Moving Countries with your Camera Collection

[shorelineae]

How would you go about moving countries with your precious analog camera collection? Does anyone have any experience in this regard?

I will be moving long distance and have mostly analog cameras (about 30 - don't judge me!). It's actually going to be easier to selectively sell my collection in the country I'm moving to (Japan) compared to where I am - so I especially motivated to take everything.

Should I take it in a suitcase? Or cargo it? Am I going to have to pay customs?

Any advice or pointers would be appreciated.

 

[JeffS7444]

I don't have that kind of experience, but have you considered asking Japan-based enthusiasts for advice about which items are likely to be in high demand, and ones aren't? Because Japan's got an aging and shrinking population, and I speculate that's part of the reason why USA eBay is glutted with offerings from Japanese camera sellers. Forum members have shared photos of display cases crammed with Nikon rangefinder bodies. The last time I had time for shopping there was in 2007, and even then I was thinking that there were an awful lot of Leica Ms there too.

 

[shorelineae]

have you considered asking Japan-based enthusiasts for advice about which items are likely to be in high demand, and ones aren't?

Good question. I actually have asked a few friends there and I'm told it's relatively easy to sell stuff online (Yahoo Japan Auction) as an individual but of course buyers have a lot of options. That said, I'm not looking to make a buck as such (although I don't think I'd lose money at current market prices anyway).

I'm set on taking most of my collection over - I just don't know what's the best way to go about it without losing money to customs...

 

[zenza]

I did this to Japan years ago, though not with anything close to 30 cameras.

I kept my most precious cameras and lenses on my carry-on bag (was pretty much the only thing in my carry-on) and checked the rest of my gear in a suitcase stuffed with clothes. It worked fine.

 

[sara]

Following.
I'm moving from Asia to the US and I have a dry cabinet and I don't know what to do.
I have some lenses as well. I thought of taking my most important ones first, leaving the rest behind with mum. But I'd have to switch off the dry cabinet.

 

[View Range]

Contact Customs in the country you are moving to. An agent will happily answer your questions.

 

[Nitroplait]

How would you go about moving countries with your precious analog camera collection? Does anyone have any experience in this regard?

I will be moving long distance and have mostly analog cameras (about 30 - don't judge me!). It's actually going to be easier to selectively sell my collection in the country I'm moving to (Japan) compared to where I am - so I especially motivated to take everything.

Should I take it in a suitcase? Or cargo it? Am I going to have to pay customs?

Any advice or pointers would be appreciated.

If you are actually moving to Japan (as in relocating) you can bring along most of your belongings untaxed (with some exceptions for cargo such as alcohol, chemicals etc) but I advise you to arrange for the paperwork to be done by someone experienced in the matter because there is a lot more to it than just moving stuff.
If you are just going there to stay on a tourist visa, your embassy in Japan would probably have the most reliable advice.

Regarding selling in Japan:; Yahoo Japan Auctions is a great selling and buying platform but is strictly Japanese, unless you communicate comfortably in Japanese you will have a hard time using it as well as establishing trust towards the prospective buyers.

When I moved home from Japan, I had accumulated quite a few cameras over 3 years, I brought the most valuable in my hand luggage and the rest in my luggage - the reason was that shipped cargo can take several months an may be exposed to intense heat and humidity on the way. Normally cargo insurance don't cover damages due to air humidity and heat.