You can try to confirm it yourself right now by ordering something from AmJ and see if there is any taxes in your final total.

For example,

I tried ordering this: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B085QPH6WJ/







Other than the relatively expensive DHL shipping, I don't really see any "tax" amount in the order total...

 

You and your big fat education.

 

Don’t know for sure yet.

 

I just tried to add a bunch of stuff to checkout and there was no tax. Even if theY do decide to charge tax, I don’t think they can make it apply to existing orders.

 

Thanks for doing all the work...and why is DHL so damn expensive? Is this a big or heavy toy or are these COVID prices? MP44 was only $23ish in DHL cost if I remember correctly.

 

Could you link us please? I really need to read this for myself. I‘ve skimmed the Amazon/ AmazonJP thread and can’t find it.

 

Sentinel Toys Discussion

It's not on the AmazonJP thread (didn't even know there was one). Last few posts. @anubis20

 

I know everyone likes to try and order from the absolute cheapest seller from the east, but I think this time around there’s a number of compelling reasons to order from a domestic seller this time..

Things are not looking at all good with the pandemic as we approach winter, and this can make shipping from the east a total nightmare (I had this experience earlier in the year trying to import a Toyworld Constructor, ended up cancelling and buying from my own country).

In many counties you’ll still get hit with import tax, Im in the UK and I know it’s highly unlikely something like this will get through customs without getting £30+ slapped on it.

This combined with shipping, which might also not be cheap due to the pandemic, and I don’t think you’d be saving much...

 

Yeah. 5k-yen on amz-jp DHL seems high, altho it is actually rather cheaper than DHL from other shops like cdj or mandarake or any of the usual import shops.

As such, I didn't buy it myself, but the Sentinel Final Dancouga does indeed looks like it got shipped in a rather moar xb0xhug3 box than MP44...

Pharoid's post/pic of it in The Soul of Chogokin, Soul SPEC, SIC, & Super Robot Chogokin Choking on Gokin Thread



It also seems alot moar heavy and stuff than MP44...

 

Yeah, I felt like this wasn't a fair comparison in terms of price point. This is almost double of what MP-52 costs (plus the weight and box size that you mentioned also factors in). My most recent purchase from AJ was MP-49 black convoy, which was discounted from the 250ish dollar price point (US dollars) to 190ish with the 1600 yen (around 16 dollars US) shipping fee - this I feel is a closer comparison and that MP-52 would weigh a bit more. With the current rates that I'm seeing on some MP's like Tigatron, it looks to be about 20 dollars for shipping (to California at least) - which I feel would be the same amount for MP-52 at this time. Just my guess though  

 

Shit, you’re right. Story checks out, the party is coming to an end. Thanks for giving us the heads up Flapjacks.

 

I think its reflected in the final cost. Consumption tax is 10%, they must keep what ever rate is your state on the final price/w shipping. With battle convoy for example I go from 28605 to 28085 at checkout, that's hardly the 10% removed. Who know if this is just Amazon or all jp stores or eventually any internet purchase originating overseas.

 

I expect to see some MP collectors look at the new SS86 line and ask themselves whether the MP line is worth sticking with. Especially if one ends up filling up the character ranks over a couple of years instead of a couple of decades and with folks finances taking a beating because of Covid-related recessions. Hell, I'm keeping an open mind myself.

 

Starscream is actually pretty reasonably priced. I cant really complain about $190-200 when the other options in Japan are more than that with less. Wish he was even cheaper, but I only have to do this a couple times of year, guess pricing would suck more if someone's hellbent on a complete collection ton.

 

Yeah, gotta agree with @jackisking. If anything, Starscream kinda broke the trend of continually increasing prices. He's definitely cheaper than a lot of us figured.
Not saying he's cheap by all means, as $200 is still a lot of cash but it could have been a lot worse.

 

Maybe, still an opinion at the end of the day, what works for you may not work for someone else and vice versa. Some may want the different colour schemes and some might not. Who cares is the point. Why knock someone's wish for something? Happens too often in the tf forum which is kind of sad to be honest.

 

Available on Amazon Japan by Amazon Japan now.

 

https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Trans...rds=mp-52&qid=1602755796&sprefix=mp-52&sr=8-1

 

Lol I don't know if you're falsely accusing me of knocking someone's wish for something or if you're just speaking in general? Anyway, my 'whatever right' still firmly stands  

If SS86 ticks boxes for certain people then power to them. No other line comes close to MP in terms of refined screen accuracy, articulation, paint apps and accessories (for better or worse, depending on people's tastes).

For me it's always been about quality over quantity, I never needed a full cast. The lines are definitely blurring more in the most recent CHUG series, with how much closer they're getting to the original source and how they've improved articulation (pretty much better than MP-10 or MP-12), but it won't do it for me. Now if I had kids I would definitely be buying those toys for them (and me  )