rijve044 Posted October 23, 2009 Share #1 Posted October 23, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Last week I had an oppertunity to buy a DMR from a user in the USA, but much to my regret I was told by the Dutch customs that I had to pay 19 % VAT (for everything coming outside the EU) Are there any users in the EU, especially Dutch users that have similar experiences with buying Leica EQ from outside the EU? I heard from somebody who ordered a brandnew golf set in the USA, that it was delivered by TNT without paying import fees and VAT!!!! Thanks a lot for your reactions. Dre. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 Hi rijve044, Take a look here Buying a DMR from USA. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Overgaard Posted October 23, 2009 Share #2 Posted October 23, 2009 Last week I had an oppertunity to buy a DMR from a user in the USA, but much to my regret I was told by the Dutch customs that I had to pay 19 % VAT (for everything comingoutside the EU) Are there any users in the EU, especially Dutch users that have similar experiences with buying Leica EQ from outside the EU? I heard from somebody who ordered a brandnew golf set in the USA, that it was delivered by TNT without paying import fees and VAT!!!! Thanks a lot for your reactions. Dre. Yes, that's how it is living with marxism and four seasons It's quite odd that a product once sold with with export/import tax and VAT out of EU from germany has to be the subject of import tax and local VAT once again. But it does. Many people get their goods sent as "gifts" or "documents" which is then not subject to VAT and tax, but it's not exactly true and thus not leal. In fact the only true legal way is to pay the tax and VAT. I don't know if I would feel illegal if I went to pick it up and then took it home. And perhaps it is actually perfectly legal up to a certain amount. I don't know. I am registred as a company and can import goods from outside EU and deduct tax and VAT (which in effect mean it is not charged). If I sell to a non-company end-user I would have to add 25% VAT though (which in effect mean I get 20% less for it to cover my self as those 20% of the selling price goes to the government). In any case, no matter what you do, you should write your Minister of Tax. It's just not fair by any standard and just lead to making people criminals when they (which is a fact) try to get around an injustice like this. I'm not saying it's unfair to pay VAT and tax, but it's unfair to pay it twice or more every time a product passes the EU border. I've also wondered what would happen if one had the seller send the product to Leica for CLA and then have them send it to you. It might work, but basically you would have to walk down to the local customs office and tell them you received it (they would probably get a laugh and then either charge you or not charge you). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
topoxforddoc Posted October 23, 2009 Share #3 Posted October 23, 2009 I'm afraid in the UK any purchase (used or new) sourced from outside the EU has duty and VAT applicable to the total of both the purchase price and the shipping cost. Unfortunately that's the law! You can blame Brussels if you like. Charlie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsteve Posted October 23, 2009 Share #4 Posted October 23, 2009 It is the same way in Canada. Anything we purchase outside of the country and shipped to us is charged the duty and VAT. Its not nice to pay it, but in reality, they are only collecting the same tax you would pay if you bought it at home. Robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
etp095 Posted October 23, 2009 Share #5 Posted October 23, 2009 they are only collecting the same tax you would pay if you bought it at home. not for everyone,especially here in the united states.if i buy from an out of state dealer/vendor by mail or phone order,i don't have to pay any sales tax,as long as they don't have a store in the state i live in.if i'm not mistaken there are a few states that don't have any sales tax. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHAG Posted October 23, 2009 Share #6 Posted October 23, 2009 For the golf cart, the guys at TNT probably took it for giraffe toothbrushes. You pay customs and VAT everytime any eligible good crosses the border. I, for one, had to fight with UPS when I've sent my lenses to adjust in the US by DAG. Flying back to EU, those ***** wanted me to pay 750 € VAT/customs for a lens I've bought in London and sent 3 days to Chicago for adjustment and back to Europe. Obviously, I did not pay, but it's been quite a fight, only because their **** custom service did not file the proper documents when entering the US. Anyway, I warn you against buying photo equipment without paying taxes or/and customs. Everytime you'll travel with your DMR abroad, you would be exposed to controls, taxes, customs, penalties or confiscation. Better pay and travel safely. Just my policy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHAG Posted October 23, 2009 Share #7 Posted October 23, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Unfortunately that's the law! You can blame Brussels if you like. Charlie It was worse before Brussels. You had national customs and taxes in every european country. Fees for any US imported device were huge, then if you were changing country, going to live say in Italy, you had to pay again when driving with your M6 from Paris to Rome.:D Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsteve Posted October 23, 2009 Share #8 Posted October 23, 2009 Back in the 1980's some of my cameras were stolen and the first thing the insurance company asked me is if I bought them out of the country and paid the duty. I told them and had receipts to show they were bought at a local shop. The adjuster told me that they do not pay claims on illegally imported items. This only makes sense, as most insurance policies have an exclusion regarding illegal acts. Not paying the duty or tax when an item crosses the border is smuggling after all. Robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
twittle Posted October 23, 2009 Share #9 Posted October 23, 2009 This is all very interesting; not at all like my own experiences. I'm American and have had things shipped to me from several countries (UK, Australia, Germany, Canada, Hong Kong, Malta, among others) and have only had to pay import duty one time, and I've never had to pay any sales tax (our equivalent to VAT or GST) on goods shipped to me. I suppose this is probably the result of the US not having a national tax on goods--here, sales tax is controlled at the state and local level, and states technically do not have the authority to tax interstate or international commerce. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHAG Posted October 23, 2009 Share #10 Posted October 23, 2009 Of course, the US is the most customer-oriented nation on this planet, with some freedoms still in its basket. France being the worst customer-oriented in my book… Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
twittle Posted October 23, 2009 Share #11 Posted October 23, 2009 France being the worst customer-oriented in my book… Just remembered something I had shipped from France, too. That's the only time I can think of that VAT was not removed for the export sale... Most annoying. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
psquared Posted October 24, 2009 Share #12 Posted October 24, 2009 not for everyone,especially here in the united states.if i buy from an out of state dealer/vendor by mail or phone order,i don't have to pay any sales tax,as long as they don't have a store in the state i live in.if i'm not mistaken there are a few states that don't have any sales tax. I don't know about other states, but in California, you're legally bound to pay "use tax" at the same rate as the sales tax on those items bought elsewhere and have had shipped to you. One is supposed to report those purchases on the income tax form and pay the applicable tax. Guess how many people actually do that? I have also purchased photography equipment from abroad and had them delivered to me. I did not have to pay any tariffs or import duties on any of them. Apparently you can import still camera and accessories into the US without paying any taxes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
twittle Posted October 24, 2009 Share #13 Posted October 24, 2009 I don't know about other states, but in California, you're legally bound to pay "use tax" Many states are the same, and while technically true, that's an essentially unenforceable law. And I'm sure that if anyone wanted to fight it constitutionally, they'd have a good chance of victory in the Supreme Court. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rijve044 Posted October 25, 2009 Author Share #14 Posted October 25, 2009 Thanks for all your comments and reactions. Was really helpfull. Made me feel to relativize this matter. (laws are what they are). Thanks Thorsten for your extensively survey (as usual) right to the point and with a sense of humour. Hell Stampes, your toothbrushes were real LOL (couldn't stop) and all the other Charlie, Robert, OTP095, TWITTLE and Peter Pak, nice to read. I will re consider this option to digitalize my R lenses although technology is 4 years old. But Canikon isn't an option for wide angle (19 II/ 24) due to mirror problems. Other lenses are cron 35/ 50/ 90 mm. Price for DMR in mint condition is about € 2200,- incl. shipment so not bad I think. Will revert to this thread as soon I have decided. Best. Dre. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHAG Posted October 25, 2009 Share #15 Posted October 25, 2009 rijve : 2200 €, if for a DMR, is a good price. For giraffe toothbrushes, it's a real bargain. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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