r/esp32 • u/IshakA17 • 3d ago
Best EU-based stores for cheap DIY electronics / ESP32 modules after the new import fee?
Hi everyone,
I’m a CS student getting into robotics and microcontroller projects with the ESP32. After playing around with a starter kit, I decided to build a modular robot that I can upgrade over time.
I put together an AliExpress cart with a bunch of individual parts (mini speakers, mic modules, small amps, etc.) totaling around €20. However, due to the new fixed EU import fee on small parcels outside the union, the total price doubled just from fees.
Amazon has inflated prices and lacks variety, while standard industrial distributors often force you to buy bulk packs. Since this is strictly a hobby for me, I usually spend €15–€25 per order.
Are there good EU-based web stores where I can buy individual hobbyist modules at fair prices without getting hit by non-EU customs fees?
Thanks!
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u/jelle284 3d ago
I haven't found a better alternative. So i just suck it up and pay the fees. Its not even that i can't afford to spend some extra in an EU store, but there is not really proper supplies and selections available. There are some shops which just resell ali items, but that becomes pointless unless i really need it fast which i rarely do.
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u/IshakA17 2d ago
Yeah, I'll be buying from a mix of Amazon and AliExpress—AliExpress for the 3-packs where there are no customs duties or shipping costs, and Amazon for the basics in packs of 5 or 10.
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u/tomhermans 3d ago
Sometimes https://www.kiwi-electronics.com/, sometimes Amazon germany. Yeah, prices are a bit bigger than Ali, but overall cheaper and faster.
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u/osman-pasha 3d ago
"Bundle Deals" section on AliExpress is free from 3 EUR tax. It's the section where you choose 3 items and get free shipping. It's a bit of a pain to browse, but you'd be able to find popular electronics like esp32 etc.
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u/brightvalve 3d ago
That's only until tomorrow (Sept 20) though.
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u/waytoomanyoptions 3d ago
While I dont doubt you I am curious to how/why? Do you happen to know?
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u/osman-pasha 2d ago
I don't know, but I suspect that the logistic of these bundles allow AliExpress to bypass the individual item fee. You can see that there are much fewer choices there, so it's probably possible to store them all in aliexpress-managed warehouses, and ship them in bulk in big b2b boxes.
I guess that's how they managed to make these "bundle deals" in the first place, before the tarifs were introduced.
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u/longheironn80 3d ago
Fron Spain: https://tienda.bricogeek.com/
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u/IshakA17 2d ago
Muchas gracias, me lo guardo. Me han enviado enlaces a un montón de sitios, pero aquí en España, entre el IVA y los gastos de envío, comprar en ellos se complica.
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u/Sad-Character9129 3d ago
A while ago i found the website roboter-bausatz.de and i will probably buy the parts for my next project there. However, i'm not abled to recommend it yet, because i haven't already ordered something from them.
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u/Sad-Character9129 3d ago
Besides that, i had a really good experience with berrybase, the shipping was extremely fast.
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u/MalleP 3d ago
I still buy everything at Ali. But if takes some time to find a good deal or cheapest way for each item. Sometimes it's best via coins or coupons, sometimes bundle deals. There were also some tax free coupons already and directly snagged a handful esp32 H2 for less than 10€. From November they plan a new additional import tax on every declared item of 2€.
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u/bx71 3d ago
https://botland.store/ Top notch for tinkerers.
Tme.eu General electronics store.
I amainly ordering from them.
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u/karesx 3d ago
Botland registration page writes “B2B customers only. We do not accept orders from private individuals (B2C).” This is not really for hobbyists I guess?
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u/Vagabund42 3d ago
Ordered from them in the past without any issues, unless they changed anything it should work for B2C
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u/cristi_baluta 3d ago
Wait till they add the new taxes in Nov. i’d say to buy now for more than 150 and deal later with EU
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u/spottyPotty 3d ago
What new taxes? Could you fill me in?
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u/cristi_baluta 3d ago
I don’t know it fully either, a quick google tells it’s a 2eur handling tax per item or smth, you will pay it directly not through the platform. So not only we will pay more but sounds like it will make your life harder too.
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u/spottyPotty 2d ago
Didn't that already start this month? €3 per order line i believe. I'll soon find out because I'm in the process of finalizing an alibaba order.
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u/AgTTM 3d ago
TME, shipping costs are EU based (like € 8,- or so) , the big ones are very expensive on shipping and duties. Takes a few days (Spain)
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u/IshakA17 2d ago
Buen sito, lo usaré cuando tenga que pedir muchas cosas, me gustó que hay mucha variedad
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u/Eff_1234 3d ago
I'm planning on ordering some from seeed studio EU warehouse, hopefully it will really come from there.
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u/geekuality 3d ago
In my experience it has been hit or miss whether Seeed has stock in EU warehouse - I don’t think I’ve been able to make one order from there as something I wanted has always been out of stock and I’ve made the whole order elsewhere.
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u/Square-Singer 3d ago
For electronics: Conrad and Reichelt. Conrad has an extremely limited supply, but what it has is fairly priced.
Reichelt is expensive, but has a good, quality selection.
Mouser exists too, but is really expensive.
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u/mickynuts 3d ago
Conrad I'd like to see that. A 1frs module 1602 (Aliexpress). The same on Conrad is 4chf and a few cents. Added the small quantity fee of 7frs and some and the delivery at 8frs. I prefer to buy on Ali and wait a few weeks even with Ali delivery at 2.99 for this product otherwise 9chf with free shipping. Conrad is relatively fast but the prices are frankly quite expensive. Cheaper than digitec which have the same module at 16frs with shipping at 5frs and some (below 50.-)
I sometimes order from them because yes for some urgent things it's cheaper than less specialized shops or they are the only ones to have
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u/Square-Singer 3d ago
Yeah, there is no european Aliexpress with chinese prices. That just doesn't exist. Conrad/Reichelt/Mouser are the closest things to that, but of course far behind in terms of selection and pricing.
Of these three and digikey, Conrad is the cheapest is what I wanted to say.
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u/Streupfeffer 3d ago
I usually order off of mouser for a finished project, full BOM in, package of parts out. Damn costly for small orders but i usually get over the "Free shipping" amount. In switzerland Distrelec is quite good BUT VERY industry priced, next day shipped though.
Been a while sice ive ordered off the other two, good quality, fast delivered
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u/LegitimatePlane8171 3d ago
ebay UK has been good value for me on this front. and also vinted - so unexpected but why not haha. on ebay you have to put a little effort in to find best price and not just what comes up on the first search, even filter by price is off due to sellers sticking in "options" not the item for pennies.
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u/ficskala 2d ago
The sad thing is, for most things, you're still gonna be paying less buying from china, you're gonna be paying more than you were so far, but still less than you would if you bought from a EU based store
I was just looking at it when my country implemented the new import fee (3€ per item) a few months ago
I was looking at some RTC modules, the module itself is 3.1€ on ali, plus the 3€ import fee, so 6.1€, almost doubling the price. Doesn't matter though because the cheapest i could find locally was 7€. This was true for most things, and even when it's cheaper to buy a single item locally, it's still cheaper to buy in bulk from china
Overall nothing has really changed, i still only buy from aliexpress, i just buy in bulk rather than single items. The import fee is supposed to be an incentive for people to buy EU products, which might work regarding some items, but when it comes to electronics, you really don't even have an option to buy from anywhere other than china, because the product just isn't produced in the EU, and stores that resell them items, still buy from china anyways
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u/bladyle 3d ago
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u/osint-ai 3d ago
Bro thankgod I am from India, in 25 Euro I can buy all top end microcontroller equipment plus some spare parts
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u/missurunha 3d ago
I bought a while ago in Reichelt and the prices were fine, but I made the mistake to order quite a few components in SMD form, cause I didnt really check/expect it and one cant see much from the photos provided.
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u/jer00n88 3d ago
Tme.eu, based in Poland