jimford
Newbie
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
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
Malcolm
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
Newbie
Hmm, with Customs duty, Royal Mail and postal charges, it's hardly worth it then!
Thanks for the reply.
Jim
Thanks for the reply.
Jim
FujiLove
Well-known
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.
£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
Malcolm
You probably know this but imports from EU countries do not get customs charges.
FujiLove
Well-known
Correct. I wonder if that will change if and when the UK votes to leave?
greyelm
Malcolm
If we go I would expect us to have to pay duty. Like we already have to for Channel Isles and Canary Islands.
fanshaw
Well-known
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
Well-known
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.
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.