Reclaiming VAT in the US from B&H

Mike_T

Mike_T

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I'm planning on travelling to New York (again) next year, and I'm looking to pick up an X Pro 1 to replace my 5D2.

I'll probably head to B&H to pick it up, but I'm wandering whether they sell VAT free to non-US or non-NY citizens, and if they do does anyone know how I'd go about it?

Thanks!
 
Don't think they have VAT in the US,its a state variable sales tax.
Don't forget you will get charged duty and VAT by HMRC on your return,assuming you declare it.
I don't know what the results are if you don't declare it and get caught,I would think not pleasant!
 
Mike_T said:
I'm planning on travelling to New York (again) next year, and I'm looking to pick up an X Pro 1 to replace my 5D2.

I'll probably head to B&H to pick it up, but I'm wandering whether they sell VAT free to non-US or non-NY citizens, and if they do does anyone know how I'd go about it?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

There's no VAT in the US. You will be charged State Tax which is somewhere around 8-and-a-bit percent. IIRC you can claim this back at the airport.

However, you will be charged duty and VAT when you enter the UK.

Attempting to avoid paying VAT is a serious offence that may lead to your gear being confiscated, you being fined or imprisoned and your nether regions having intimate contact with a rubber glove.

Discussing possible methods to avoid payment could be ruled to be consiparacy - punishable by up to 10 years improsonment.
 
troutfisher said:
Don't think they have VAT in the US,its a state variable sales tax.
Don't forget you will get charged duty and VAT by HMRC on your return,assuming you declare it.
I don't know what the results are if you don't declare it and get caught,I would think not pleasant!
Click to expand...

hollis_f said:
There's no VAT in the US. You will be charged State Tax which is somewhere around 8-and-a-bit percent. IIRC you can claim this back at the airport.

However, you will be charged duty and VAT when you enter the UK.

Attempting to avoid paying VAT is a serious offence that may lead to your gear being confiscated, you being fined or imprisoned and your nether regions having intimate contact with a rubber glove.

Discussing possible methods to avoid payment could be ruled to be consiparacy - punishable by up to 10 years improsonment.
Click to expand...

I'm aware I'll be charged UK duties on return to the UK, hence why I'm trying to find out if I can buy without paying US duties - I believe Macy's have a system in place for this.

I figure it could still work out cheaper depending on prices at the time.

Looking at it though it would appear NY Sales Tax is non-refundable.
 
You pay 11% in the shop and you can't get it back. If you buy from out of state you will save the tax.... Get a friend in US to buy it and ship it to your hotel!
 
Beagletorque is right, state tax is unavoidable if your buying in a shop. But certain states have different taxes. California has a high state tax, but New Hampshire has none. I bought all my snowboarding stuff in NH, tons cheaper than over here and they have stuff to fit the more 'yeti' footed man.
If i remember right, Illinois has a low, lower state tax, by that i mean geographically lower.
Your best to have it sent to your hotel, time it right and I'll be there when you check in...but I'd call them to make sure they know it's coming and your aware of it.
 
My cousin lived in Hoboken, in New Jersey, the town is on the other side of the Hudson to Manhattan, with regular water bus doing the crossing. I had BH Photo deliver to her address, and NJ didn't have any sales tax on the purchase.

So if you know someone there, or can stay in Hoboken (retire back to NJ at the end of each day), to help avoid that sales tax, which on a large ticket item like you're looking at, would be a considerable saving.
 
I have a couple of friends who are in Omaha and Chicago, so I may see if I can get it shipped to them and on to the hotel if needs be.

Thanks for the replies guys.
 
when I read up on uk import duty
there is no duty on cameras just VAT
 
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