Product availability

[macsporran]

Discussion about this ruinous international trade war that seems to be breaking out made me consider whether I should stockpile anything before the tax doubles or trebles.

I was surprised to realise that I actually buy very little model-related stuff that is US in origin. (Apart from books where I do buy lots and lots.) Being UK-based, historically there would have been lots of Revell, Monogram and in older times Aurora, Hawk, Lindberg etc. But these days most of the kits I buy come from Eastern Europe - Ukraine, Latvia, Poland, etc, while most tools etc are Japanese, with paints from all over. (Lots too of course of UK auction-site WNW etc.)

So, hopefully for a UK or European modeler, it won't have too much direct impact - although sources and materials may be affected. Elsewhere, maybe worth having a think about what your next purchases might be.

Please don't follow this with political views - it's only intended to give a heads-up on possible future major price rises.
Sandy

[NigelR]

So far modelling products aren't included in the tariff wars. The EU has published a 99-page list of goods it plans to tariff (in response to the US tariffs) and model kits and modelling supplies don't appear to be on it (from my searches at least). It doesn't look like they will be included as they are pretty niche.

But let's be honest - do any of us need to stockpile anything? Surely any shortages would be an excuse to reduce the stash......

[BobW]

I live in Canada and glue is on our tariff list.  I am going to stock up on AC glue which comes from a USA source.

[Borsos]

I do not expect any hobby-related effects by the recent economic developments besides of general price increases. I simply do not know any US modeling equipment or kits from the US that I think I would need. The only US kit manufacturer that comes in my mind is Accurate, but as far as I know the molds are Korean now and Academy offers these kits.

[Botan]

So far modelling products aren't included in the tariff wars. The EU has published a 99-page list of goods it plans to tariff (in response to the US tariffs) and model kits and modelling supplies don't appear to be on it (from my searches at least). It doesn't look like they will be included as they are pretty niche.

But let's be honest - do any of us need to stockpile anything? Surely any shortages would be an excuse to reduce the stash......

I think those could be listed under toys. Zvezda kits as toys aren't under embargo in EU, but I have heard as toys from Russia they got increased tariffs in UK. Also Revell stopped repacking Zvezda kits, but Academy started doing so. Similar shenanigans may happen here.

[Dirigible-Al]

I view my hobby like this: This is a cheap hobby compared to the costs of some people's I know. There's no need to join a club like Golf or Squash ect and if you do join a modelling club chances are fee would be small. No running costs, license costs fuel costs, I could go on. A boat is like a hole in the water you throw money in. It can be done in the smallest space in the house. If I have to pay a little more for kits, tools and paint it still makes this a cheap hobby.