Buying
 

I was thinking of buying the game.
One big thing putting me off is that I'd MUCH rather buy a download than a cd. I live in UK and if I buy something physical from the US there is a high chance it will be held up by HM Customs whilst they levy VAT (tax) and some extra tax...
The hold up can be months and the tax you pay seems fairly random.
The hold up is a pain and I don't like having my mail opened. Game components occasionally went missing when I used to do this.

So I no longer buy anything costs more than 17 pounds from the US.

Is there a download option I missed?
Or is one perhaps planned?

Re: Buying
 

The only downloads are the free edition, and patches.

The CD option is via mail order - the physical CD and (paper) introductory user guide is part of this boxed set.

I have no idea what HM C&E will do - Last thing I bought direct from the US a while back (before 2000) was about £200, value was displayed on the packing by the US co, and there was a surcharge to pay up front. The box had not been opened. They may only surcharge expensive items (VAT I think it was?).

(My playtester copy of SP3 was shipped direct to me by SSI, but was I think listed as "nil" value, back in about 98 or so, came direct via UPS to my work address at the time with no interference from C&E.)

Cheers
Andy

Re: Buying
 

It used to be rather variable and you could often "get away" with it. Things have tightened up and another charge has been added on top of the standard VAT.

Listing commercial product as "nil" value would do it so long as there was no evidence contradicted it in the package - as they do definitely open a proportion.
Not sure if that would be legal though.

Anything attracting VAT over 1 pound is chargeable. Hence the 17 pound thing. ( UK VAT is 17.5% ).
I don't know how you would pay duty in advance.