Sparrow
Veteran
Anybody know if there is any additional import duty/cost when buying new lenses in the US and importing them into the UK?
UK imports
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markinlondon
Elmar user
There certainly is, Stewart. Reckon to pay 6-8% duty + 17.5% VAT. There will also be a customs administrative fee and you may be charged by the couriers for dealing with customs and excise on your behalf. It soon mounts up.
Sparrow
Veteran
Thanks Mark, I would be carrying it myself so I should just have duty and VAT, do you know if the same thing applies second-hand
jesse1dog
Light Catcher
Hi Stewart
My experience is similar to Mark's.
17.5% VAT + £8 for collection of the VAT, but, there seems to be a start point - items listed on the customs slip on the parcel which cost less than $39 including postage, are not charged!
Fat lot of help that is to you though!
Its also illegal in the US for the customs slip declaration to be falsified in an attempt to avoid duty - or so I gather.
Camera spares, broken cameras, old film cameras all get the same treatment. The only exception is for items over 100 years old - or so I was told when I checked with Customs in Coventry a few months back.
Can't give you much encouragement!!
Perhaps you know someone coming this way, and, who could bring it with them?
Best of luck
Just seen your response to Mark.
Yes it applies to second hand.
Take a camera body with you and stick the lens on.
I would guess you would get through OK as it was your camera kit.
Worth trying?
j
j
My experience is similar to Mark's.
17.5% VAT + £8 for collection of the VAT, but, there seems to be a start point - items listed on the customs slip on the parcel which cost less than $39 including postage, are not charged!
Fat lot of help that is to you though!
Its also illegal in the US for the customs slip declaration to be falsified in an attempt to avoid duty - or so I gather.
Camera spares, broken cameras, old film cameras all get the same treatment. The only exception is for items over 100 years old - or so I was told when I checked with Customs in Coventry a few months back.
Can't give you much encouragement!!
Perhaps you know someone coming this way, and, who could bring it with them?
Best of luck
Just seen your response to Mark.
Yes it applies to second hand.
Take a camera body with you and stick the lens on.
I would guess you would get through OK as it was your camera kit.
Worth trying?
j
j
Last edited:
markinlondon
Elmar user
If you're carrying it, it's all down to whether you get challenged at customs. Whenever I've travelled with a guitar, I've always carried all the receipts but noone's ever looked twice at my cameras.
Like Jesse said, duty AND VAT are payable on all imports, new or used.
Like Jesse said, duty AND VAT are payable on all imports, new or used.
Sparrow
Veteran
I’d find it difficult to cheat the system, both morally and practically I wouldn’t want to show on HM Custom’s radar, the exchange rate may swing it, a £500.00 lens looks anything up to £100.00 cheaper even after VAT and duty
M
Magus
Guest
Post deleted by posters request
dll927
Well-known
Is there a government anywhere that is not addicted to taxes?
Some time ago a naval vessel of some type was supposed to pay a visit to Santa Barbara, CA, a city known for being high-priced. The city 'powers that be' informed the Navy that there would be a charge of $50,000 for use of the harbor. The Navy's reply was that it would cancel the visit, since that was " not in the Navy's budget". The upshot was the the city backed down, since this naval visit was supposed to attract a lot of people. They undoubtedly figured that what all those people would spend would out-do the $50,000.
Some time ago a naval vessel of some type was supposed to pay a visit to Santa Barbara, CA, a city known for being high-priced. The city 'powers that be' informed the Navy that there would be a charge of $50,000 for use of the harbor. The Navy's reply was that it would cancel the visit, since that was " not in the Navy's budget". The upshot was the the city backed down, since this naval visit was supposed to attract a lot of people. They undoubtedly figured that what all those people would spend would out-do the $50,000.
lushd
Donald
This has been talked about before many times - it always reminds me of the film "Brazil" where the poor innocent political prisoners have to take out loans to pay for their interrogation.
kully
Happy Snapper
Sparrow, I've never been hit by customs and I used to import a _lot_ of videogame stuff a few years back. And I've not been hit with lenses/camera yet either.
However, you should always count on this. After all, it's only fair on the US taxpayer. If the shopkeepers made all their money from overseas where would the US get its tax from? Same goes for alcohol and fags in the UK.
However, you should always count on this. After all, it's only fair on the US taxpayer. If the shopkeepers made all their money from overseas where would the US get its tax from? Same goes for alcohol and fags in the UK.
lushd
Donald
Well - at the risk of being slightly controversial, maybe the EU should open membership negotiations with the USA. Then we could all benefit from tax free GAS!
(Don't shoot me, US friends, I am not serious)
(Don't shoot me, US friends, I am not serious)
Sparrow
Veteran
kully said:
Yes I know, Manchester’s Red Channel is normally unmanned as I’m on a EU flight by that point, change at Dublin or Heathrow or somewhere
