Metal 35mm cassettes from China?

[PetPhoto]

this is interesting, FOMA was selling, or is still selling those metal cassettes on their website. Except they will only ship to the EU. Wont send them to the USA via arista/freestyle.

The Foma ones are supposedly being made/were made on equipment they purchased from Ilford after ilford swapped to the modern style of both ends being crimped.

few years back, midwest started selling plain metal cassettes that popped apart, then they switched to a fully crimped on both ends version that is identical to that ali express product.

I heard a rumor on a forum that the latest or last orwo release was going to be on the pop top cassettes. But nothing definite came out. Would have cost 10-15$ per roll of that film here in USA.

 

[PetPhoto]

Metal snap cap DX coded 200 ASA cassette 35 mm, 8 pcs pack | Metal snap cap DX coded |FOMA BOHEMIA e-shop

Black (or alternatively Equicolor logotype printed), both sides capped, with inserted plastic spool, re-usable, unused, from the rest stock, each one ...

fomaobchod.cz

 

[ChrisPlatt]

I ordered 3 rolls 135-36 Ilford Pan 100 on January 19, 2025 from an AliExpress seller in China.
Today April 10, 2025 I placed a duplicate order. Interestingly cost was exactly the same as well...

Chris

 

[Alpsman]

I ordered 3 rolls 135-36 Ilford Pan 100 on January 19, 2025 from an AliExpress seller in China.
Today April 10, 2025 I placed a duplicate order. Interestingly cost was exactly the same as well...

Chris

Just because I was interested:
The Ilford Pan 100 costs €6.80 here in Austria, but I found the cheapest one on AliExpress for €9.43. So, it's about a third cheaper here. But I'm afraid we won't be able to compete with the shipping costs.

Ilford Pan 100 / 135-36 - www.fotofachversand.com - Foto Riegler KG, 6,80 €

Schwarzweißfilm, panchromatisch sensibilisiert, für feinkörnige und scharfe Negative

www.fotofachversand.com

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Individual rolls are high. Discounts are significant for purchase of 3, 5 or 10 rolls.
My price was about $7.50 USD per roll for three rolls, or about the same you pay.

This is the only item I have purchased direct from China in a decade.
AFAIK the Ilford Pan 100 & films are unavailable from USA dealers.

I posted this update mainly because I thought members would be interested to know that price for has not been affected by tariffs - so far...

Chris

 

[Coldkennels]

I posted this update mainly because I thought members would be interested to know that price for has not been affected by tariffs - so far...

Tariffs are put on once the goods enter the country, not at the point of sale. In other words, expect a hefty bill from US Customs once (or even if) the film makes it into the US...

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Tariffs are put on once the goods enter the country, not at the point of sale. In other words, expect a hefty bill from US Customs once (or even if) the film makes it into the US...

Good point. If so it will be interesting to see who will collect fees on my $20 order. I'll keep you posted...

Chris

 

[ChrisPlatt]

The Iford Pan 100 film ordered through AliExpress has been delivered.

Chris

 

[ChrisPlatt]

I received a $1.00 off "delayed delivery" coupon from AliExpress via email,
but I haven't received a bill for tariff.

Chris

 

[Alpsman]

I received a $1.00 off "delayed delivery" coupon from AliExpress via email,
but I haven't received a bill for tariff.

Chris

Every country has its own import regulations. If the value of the goods and the shipping fees do not exceed a certain amount, then they are imported duty-free and tax-free. This is because the small fees charged would not justify the expense. It also depends on how the goods are declared: as a gift, as a sample with no value, etc.
If I send a package from private to private in the USA and declare it as a gift, the declared value of the goods and the shipping fees cannot exceed US$100 for it to be imported duty-free.
Please note: A value must be declared in any case.
. . .
In a previous job, I dealt with customs officials every other day and learned a lot from them.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Like my previous purchase through AliExpress there was no customs declaration included by seller.
I suspect AliExpress ships numerous small packages together and pays the total customs charges.

With this years round of tariffs I have read claims there would be no more de minimis exemption.

Chris

 

[ChrisPlatt]

On 5/2/2025 I heard on radio that the de minimis exemption has now been removed.
I guess my April order made it in just under the wire.

Chris