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Yardbent

Yardbent

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John
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anyone bought a used film lens or camera from US

i'm searching for a Canon FD 1.4 SSC and there appear to be many 'mint' copies available in the US compared to UK at about the same price level

thanks
 
Are you allowing for customs getting it at point of entry and slapping VAT and Import tax on top ?
 
i have bought a couple of lens of usa flea bay private sellers and just asked them to mark as a present. never had to pay vat or import tax or anything else.
if its from a shop it might be dirfferent story
 
I have just had delivered a very nice condition Pentax Super Program (Yank Super A) for less than £40 in total (including fees).
 
It could attract 6.7% duty and standard vat if it gets stopped by HMRC (and the extortionate and ridiculous Royal Mail £8 "duty handling admin charge").

Then again, it might sail through without a problem. Buying from the US and paying with Paypal makes the transaction itself pretty risk free. I have only been hit by HMRC on one out of about 10 incoming parcels in the last year.
 
I've bought odds and sods like lens caps and filters often enough with no problem.

However, I'm about to find out with bigger stuff. I couldn't resist a very nice looking (described as 9/10 and the photos back it up) Mamiya M645 1000S* with new light seals for about £80 delivered to the UK. Even with duty and VAT on top, it's a reasonable price at a touch over £100.

* Decided I really wanted mirror lock-up which my M645J doesn't offer and 1/1000th and a second shutter release button are a bonus.
 
Last edited:
Dave1 said:
It could attract 6.7% duty and standard vat if it gets stopped by HMRC (and the extortionate and ridiculous Royal Mail £8 "duty handling admin charge").

Then again, it might sail through without a problem. Buying from the US and paying with Paypal makes the transaction itself pretty risk free. I have only been hit by HMRC on one out of about 10 incoming parcels in the last year.
Click to expand...

I got caught by that it was only a £60 lens but got caught for the fees it was not really worth it in the end
 
thanks all

i have friends in Vancouver who visit Yorkshire each year
a possible way round the International shipping + Duty etc

Dave - yes I'd use PayPal - maybe a prob shipping to a different address though...:shrug:
 
I've bought lens from business sellers in the US and have never been requested to pay any import duties, but that was when photographic kit was cheaper in the US. Nowadays it's cheaper to buy in the UK so negates any advantage price wise.
 
I bought two Canon FTb's from the US, one got stopped by customs but even with the import and handling costs it was still cheaper than any I could find here.

The other one made it through without as far as I can remember.
 
thanks all again ....


I'll checkout the ''ship to different address'' potential prob
 
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