Elite 3D Printed Ships

[Fenris Wolf]

Wow... Fantastic... I thought to myself when I saw that you can get 3D printed (sandstone) ships now.

And then I noticed that Frontier are using a US based company and it's going to cost $100 for a decent sized one.

So, $100 plus $20 for postage and then the customs office will whack on another £100* (or more) in customs charges if you get caught out.

EDIT * Red Anders supplied more up to date info than I had. Actual customs fee would be 20%

Come on Frontier! There are lots of really good 3D printing companies in the UK that also print with metal and/or sandstone.

 

[Red Anders]

Wow... Fantastic... I thought to myself when I saw that you can get 3D printed (sandstone) ships now.

And then I noticed that Frontier are using a US based company and it's going to cost $100 for a decent sized one.

So, $100 plus $20 for posted and then the customs office will whack on another £100 (or more) in customs charges if you get caught out.

Come on Frontier! There are lots of really good 3D printing companies in the UK that also print with metal and/or sandstone.

Umm. No.

If you import something such as a ship model from the US you will be liable to pay VAT on the value of the goods if the value exceeds £15. The current rate of VAT is 20%.

You don't pay customs duty on anything unless its value (including the P&P charge) exceeds £135. Which it doesn't.

I agree completely that there is likely a UK supplier who could produce the models; however the game's customer base is international so using a UK supplier would inconvenience US players in exactly the same way you're suggesting UK players will be inconvenienced by the arrangement FD have opted for. They could of course have contracted this to two companies but I imagine that would have resulted in a worse deal for the company (and ultimately the players) than the single arrangement they have made.

Other than a wish to support UK businesses (which is entirely laudible) I can't see an issue here to be honest and frankly, in the commercial world these deals will be made with the company who offer the best overall package. I have to assume that is what FD have done.

 

[Fenris Wolf]

Okay, thanks for that. My info was out of date. I'll make a note in the original post

But an extra 20% to the cost which would make it £102.00, plus Royal Mail charges £8.00 (fee collection they call it) bring it to £110.

 

[freedom4556]

I personally don't see why FDev haven't released the files with some kind of restricted license. It's essentially free viral marketing. It's not like the low-end plastic 3D printers the average person has access to is going to limit their ability to sell quality models.

 

[Red Anders]

Okay, thanks for that. My info was out of date. I'll make a note in the original post

But an extra 20% to the cost which would make it £102.00, plus Royal Mail charges £8.00 (fee collection they call it) bring it to £110.

It's definitely not cheap whichever way you slice it, can't argue with that.