U.K. Customs Charges?

[jimford]

I'm looking to get a Fed 2*. There are many to be bought from the Ukraine and Russia, but I'm a bit put off by the postal charges. I could also take a 'hit' from U.K. customs.

What are U.K. purchasers experience of U.K. customs when buying from Russia or the Ukraine?

* I've recently started to fret over getting a mechanical rangefinder camera. I don't know why - I've got 3 DSLRs with several quality lenses. Maybe it's a hankering to go back to a simpler life, or nostalgia over my Zenit 3M that I bought new as my first camera in the 60s!

Jim

 

[greyelm]

If the declared value is £15 or less then there is no charge otherwise you get charged duty and a fee by the post office. See this link http://www.royalmail.com/personal/help-and-support/Ive-received-a-card-asking-for-a-payment

 

[jimford]

Hmm, with Customs duty, Royal Mail and postal charges, it's hardly worth it then!

Thanks for the reply.

Jim

 

[FujiLove]

My Mamiya 7 lens arrived from Korea this morning, so I can tell you exactly what I paid:

£357.05 for the lens including postage

Customs duty £13.10 (3.66%)
Import VAT £73.45 (20.57%)
Clearance fee £13.50

Total = £100.05 to the government. Equivalent of 28% of the original price of the lens.

As far as I know, the charges are the same whether you buy from the US, Russia, Japan, Korea etc.

 

[greyelm]

You probably know this but imports from EU countries do not get customs charges.

 

[FujiLove]

You probably know this but imports from EU countries do not get customs charges.

Correct. I wonder if that will change if and when the UK votes to leave?

 

[greyelm]

Correct. I wonder if that will change if and when the UK votes to leave?

If we go I would expect us to have to pay duty. Like we already have to for Channel Isles and Canary Islands.

 

[fanshaw]

A friend in Ukraine used to send me large boxes containing around 6 - 12 cameras and other photo equipment on a regular basis. I never had to pay import duty.

 

[joe bosak]

I used to buy cameras from Russia and Ukraine, never got charged. When I bought computer parts from the US, I did. I was under the impression that as long as the value of the goods is below about £100 or so, they don't bother.

Just found this online:

For imports into the UK, there are minimum thresholds below which duty and VAT are waived.
Duty is not charged if either:
the FOB value, i.e. the value of the goods excluding shipping and insurance cost, does not exceed £135
the amount of duty payable does not exceed £9

VAT is not charged if:

the FOB value, i.e. the value of the goods excluding shipping and insurance cost, does not exceed £15

see www.dutycalculator.com. Can't vouch for accuracy but agrees with my experience.