Has anyone bought from China/Hong Kong suppliers on ebay?

scottduffy

scottduffy

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I am looking at the Yongnuo ST-E2 Clone and i'm wondering if i will get hit with import duty. I've never bought from suppliers from Asia and i'm not sure how this works.
 
I've used hkyongnuophotoequipment several times in the past for Yongnuo flashes and triggers and never caught any duty or taxes. You could also try Trevor at CotswoldPhoto, also on Ebay ,who is based in the UK and stocks most of the YN range.
 
I've bought odds and sods, nothing expensive though, was pleasedwith an IR remote control for my Nikon for £2.99 delivered!, it's £15.99 if purchased over here!....just needed a new battery.
 
A lot of them will just mark the package as a gift or sample. This will avoid the charges, or you can get the value marked down to slip under the radar, but then you have a problem if it is damaged or faulty....
 
crashtestmac said:
A lot of them will just mark the package as a gift or sample. This will avoid the charges, or you can get the value marked down to slip under the radar, but then you have a problem if it is damaged or faulty....
Click to expand...

or if HMRC decide to open the package....
 
I have often made purchases from Hong Kong, in one case I purchased a Sigma lens not only a third cheaper, but got it in 4 days from ordering online. Not spectacular you may say, but I tried at least 20 retailers over here in the UK , Most of them didn't have it in stock and the rest were asking the RRP price. Rang Sigma asking when stocks were due in and they couldn't answer, didn't even know what was on the container ships. After I got this lens I rang Sigma again and was told it wouldn't have any warrantee and it sounded like I had commited the worst sin possible by buying from the far east. I pointed out that there was a 1 year world wide warrantee and they slammed the phone down.

Overall my experience buying from HK shops not only gets good service but prompt delivery considering the distance the goods come , and generally cheaper as well. having said that I wouldn't buy a camera from abroad only lenses and accessories etc

Realspeed
 
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have bought from linkdelight (they have an ebay store) twice and got first class service both times.
 
Well, the wife is an ex Customs Officer :) (So am I, but a long time ago)

Most of the UK inbound packages arrive at one of the Overseas Mail Offices, where only a certain amount of packages get examined, so dependent on what the sender has declared it as, you have a good chance.

I bought a Camera from the USA and it got through no problem, and yes it was declared as a gift and even wrapped in greetings paper.

Ive bought odd stuff from HK suppliers and have got prompt service. Nothing stopped yet, but only low value filters and such like
 
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