Equipment prices in Japan

L

latercomer2

Suspended / Banned
Messages
253
Name
Allan
Edit My Images
No
Hi folks

I'm off to Japan next week on a flying business trip and was wondering whether the prices of equipment out there was lower/high/same as in the UK?

Specifically thinking of a Canon 430EX II which I've been offered as a pressie by OH but would need to source. And as I'm going out to japan I thuoght it was worth asking here for advice first :)

I guess availability would be an issue too as I'm going to have very little time to do anything other than work so would need to be readily available.

I accept there would probably be warranty issues :)
 
usually higher afaik.
How are you getting there?
If via Hong Kong then buy there.
 
And you will probably have to pay import duty etc when you fly back in if you get stopped/caught by customs.
 
I used to live in Japan a few years ago, back then Yodobashi was the biggest place for camera gear and suspect it still is. You may be able to get cheaper prices at smaller camera stores though.

Anyway, they sell the 430 EX II for £215 inc tax. I think you may be able to claim the tax back when you leave thought, not sure. How much is it here?

I always buy electronics when I'm out of the UK and brought back two macbook pros for myself while on business trips in the States. Just leave the box behind if you're worried about paying import tax.
 
Oh, you can search their site at www.yodobashi.com but it's all Japanese. They use the latin alphabet for model numbers so once you type in 430 EX it'll pop up.

Canon is written in Katakana like this if it helps ;) キヤノン
 
MisterE said:
The only purpose this will serve is to leave you without a box.
Click to expand...

The logic is that if you walk through customs at heathrow with a boxed, sealed product it's far more likely to look like you've purchased it while abroad and get asked to pay import tax. It's also more likely to fit in your carry on luggage, which means it's more secure.

I don't think there's too much risk involved keeping it in the box though..
 
Ploddles said:
And you will probably have to pay import duty etc when you fly back in if you get stopped/caught by customs.
Click to expand...

anthonys said:
I always buy electronics when I'm out of the UK and brought back two macbook pros for myself while on business trips in the States. Just leave the box behind if you're worried about paying import tax.
Click to expand...

If you but goods abroad you should declare it when brining it into the country and pay duty and VAT on it - not doing so is illegal and if caught you can not only be fined but could have the good seized too. It amazes me how often people recommend brings things in from abroad and hoping to get through customs without paying duty. Also trying to get stuff sent from abroad without getting caught for duty - in both cases the person who has bought (or is buying) the item is the importer and is legally obliged to declare them.
 
I didn't recommend he tried to avoid the duty etc, I warned him that he would be liable to pay it.
 
anthonys said:
Just leave the box behind if you're worried about paying import tax.
Click to expand...

Or, better yet, just steal whatever you want. It's just as illegal, you get a much bigger discount and there's little chance of having some burly customs guy getting intimate with your 'special places'.
 
anthonys said:
The logic is that if you walk through customs at heathrow with a boxed, sealed product it's far more likely to look like you've purchased it while abroad and get asked to pay import tax. It's also more likely to fit in your carry on luggage, which means it's more secure.

I don't think there's too much risk involved keeping it in the box though..
Click to expand...

I understand what you're saying, but from a practicality point of view, if a Customs officer has taken an interest in you, and he is looking at what you are carrying, then box or no box, he won't let you go until he is satisfied. They learn about the "box trick" during the first hour of Day 1 of training, right after the "How to pick out guilty looking tourists trying to hide something" session, So you'd be unwise to get his back up by trying to bluff your way through. I've accompanied a friend who got stopped once and had the contents of his camera bag examined and questioned. There's nothing you can do or say that they haven't already seen and heard before. If stopped, come clean right from the start and you'll either get off completely if he's in a favourable mood, or just pay the duty and vat. Any attempt at deception, and you'll go downhill fast.
 
anthonys said:
The logic is that if you walk through customs at heathrow with a boxed, sealed product it's far more likely to look like you've purchased it while abroad and get asked to pay import tax. It's also more likely to fit in your carry on luggage, which means it's more secure.

I don't think there's too much risk involved keeping it in the box though..
Click to expand...

If you get stopped leaving the box behind won't do you much good....if you have a receipt on you that's enough evidence and obviously they can and do seize credit card records. I suspect a two min phone call to Cannon tells there where the equipment comes from and Cannon are I am sure happy to help....
 
A lot of well-intentioned but poorly-informed twaddle posted here.

There is no tax or duty on items brought into the UK from outside the EU up to a value of £390 (£270 if arriving by private plane or private boat).

Don't believe me? Ask HMRC;
Http:/www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/arriving/arrivingnoneu.htm#1

So the OP's £215 item will be absolutely fine, box or no box, as long as he/she doesn't also buy a load of other kit.
 
You can bring goods back from non EU countries up to the value of £390, so long as it is for your own use or as a gift:

"Other goods including perfume and souvenirs

You can bring in other goods worth up to £390 without having to pay tax and/or duty.

If you arrive by private plane or private boat for pleasure purposes, you can only bring in other goods worth up to £270 tax and duty free.

If you bring in any single item worth more than your allowance, you must pay duty and/or tax on the full item value, not just the value above the allowance. You also cannot group individual allowances together to bring in an item worth more than the limit."

Have a read on HM Revenue & customs website
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/arriving/arrivingnoneu.htm
 
Each time I have been to Japan I have looked at the prices in Akihabara and they are more expensive than the UK.
 
Carrying a sealed box makes it look like you're bringing it in to sell. If it's unpacked and looks like you've started to use it you can claim it's for personal use (which the OP mentions it is). I'm not recommending to conduct illegal activities, I'm recommending the smoothest way to clear customs if you've bought personal electronics.
 
You need to know where to look if you want cheap in Japan- and believe me you can get a lens in Japan new for about the same price as used prices here.

All the big department stores are overpriced, but if you go to the smaller shops or distributors things get really a lot cheaper. Also in Japan you can bargain with the shops pretty hard. I'm trying to remember the equivalent price comparison website in Japan but I don't remember the address at the moment...
 
A word of caution

A few years ago I purchased a Canon in Singapore duty free.
I did not declare it on my return to the UK.
A couple of years later I went to Cyprus taking said Canon with me.
On my return to the UK customs decided to search my luggage.

They found said Canon and asked me where I had purchased it, my reply was Singapore.
They took camera away to check the serial nos.
They then told me that the Camera had never been imported into the UK.
Where upon I had to pay import duty and all relevant taxes. I could not pay them so they impounded the camera.

They have it to this day!
 
Thanks for all the opinions - guess its not going to be significantly cheaper for the flash and given I've got little time to do anything other than work I'd rather relax for the sake of a few £s. I'm not in the market for lens at the moment - need to learn how to use the ones I've got first :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top