CLA, from EU to US

-vin-

-vin-

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this cryptic title is just to ask you a question: I'd like to have a camera CLA'd from a repairman in the US. Do you think that I'll have to pay custom fees to have it shipped back at home?
 
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With proper documentation you won't be charged import duty on the camera since it's merely your own goods being returned to you. However, most countries in the EU will likely charge VAT/duty on the cost of the repair itself (that's certainly the case here in the UK). Is there a specific reason you want to send your camera to the US for work, or are you hoping to save money due to the collapse of the dollar vs the Euro?
 
The exchange rate $/€ is really favorable, so I wanted to ask the help of an american repairer...
don't you think this is a wise move?

there are a couple of good repairers also in Italy, where I live, but are really expensive, and the times for repairing are looooong....
 
Since it's a commercial repair, you will have to pay at least the local VAT on the billed amount.
Even with a low dollar I would not spend a fortune in registered shipping both ways and risk delays and loads of paperwork regarding customs, plus the probability of possible problems with the repaired item itself (resulting in shipping it back, all the way around the planet).
CRR Luton is the one I recommend and trust. The service is great and the prices are reasonable. The full CLA including new shutter curtains for my M2 was just 234 EUR (185 GBP) incl. shipping.
 
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Youxin Ye would charge you a very modest sum for a CLA; we're talking half (or a third) of what many others would charge, and he's excellent AND very quick. So it might definitely be worth a little paperwork. It's probably not that much of a hassle, just call your local customs office and they'll tell you what you need to do.
 
I can highly recommend Will van Manen as well.

Teus said:
how much does he ask for a basic CLA?
Click to expand...

For a Leica M6 I think the price is 195 Euro ex VAT, for an earlier M it is slightly less. Best to give him a call.
Also his turn around times are quite good.
 
andersju said:
Youxin Ye would charge you a very modest sum for a CLA; we're talking half (or a third) of what many others would charge, and he's excellent AND very quick. So it might definitely be worth a little paperwork. It's probably not that much of a hassle, just call your local customs office and they'll tell you what you need to do.
Click to expand...

As I said, I would not take risks. Especially since I read this forum post: link.
 
Teus said:
how much does he ask for a basic CLA?
Click to expand...

He CLA'd my M2 for 165 excluding VAT (BTW in Dutch). That comes to slightly less than 200 Euros. Turnaround was less than a week!

He also fixed my bargain basement Nikon EM and the sticky diafraghm of my Nikon 35mm f2 AF for 90 euros.

With his quick turnaround and good quality work/reputation I'm very pleased I've found him.

Sure, the dollar is cheap, but with all the shipping costs and (potential) paperwork is it worth it?
 
Will van Manen and Cathy are the people to send your M's to in Europe. He's just down the road from me and I've always just dropped stuff off and I get a call either next day or day after. Depends on the work involved but figure on less than 200 euro inc. A very nice guy who has always had the time to explain and demonstrate the inner workings of the bodies and lenses I've taken in.
 
I can miss my M for a month, so I wouldn't mind having my M2 with summicron CLA'ed for $100 in the USA by Youxin Ye. The dollar is cheap and I only need the lubing because my curtain drags at 1/500 and faster.

But eh, how good are the CLA's by Youxin, does he servicing and lubing aimed at long-term? I don't want my camera to get improperly flooded with grease, or in need of another CLA within a few years.
 
If you send some gear to the USA you might face problems with the customs because the might add some extra costs to your cheap bill. In addition, shipping to the USA and back is also not quite for free. I made a similar calculation a while ago and decided to send my gear to the Netherlands.

A week ago I got my M6, 50 Cron, 35 Cron, Nokton 35, 135 Canon LTM back from Will van Manen. The camera had fallen down from 1 meter to a concrete ground, the rewind crank was destroyed and the rangefinder not accurate after that. All the equipment was checked, the camera, the 35 Cron and the 135 repaired. He also added the anti-flare rangefinder patch and fixed a minor problem with a shoe finder - the price was absolutely acceptable, and the work was done properly. Highly recommended.
 
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