Problems with buying in the US?

Astraeus

Astraeus

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Ciaran
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As a few of you know, I'm off to New York next week for a three-week jaunt around the East Coast. I'm staying a few blocks north of B&H Photo & Video which, again as many of you are aware, is one of the cheapest places on earth for photographic equipment.

I'm presently eyeing up both the 35mm and 50mm f/1.8 primes (not sure which focal length is more useful on a crop body) and B&H do them both at very reasonable prices (£120 and £50 respectively). They offer alternatives of "Nikon - USA" and "Nikon - Imported".

What problems would arise with customs and warranties if I bought in the US? I plan on bringing the lens back sans box so as to not give it away that it was purchased in the US but I would still like to benefit from a warranty. :shrug:
 
I have a friend that works in Customs and Exercise and he assures me Ciaran they will discuss it with you on the way back. :lol:

On another note i dont think you can have your cake and eat it m8. It's lenses and no warranty or buy them in the UK and get a warranty.

*Update* It seems you might be able to benefit from a warranty if you get the retailer to put your home address on the receipt.
 
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CraigF said:
I have a friend that works in Customs and Exercise and he assures me Ciaran they will discuss it with you on the way back. :lol:

On another note i dont think you can have your cake and eat it m8. It's lenses and no warranty or buy them in the UK and get a warranty.

*Update* It seems you might be able to benefit from a warranty if you get the retailer to put your home address on the receipt.
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Interesting. Where did you find this out? Nikon's website says their International Warranty covers defects for one year from the purchase. :shrug:

The HMRC website says I'm able to bring back goods up to the value of £390 from a non-EU country, leaving me with plenty of leeway when bringing this lens back, even if it is packaged as new.

Keep shtum with your friend please! :geek:
 
CraigF said:
I have a friend that works in Customs and Exercise and he assures me Ciaran they will discuss it with you on the way back. :lol:
.
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:D

I think you're scuppered on the warranty.

FWIW I've bought lenses and other kit all over the world and just carried them home in my camera bag or on camera and I've never once been challenged by customs in over 500 entries into the UK or US.
 
For those prices would it really be worth the hassle of worrying about a warranty, just enjoy your holiday :shrug:

Use in anger while your there and change before you leave if not up to scratch.
 
PerfectSpeed said:
For those prices would it really be worth the hassle of worrying about a warranty, just enjoy your holiday :shrug:

Use in anger while your there and change before you leave if not up to scratch.
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Could well be the way to look at it but I always enjoy the security of a warranty despite, touch wood, never having had to use one on any items I've purchased. :razz:

AB22, why do you say I'm scuppered? Does the info I pulled up on the 1-year warranty not apply? :bang:
 
Nikon's world-wide warranty will cover you provided a) you are the original purchaser, b) you have the original purchase receipt and c) you buy from a Nikon approved retailer. Don't matter where in the world that retailer is ... been there, done that and claimed on the warranty with absolutely no hassle.

B&H's store is AWESOME :thumbs:
 
Never had any problems bringing stuff back, it was in my camera bag in hand luggage, boxes and manuals etc in the hold luggage. If your worried about the boxes take a jiffy bag with your address on and stick them in the mail to yourself.

But there are official routes and customs etc so just be aware they may stop you.
 
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Bristolian said:
Nikon's world-wide warranty will cover you provided a) you are the original purchaser, b) you have the original purchase receipt and c) you buy from a Nikon approved retailer. Don't matter where in the world that retailer is ... been there, done that and claimed on the warranty with absolutely no hassle.

B&H's store is AWESOME :thumbs:
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Fantastic, just what I wanted to hear. :thumbs:

Now onto the decision-making - 35mm or 50mm - reckon B&H's advisers will be able to assist me here or do I need my mind made up before I go? :help:
 
I have both the 35 and the 50 on a crop sensor, and found myself using the 35 a lot more than the 50. The 50 was just too tight indoors, and outdoors I didn't need the 1.8 so much as the light was better. I do like the 35.

Also, would the 50 require manual focus on a D40?
 
Just make sure you have plenty of time to spend in there - queue to get served.......queue to pay..........then queue to collect.

And check your proposed date to go there. They have numerous holidays, and they're closed on Saturdays.
 
sparklies said:
I have both the 35 and the 50 on a crop sensor, and found myself using the 35 a lot more than the 50. The 50 was just too tight indoors, and outdoors I didn't need the 1.8 so much as the light was better. I do like the 35.

Also, would the 50 require manual focus on a D40?
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It would, yes. All in all, I'm just about sold on the 35mm. Although it's also a f/1.8 so I still get the low light capabilities of the nifty. :)

MisterE said:
Just make sure you have plenty of time to spend in there - queue to get served.......queue to pay..........then queue to collect.

And check your proposed date to go there. They have numerous holidays, and they're closed on Saturdays.
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It's the Jewish holidays they seem to observe so I'm okay to get there on at least one day. I'm thinking of visiting very early after one of my early-morning photographic jaunts to downtown for sunrise shots of Manhattan. With only 6 days in NYC, I'm not too keen on staying in B&H for much of it!
 
When buying Nikon in the US:

1. Buying lenses is good - the warranty will cover you *if* your UK home address is listed on the receipt.

2. Buying bodies is bad. The warranty is invalid outside the US.

3. Get someone else to carry the boxes and packing through customs in their suitcase, or even better, post it back to yourself. There's nothing illegal in this, but it will deflect suspicion. Make sure you go through customs ahead of them.

4. Take the lenses back in your camera bag, packed just like you pack your other lenses.
 
MisterE said:
In that case you've just got to visit the old Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia. Have a look at a handful of my pictures as a taster here in this thread

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=241750

It's a brilliant place to spend a few hours. Easy to get to and park, or stop off on one of the city tour buses.
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My travel companion has already insisted we pay a visit. Unfortunately I think it will be the mainstay of our time in Philadelphia as we're only having an overnighter on the way to Washington. Looks absolutely terrific and a fantastic test bed for HDR should I decide to utilize that technique.

SLRist said:
When buying Nikon in the US:

1. Buying lenses is good - the warranty will cover you *if* your UK home address is listed on the receipt.

2. Buying bodies is bad. The warranty is invalid outside the US.

3. Get someone else to carry the boxes and packing through customs in their suitcase, or even better, post it back to yourself. There's nothing illegal in this, but it will deflect suspicion. Make sure you go through customs ahead of them.

4. Take the lenses back in your camera bag, packed just like you pack your other lenses.
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Thanks. I'm confused as to the advice vis-a-vis circumventing customs as the lenses don't go over the HMRC limit for what can be brought back so surely I could just waltz straight through?
 
Yes, it's £390 as you say - it went up from I think £140 or so not that long ago! Perhaps people are so used to buying expensive lenses and bodies they just find ways to hide what they've bought even if it's under the limit out of force of habit! ;-)
 
I've always posted the receipt, manuals & flattened box to a friend's address & put the things I purchased in the camera bag. Never had customs ever question or search it.

Helps if you've got someone to talk to as you go through customs to keep your eyes from giving them that quick guilty glance that they spot a mile off ;)
 
The Customs men learn all this stuff in the first hour on the first day of their How to Spot a Smuggler training.
 
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