cameras from USA

Posted by: velofellow on 06 April 2004

I off to NY this summer and hope to buy a Nikon there.Does any know the import tax rate I'll have to pay on coming home?Cheers Tony.
Posted on: 06 April 2004 by David Stewart
Allow about 5-6% import duty plus the VAT which is levied on the combined item value + duty.

David
Posted on: 06 April 2004 by Two-Sheds
A friend I know looked at buying a digital camera here in Canada, but it worked out cheaper getting it in Luxembourg. Not sure if it would be the same for Nikon's.

If you are here for a while you may also want to consider getting it from Canada since if you take it out of Canada you can claim back the taxes.
Posted on: 07 April 2004 by Derek Wright
However be aware that if the customs chaps want to take you (suppose that they have detected other dodgy items on you and they are examining you) they can tell if your prematurely worn camera has been legally imported by checking the serial number of the camera against their records of what cameras have been imported

Also cameras destined for different continents can have different cosmetic features - again which helps the customs to spot a "wrong un"

Derek

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Posted on: 07 April 2004 by sonofcolin
Tony,

Easy one. I do this all the time.
Buy the camera. Pay the US sales tax (3-7% depending on the state you are in). Use the camera. Discard packaging.

If you are stopped by UK customs and asked "anything to declare" say no. If they go through your stuff (unlikely unless you are carrying a load of alcohol and cigarettes) say that you lost your camera and had to buy a new one. Show them the sales receipt if it is asked for. Use the "but I've already paid sales tax line." Don't say it was stolen as they would want to see a police report for insurance. Don't offer any more info than is requested.

Customs officials aren't interested in trying to get import duty for one used item unless you annoy them!

Another method is to post it. Again, I've done this with a number of items and have never had any hassle. This method isn't as reliable as the above mentioned.

good luck!

Colin