Following the UK Government’s recent budget announcement and the subsequent consultation regarding customs reforms, there is understandable confusion rippling through the tabletop community. Specifically, the proposal to reform the customs treatment of low-value imports has backers of international crowdfunding campaigns asking: Will my board games get more expensive?
Disclaimer: Geek Native is a news outlet, not a financial or legal advisor. The following is a journalistic interpretation of government proposals and should not be taken as professional tax or legal advice.
The headline change within the government’s consultation titled “Reforming the Customs treatment of low value imports” is the proposed removal of the £135 duty exemption threshold. Currently, if a backer in the UK pledges for a physical reward from the US, EU, or elsewhere, and the total value (including shipping) is £135 or less, the package is generally exempt from Customs Duty, though VAT remains payable.
The consultation outlines a plan to remove this relief by March 2029. This shift would technically render all commercial imports, regardless of their price tag, liable for Customs Duty processing. For the avid Kickstarter or Gamefound backer, this sounds immediately alarming, implying a new tax on every pledge.
However, a closer look at the specific categorisation of tabletop games suggests the financial hit may not come from the tax itself, but rather from the bureaucracy surrounding it.
The 0% Safety Net
International trade relies on “HS Codes” (Harmonised System codes) to classify goods. Board games, tabletop roleplaying box sets, and similar hobby products typically fall under the commodity code 9504 90. Under the current UK Global Tariff, goods in this category are subject to a 0% duty rate.
Therefore, even if the £135 safety net is removed as proposed, 0% duty on a £60 board game remains £0. In strictly tariff terms, the cost of backing a game should theoretically remain unchanged for the core product.
However, backers should remain vigilant regarding “mixed” rewards. A campaign tier that includes a t-shirt (apparel), a plushie (toys), or specific electronic components might trigger different HS codes that do carry a tariff rate. If the exemption is removed, these add-ons could become liable for duty where they previously slid under the radar.
The Real Risk: The Return of the Handling Fee
While the tax bill might be zero, the administrative cost could be greater.
Currently, packages under £135 often flow through customs with relative ease because they are flagged as being below the duty threshold. If that threshold is abolished, every single commercial package entering the UK technically becomes a “dutiable import” requiring a formal declaration.
This raises the spectre of courier handling fees. Historically, carriers like Royal Mail, FedEx, and DHL charge a fee to cover the administrative work of presenting a package to Border Force. This is the dreaded “grey card” many UK geeks are familiar with—an £8 or £12 fee demanded before a parcel is released, even if the actual tax owed is negligible.
If the new system requires couriers to process formal declarations for every single Kickstarter reward, there is a risk that handling fees could be applied universally, even if the Customs Duty payable is zero. The government consultation mentions an intention to streamline administration to mitigate friction, but until the specific mechanisms are defined, the risk of increased “admin fees” remains a concern for the hobbyist consumer.
Buying Local and Digital Alternatives
Given the potential for future friction at the border, UK gamers may find greater value in purchasing from domestic retailers that handle importation at the distributor level. Retailers such as Zatu Games and Magic Madhouse import stock in bulk, shielding individual consumers from per-package handling fees and customs declarations.
Furthermore, digital goods remain an effective way to bypass physical border controls entirely. For roleplaying enthusiasts, PDF rewards via platforms like DriveThruRPG ensure that the only “handling” involved is downloading the file.
Looking Ahead
It is important to note the government’s proposed timeline. The consultation explicitly states that the aim is to implement these changes “by March 2029”.
This allows significant time for the logistics industry and crowdfunding platforms to adapt. We have already seen moves toward modernisation in this space; earlier this year, we reported on Kickstarter’s efforts to introduce a tariff tool for USA backers, suggesting that the platforms are becoming increasingly proactive regarding cross-border taxation.
For now, current pledges remain under the existing rules. However, the era of frictionless low-value imports appears to be drawing to a close, and the tabletop industry will need to ensure that administrative fees do not become a barrier to backing.
Photo by Fox & Hyde on Unsplash
