Buying a Motion Platform in the UK: Import Fees vs Local Distribution
You have found the motion platform you want. The price looks right. You are about to click buy from an overseas manufacturer when you stop and think: what is this actually going to cost me when it arrives in the UK?
Import VAT. Customs duties. Courier handling fees. Freight charges. That £3,000 platform could easily cost £3,600 or more by the time it reaches your door. And the worst part is you often do not know the final cost until the courier asks you to pay before handing over the parcel.
This guide explains how UK import fees work for motion platforms, what you actually pay when buying from different countries, and how to avoid surprise charges entirely.
What Are the Import Fees on Motion Platforms?
When you buy a product from outside the UK and it is shipped directly to you, three potential charges apply.
Import VAT: 20% of the product value plus shipping cost. This is the biggest charge. On a £3,000 platform with £200 shipping, you pay £640 in VAT alone.
Customs duty: Varies by product category but typically 0 to 3.7% for electronic equipment and mechanical systems. On motion platforms this is usually negligible.
Courier handling fee: £10 to £25 depending on the courier. DHL, FedEx, and UPS all charge a fee for processing customs clearance on your behalf.
On a £3,000 motion platform shipped from Europe, you could face £650 or more in additional charges at the door. You either pay the courier on delivery or the parcel goes back.
Where Do Motion Platforms Ship From?
Most motion platform manufacturers are based outside the UK. DOF Reality ships from Poland. ProSimu ships from France. SIMRIG ships from Sweden. Qubic System ships from Poland. If you buy direct from these manufacturers, you are importing from outside the UK and may face import charges.
Some manufacturers include UK VAT in their pricing. Others do not. Some handle customs clearance for you. Others leave it to the courier. The experience varies hugely depending on who you buy from and how they ship.
How to Avoid Import Fees Entirely
Buy from a UK distributor.
When you buy from a UK-based retailer, the distributor has already imported the product, paid the import VAT, and cleared customs. The price you see is the price you pay. VAT is included. No courier knocking on your door asking for £600. No delays at customs. No paperwork.
At SimTorque, every price on the website includes UK VAT. Every order ships with free UK mainland delivery. There are no import fees, no customs charges, and no surprise costs at the door. The price on the product page is the price you pay. Nothing more.
This applies to every brand we stock:
DOF Reality platforms from £1,565 to £8,845 with free UK delivery and all prices including VAT.
ProSimu platforms from £2,895 to £21,095 with free UK delivery and all prices including VAT.
SIMRIG motion systems from £3,220 to £4,180 with free UK delivery and all prices including VAT.
Qubic System platforms from £1,519 to £53,459 with free UK delivery and all prices including VAT.
What About Warranty and Returns?
Buying from a UK distributor also simplifies warranty claims and returns. If something goes wrong with a product you bought direct from an overseas manufacturer, you are dealing with international shipping, time zone differences, and potentially shipping the product back at your own cost.
With a UK distributor, your consumer rights under UK law apply. Communication is in the same time zone. Warranty claims are handled locally. If a product needs to be returned, you are not shipping a 40kg box back to Poland or France.
Price Comparison: Direct vs UK Distributor
The common assumption is that buying direct from the manufacturer is cheaper. In practice, once you add import VAT, shipping, and handling fees, the UK distributor price is often the same or lower.
Manufacturers set their direct prices excluding UK VAT. A platform listed at €3,000 on a manufacturer's website does not include the 20% UK VAT you will pay on arrival. Add £500+ in VAT, £100 to £300 in freight, and a £15 to £25 handling fee, and the "cheaper" direct price is no longer cheaper.
UK distributor pricing absorbs these costs into a single VAT-inclusive price. You know what you are paying before you click buy. There is no calculation, no currency conversion risk, and no waiting to find out how much the courier wants.
What If I Want a Product You Do Not Stock?
If you are looking at a specific motion platform or configuration that is not on our website, get in touch. We can often source products from our supplier partners and offer them with the same UK pricing, VAT-inclusive, free delivery, and no import charges. We have sourced bespoke configurations for commercial clients, defence projects, and enthusiasts with specific requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I pay import VAT if I buy from the EU?
Yes. Since the UK left the EU single market on 1 January 2021, all goods imported from EU countries are subject to UK import VAT at 20%. This applies to motion platforms from Poland (DOF Reality, Qubic System), France (ProSimu), and Sweden (SIMRIG).
Can I reclaim the VAT if I buy for business use?
If you are VAT registered, you can reclaim import VAT on business purchases. However, this still requires paying the VAT upfront, handling the customs paperwork, and processing the reclaim through your VAT return. Buying from a UK distributor with a VAT invoice is simpler for business purchases too.
How long does delivery take from SimTorque?
Delivery times vary by brand. DOF Reality platforms are made to order and take 3 to 4 weeks. ProSimu delivers in 2 to 3 weeks. SIMRIG delivers in 2 to 3 weeks. Qubic System delivers in 2 to 4 weeks. All deliveries include tracking and free UK mainland shipping.
Is there a warranty on products bought from SimTorque?
Yes. Every product carries the manufacturer warranty (typically 1 to 2 years depending on the brand) plus your UK consumer rights. We handle warranty claims on your behalf with the manufacturer.
Do you ship to Northern Ireland, Scotland, and the Channel Islands?
We ship free to UK mainland addresses including Scotland. Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, and Highlands may incur a small surcharge depending on the carrier. Contact us with your postcode for a delivery quote.