the relevant authorities. Hobby Search complies with these requirements and collects applicable taxes and duties where required.
Countries we are currently collecting taxes for:
- Australia (GST)
- New Zealand (GST)
- Singapore (GST)
- European Union (VAT via the IOSS program and applicable customs duties)
- United States (Sales Tax in 20 states and applicable customs duties)
California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington
What this means for customers in these locations
1. Transparency of costs
You will be able know the tax amount beforehand. No more worries about unforeseen tax charged after your order enters your country.
2. Possible saving on handling fees
Because your tax is pre-paid, you may be freed from added handling fee charged by delivery agents for collection of taxes.
Details by each Country
[USA]
Hobby Search collects applicable Sales Tax for orders shipped to states where we are required to collect tax. We also collect applicable customs duties for eligible shipments to the United States in accordance with U.S. import requirements.
Q1. Who will be required to pay sales tax?
A. Sales Tax will be charged if your order is shipped to one of the following states:
California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington.
Q2. When did Hobby Search start collecting Sales Tax?
A. Sales Tax is collected for orders charged on or after November 1, 2022.
Q3. Why is Hobby Search collecting Sales Tax on behalf of state authorities?
A. U.S. state tax laws require certain overseas retailers to collect Sales Tax based on economic nexus regulations.
For more information regarding economic nexus by state, please refer to the following website:
Avalara – Economic Nexus Guide
Q4. Who will be required to pay customs duties?
A. Shipments to the United States are sent under DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) where applicable. When customs duties apply, Hobby Search will calculate and collect the applicable customs duties before shipment. Customers are not normally required to pay additional customs duties upon delivery.
[EU]
Since July 1, 2026, the EU has abolished the €150 de minimis customs duty exemption. As a result, shipments imported into the EU may be subject to customs duties regardless of the order value.
ECMS shipments are shipped under DDP (Delivered Duty Paid). This means applicable customs duties are collected by Hobby Search at the time of purchase, and no additional customs duty payment is normally required upon delivery.
All other shipping methods are shipped under DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid). Under DDU, any customs duties, customs clearance fees, and other import charges assessed by the destination country's customs authority or delivery carrier are the responsibility of the customer and must be paid before or upon delivery.
VAT will continue to be charged in accordance with applicable EU tax regulations.
[Australia]
We are collecting the 10% GST for orders with total product value of AUS$1,000 or less, for shipments to Australia.
[New Zealand]
We are collecting the 15% GST for for shipments to New Zealand from 7th March, 2023.
[Singapore]
We are charging 8% of GST for order with items valued below SGD 400.
Starting from Jan, 4th 2024, new tax rate 9% will be applicable.
For orders including any items valued SGD 400 or more, GST must be collected at your boarder.
Point of consideration
Please be noted that orders received prior to the start of tax collection may be subject to tax collection,
if we charge you for the order after the start of tax collection.
Please also be noted that we have been receiving reports the tax authorities charging customers tax, despite us collecting these.
If you are charged duplicated tax. please be sure to notify us with your proof of payment, so that we can refund the tax we charged.