Import duty applicability

Kev M

Kev M

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Is it lenses or bodies that don't attract import duty and is it only when imported from countries within the EU or could I import from the states and get away with it? Reason for asking is the sigma 70-200 2.8 is about £700+ over hear and is about $800 and with the current exchange rate makes it a pretty good deal.
 
I thought it, potentially, applied to everything Kev ... but I stand to be corrected of course ... :D








:p
 
Applies to compact digital cameras and dslr bodies only, you need to pay import duty on lenses.

p.s. you can also get stuck for VAT even on cameras since that is seperate from import duty.
 
You will pay unless you are lucky the following


example only

$800 + postage $60 + insurance $5 = $865

$865 converted to £ = £442

£442 + tax approx 4% = £17.68 = £ 459.68
£459.68 + vat 17.5% = £ 540.12

£540.12 + brokerage fee from shipping company approx £12 = £ 552.12

total imported price = £ 552.12


to buy in uk for £ 615
HERE

Or imported inc postage and with a vat refund guarantee for £528
HERE


Plus I believe Sigma won't honor non UK warranty.But Its worth checking with them first.

Sometimes its not worth all the hastle of importing unless you can save mega £

If you get away with tax and vat you will be ok, but none of the large photo retailers will under declare your shipment.

Have you thought about asking Kerso for a price
 
Thanks for all the info. I think Kerso only deals in canon stuff and I need a minolta fit.
 
There's always the chance you will get away with it, I did when I bought my camera from the USA via eBay. The camera came with no charges due so I saved about £160 on UK prices and figured it was well worth it.

I thought if I have a problem I can send it back to the states or get Canon UK to fix it, pay whatever price they want and still work out cheaper in the end. That was 2 years ago and I've not had any problems with the camera at all so the 'no guarantee' thing was a non issue for me.

The alternative is to buy a guarantee seperately from the likes of MacK Cam http://www.mackcam.com/warranty.html
 
Kerso will get anything not just Canon.

Sigma are very anti grey imports.

Sigma dont do a minolta fit in the 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG MACRO HSM HERE Only Canon, Sigma, Nikon. :shrug:
 
I got a Sigma lens from OneStopDigital and got charged VAT & Handling by HMC&E - I sent the original invoice to OneStopDigital & they reimbursed me in full (paid into my PayPal Account) - Top company Highly Recommended :thumbs:
Paul
 
Just got an email back from Sigma, as suspected they stopped making this lens in minolta mount when KM wound up and sold on to Sony. Seems they may look at the siuation again with the popularity of the sony Alpha picking up. Here's hoping. Until then I guess I'm stuck watching ebay.
 
Does import duty and VAT apply to 2nd hand goods too? Seems there are a few more of what I want floating around europe than we have over here.
 
import duty etc shouldn't apply to 2nd hand items as it was paid at the initial time of purchase...
 
mho01 said:
Plus I believe Sigma won't honor non UK warranty.But Its worth checking with them first.
Click to expand...


if you buy from onestopdigital they have an international warranty, well thats according to there website anyway, i hope so as i've just bought from them myself.
 
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