IMPORTING cameras from EU -- tax?

[hrryxgg]

hey folks:

if i buy a camera body online from a shop in the EU and have it sent to me in California, is there a tax i have to pay at customs or otherwise? or do i pay the ask, have it sent, and it arrives without drama?

thanks!

 

[DanskDynamit]

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/kbyg/customs-duty-info

🙂

 

[hrryxgg]

hmm i cannot understand what this is saying?

the camera is from leica shop Austria.

they told me the tax would be $40; minimal, on $5k camera.

i have no idea how to verify this?

anyone know for sure?

thank you

 

[helen.HH]

Yes Thanks to Trump
We in the USA now have to pay a 25% Import Tariff on items of ‘German’ making

I wanted to buy from
Leica Mancheste recently / a leica camera
And was told unfortunately there would be
a 25% tariff
I obviously declined... sad, bummer

 

[hrryxgg]

interesting. the leica shop vienna did not say there would be an import tariff. perhaps because the item is used?

would be curious to know if anyone really knows?

thanks!

Yes Thanks to Trump
We in the USA now have to pay a 25% Import Tariff on items of ‘German’ making

I wanted to buy from
Leica Mancheste recently / a leica camera
And was told unfortunately there would be
a 25% tariff
I obviously declined... sad, bummer

 

[helen.HH]

The item I desired from the UK
Shipped to the States
Was a Used Leica Camera ....

 

[maigo]

Ok, here it goes.
It is complicated and I am not a lawyer (IANAL).

1. Find the HTS code for the product you want to import.
https://www.usitc.gov/harmonized_tariff_information
2. Shortcut to PDF with cameras (as of February 2020)
https://hts.usitc.gov/view/Chapter%2090?release=2020HTSARev5
3. I suggest that the camera is under HTS code 9006.53.01
4. Now the rate of duty is to be found in the adjacent 3 columns. The rate is applied based on the origin country and adjusted based on any trade agreements or Presidential orders currently in effect.
5. Column 1 (General) applies in all cases unless origin is under trade agreement or has MFN or other status (Column 2, Special) or under sanction (Column 3).
More info here: under General Notes on Rates of Duty on page 3. List of countries or agreements in Column 2 and 3 on page 6.
https://www.usitc.gov/publications/docs/tata/hts/bychapter/1401gn.pdf#page=3
6. I suggest your import is duty free. State and local sales taxes may still apply.
7. There is a note (3) beside the HTS code I suggested that references heading 9803.88.15 that applies the China special tariff of 15pc. Not applicable in your case.
https://hts.usitc.gov/view/China%20Tariffs?release=2019HTSARev20
8. All else fails, call USITC for advice:
https://www.usitc.gov/tariff_affairs/hts_help

 

[maigo]

Yes, there is a database search function on the HTS website but I found that understanding the process was useful to help me locate a more appropriate HTC number.
I am in Canada and used these HTC numbers on Canada Post customs declaration e-forms when I shipped eBay auction items to the USA. In most cases these items were duty free but when the database search said it wasn't sometimes I could find a better HTC number manually.

 

[Bmoze]

Not sure if this helps, but last month I bought a Leica 50mm DR w/goggles off the RFF classified from a private seller in the Netherlands. Smooth transaction: no tax, no USA import or customs fees. I also bought an M4 via EBay from Australia. That one worried me, but it was quite mint and arrived safe and sound. I paid 5% tax, no USA import or custom fees. You do get dinged by PayPal on the currency exchange, which I think cost about 2%.

 

[maartenmoerman]

Yes Thanks to Trump
We in the USA now have to pay a 25% Import Tariff on items of ‘German’ making

I wanted to buy from
Leica Mancheste recently / a leica camera
And was told unfortunately there would be
a 25% tariff
I obviously declined... sad, bummer

Not really sad, a flight ticket is cheaper than tax 🙂 pickup yourself, and have a nice weekend in Europe!

 

[helen.HH]

well he wants to protect the jobs of all those leica workers in america, as well as the camera manufacuring here!!! 😱

I sincerely doubt Trump cares ...

 

[helen.HH]

Not really sad, a flight ticket is cheaper than tax 🙂 pickup yourself, and have a nice weekend in Europe!

That does sound Tempting. ... 😉

 

[splitimageview]

there should not be any duties on an import of a 35mm film camera to the US, unless the seller uses the incorrect harmonized code, or describes it incorrectly (and doesn't use a code. Without a code, it's up to the customs people to determine how it is coded and whether duties will be collected.)

tell the seller to use 9006.51.00, ‘used 35mm film camera’

I did this with an M5 just last month, zero duties...I've bought many cameras from overseas over the past few years, never any duty.

The tariff mentioned above only applies to lenses, not bodies. it's a different code: 9002.11.90. Don't use that one!

Further, have it sent via Express Mail (EMS) (i.e., the post office), not Fedex/UPS, if you can. The commercial carriers will sometimes charge a brokerage fee; the post will not.

My guess is the $40 you were quoted is actually a brokerage fee, payable to the shipping company.

Of course you may prefer Fedex/UPS for somewhat faster delivery, and that may be worth $40 to you...

 

[David Hughes]

You can't escape taxes; they are like death and the measles.


Regards, David

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

That does sound Tempting. ... 😉

You'd love Manchester. The Northern Quarter there has to be one of the tops for street photography. Grimy and grafittied with oodles of character.

 

[helen.HH]

Cool Charles, Thanks !

 

[helen.HH]

Here is the email from Leica Manchester re: the tariff

”Hi Helen,

Thank you for your order.

I just wanted to drop you an email just to pre warn you that currently there is a 25% import tariff on German Imports to the USA.

Just wanted to check that you still wanted to go ahead with your order.

We have had some big bills drop to some of our US customers over the past couple of months.

Kind regards”

 

[splitimageview]

That’s incorrect, it’s not a blanket tariff on ‘German imports.’

The only photo-related tariff is on lenses.

The OP wants a body, not a lens.

Tell the vendor/seller to use the customs code I posted above, along with the description, and there will not be any duties at all.

 

[splitimageview]

For those who are into reading arcane government documents on the subject 😀, attached are the relevant screen shots.

Further note: if one were to purchase a camera with a lens, and use the code and description above (9006.51.00, ‘used 35mm film camera’), I would be shocked if any tariffs were collected. So if you want a lens, have them ship it along with a worthless body. 🙂

 

[David Hughes]

Harmonised?

Harmonised?

Well, I got that wrong. I thought it meant " to cause (two or more things) to be combined or to go together in a pleasing or effective way".

Hands up all those of you who are pleased by it...

Regards, David