Buying from America

squizza

squizza

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Because we live in lovely Britain, prices are a bit high. :lol:

I want to get either a 24-70mmL or 17-55mm L f2.8 and was wondering what it would ACTUALLY cost to get one from somewhere like B&H Photographic in America.

Help and advice greatly received.

Sarah
 
Here in France I really got stung for import duty, not sure in the UK but I think the same applies.
 
I was hoping that you could choose whether it comes labelled as a gift. :'(
 
If you buy from the likes of B&H you will need to pay import duty and vat, also depending on weight there might be quite a high delivery charge. Take all this into account when ordering and don't forget the exchange rate, if the item is still cheaper then its a good deal.
 
Added 160 euros on one bill and 28 euros on another, UPS would not hand over the package until I paid, lucky I had the cash on me :(
 
squizza said:
Because we live in lovely Britain, prices are a bit high. :lol:

I want to get either a 24-70mmL or 17-55mm L f2.8 and was wondering what it would ACTUALLY cost to get one from somewhere like B&H Photographic in America.

Help and advice greatly received.

Sarah
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If you bought legit from B&H http://www.bhphotovideo.com/ or Adorama http://www.adorama.com/ (2 places with good rep) then you would pay 15% tax and 6.5% duty on top of the cost of the item + any delivery charges.

24-105mm f4 B&H price $1199.00 + $320 (inc duty, vat + shipping charges) £955 @ $1.59 - £1 rate, actually works out more expensive than buying in the UK, cheapest £750/835

http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/prod31.html
 
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I've had this buying from eBay USA twice too, good old RMail keep hold of my package, make me go and collect from the depot (luckily just by where I work) and I have to pay import duty, VAT and a RMail holding fee. Soon adds up.
 
Not such a good idea after all then . Thank you all for your help and advice - really is appreciated :)
 
You could give Kerso a look up on TP and request a canon list of lenses, although even his deals aren't as good as they once were, £10 saving on a 24-70mm. Exchange rate not good.
 
I have bought stuff from the US in the past and getting it delivered makes it expensive I bought something of a value of about £40 but with VAT, duty and royal mails handling fee it cost me about £65.

I now have quite a few freinds all over the US who if I want anything I send them money via paypal they buy it and post it to me as a gift.

I was over there in September and bought a 580EXII and a nifty fifty $600 for the 2 not a great saving based on some prices you can pay but it was OK, I went to a samys.com shop. I was a little naive went looking for the 24-105mm and came away without as they had none
 
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Little John said:
I have bought stuff from the US in the past and getting it delivered makes it expensive I bought something of a value of about £40 but with VAT, duty and royal mails handling fee it cost me about £65.

I now have quite a few freinds all over the US who if I want anything I send them money via paypal they buy it and post it to me as a gift.
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Why not just steal one here in the UK? After all, it's just as legal.
 
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