rscheffler Posted January 22, 2017 Share #21 Posted January 22, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) Anyone have any real world experience with this? I have heard that cameras are not subject to customs but why isn't everyone in the US just ordering the M10 from the UK there has to be a significant reason I'm leery of the UK flights scenario because you never get the full VAT refund someone always takes a chunk as commission. Or the aforementioned ways around this I would have to research well before trying this with boots on the ground. I'm intrigued by the online purchase mentioned above as this savings is the only way I can afford an M10 so I am very interested. Re: UK dealers who else to consider besides Red Dot Cameras? ps i like the expedited shipping strategy too I have purchased online from LeicaShop in Austria... though not a Leica body. Placed the order, a day or so later the item shipped with UPS 3-day worldwide service, cleared customs here in Canada and I only had to pay the UPS handling fee and the Canadian GST/HST (our VAT). The other scenarios I outlined I have also done. Why isn't everyone doing this with the M10 or other cameras? Some don't realize that Leica prices in the US/North American market are inflated compared to Europe. But I suspect there is also uncertainty if one hasn't done it before. There's the slim chance of receiving a DOA item, then having to deal with the hassle of return shipping and resolution of the problem. The savings is nearly $1000. It's not a small sum, but likewise, if something goes wrong, will the hassle to fix the problem be worth the savings? For some, a local or domestic transaction provides greater peace of mind. And buying from a local shop, if one exists, supports and encourages them to continue carrying products of interest to you... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 22, 2017 Posted January 22, 2017 Hi rscheffler, Take a look here M10 price. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
piblondin Posted January 22, 2017 Share #22 Posted January 22, 2017 At a $1.23 to our pound, you're going to need to bring additional empty suitcases! I don't know it's ever been that low an exchange rate. An American would need to pay import duties too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
otto.f Posted January 22, 2017 Share #23 Posted January 22, 2017 I looks odd to me, that the price in the Netherlands is about € 6600,- , in Germany it is € 6500,- This is the first time, there is a slight price difference between the neighboring countries ( and inside the EU ). The price is maybe different because of the 21% /19% Netherlands / German VAT. But still... a difference. Which might be one the reasons that the camera was not in the stores this last saturday yet, whereas it already lies at Transcontinenta, the importer. As far as I know Leica bei Meister does not sell it yet either Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
105012 Posted January 22, 2017 Share #24 Posted January 22, 2017 And in Australia the locals want to charge you $9,700, i.e. US$7,300 or about 6,000 pounds . (Not looking to buy at this time, enjoying film too much...). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lax Jought Posted January 22, 2017 Share #25 Posted January 22, 2017 And in Australia the locals want to charge you $9,700, i.e. US$7,300 or about 6,000 pounds . (Not looking to buy at this time, enjoying film too much...). That's something I haven't been able to figure out - when the M240 came out (or maybe it was the M262?), they said it was going to be cheaper than the previous model. And here, they're saying again that the M10 is cheaper than the M240 (or M262). And yet in Australia it's AUD$9700, which if I recall correctly, is more than the M9, M240, and the M262 when they came out. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollisd Posted January 22, 2017 Share #26 Posted January 22, 2017 An American would need to pay import duties too. I thought cameras were not subject to duty? Is that different from customs fees? Speaking incoming to USA Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted January 22, 2017 Share #27 Posted January 22, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hypothetically speaking, how would an American living in Spain purchase a luxury item in the UK without paying tax? Not. Unless you buy it from an airport shop tax-free and take it out of the EU or use a tax-refund scheme doing the same. Or have a European seller ship it to an out-of-EU address. Your nationality does not come into play. I am looking forward to using this system going to the UK in a couple of year's time. Come to think of it, this will be a great business model. Set up a collecting point in Dover where buyers from Europe can pick up goods that they bought tax-free from Europe and have sent to the UK. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollisd Posted January 22, 2017 Share #28 Posted January 22, 2017 Not. Unless you buy it from an airport shop tax-free and take it out of the EU or use a tax-refund scheme doing the same. Or have a European seller ship it to an out-of-EU address. Your nationality does not come into play. I am looking forward to using this system going to the UK in a couple of year's time. Come to think of it, this will be a great business model. Set up a collecting point in Dover where buyers from Europe can pick up goods that they bought tax-free from Europe and have sent to the UK. I'm talking about purchasing the camera online in the UK and shipping to the States. I would either then get it myself or have a family member or friend carry over. So I'm just trying to learn how this would play out via customs for the receiver as I want to anticipate any surprises. The savings via a favorable exchange sans tax is significant enough that it puts me in M10 camp whereas without I can't consider a purchase. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
microview Posted January 22, 2017 Share #29 Posted January 22, 2017 I see someone is auctioning an unopened silver M10 bought at L Mayfair on Thursday. Yesterday, offers were circa £4k but today it's crept up to £5k. LM said they could not offer proper receipt as it wasn't on their inventory, but new owner's name could be added for guarantee. An odd little story – is the seller hoping for huge increase over £5600? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted January 22, 2017 Author Share #30 Posted January 22, 2017 I see someone is auctioning an unopened silver M10 bought at L Mayfair on Thursday. Yesterday, offers were circa £4k but today it's crept up to £5k. LM said they could not offer proper receipt as it wasn't on their inventory, but new owner's name could be added for guarantee. An odd little story – is the seller hoping for huge increase over £5600? I guess either buyer's remorse or a calculated gamble on making a profit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
m0n0 Posted January 22, 2017 Share #31 Posted January 22, 2017 Anyone have any real world experience with this? I have heard that cameras are not subject to customs but why isn't everyone in the US just ordering the M10 from the UK there has to be a significant reason I'm leery of the UK flights scenario because you never get the full VAT refund someone always takes a chunk as commission. Or the aforementioned ways around this I would have to research well before trying this with boots on the ground. I'm intrigued by the online purchase mentioned above as this savings is the only way I can afford an M10 so I am very interested. Re: UK dealers who else to consider besides Red Dot Cameras? ps i like the expedited shipping strategy too Richard Caplan, London Excellent service by a knowledgeable and friendly team of people who really go out of their way to help. Nothing but a pleasure dealing with them. Sent from my EVA-L29 using Tapatalk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hexx Posted January 22, 2017 Share #32 Posted January 22, 2017 I hope that the UK price remains there for some time need to pop to RedDotCameras to try it out and see what it offers over my M240. Mostly interested in high ISO performance as that's probably the main improvement that would make me buy one.I use LV only on tripod, the lack of level isn't a big one as my tripod has spirit level built in. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamilmanafov Posted January 22, 2017 Share #33 Posted January 22, 2017 I hope that the UK price remains there for some time need to pop to RedDotCameras to try it out and see what it offers over my M240. Mostly interested in high ISO performance as that's probably the main improvement that would make me buy one. I use LV only on tripod, the lack of level isn't a big one as my tripod has spirit level built in. They have 57+ people in waiting list, so if you wanted to wait for 5+ months, you are welcome Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpwhite Posted January 22, 2017 Share #34 Posted January 22, 2017 I thought cameras were not subject to duty? Is that different from customs fees? Speaking incoming to USA There is a duty, but it is small and varies between lenses and digital bodies. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hexx Posted January 22, 2017 Share #35 Posted January 22, 2017 They have 57+ people in waiting list, so if you wanted to wait for 5+ months, you are welcome Uff... In 5 months pound might be worth less Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramarren Posted January 23, 2017 Share #36 Posted January 23, 2017 Unless my maths is off, the pricing of the M10 in the UK at £5,600 (£4,667 without VAT) puts it at quite a discount to the US list price ($6595 at B&H). The best part of a thousand dollars difference at current exchange rates. Using a currency converter, £5600 UK pounds today converts to US$6933. £4667 converts to US$5778, so buying an M10 from a UK vendor sans VAT saves you $816 in the USA. Then there's shipping: Royal Mail with a tracked service to the USA and insured to £2500 (I couldn't find a way to insure to £4700) costs about £190-£195 for a 8kg package that's about 12" x 12" x 11" in size (the size and weight of my M-D typ 262 in the shipping box). That cuts your savings by US$235 or so, probably a bit more than that to get the full value insured. Cost of Import Duty and Taxes for this kind of product, coming from the UK into the USA, is likely about $25 or so. So I'd estimate that you can save about US$500 by buying in the UK. Personally, I'd rather buy from a US vendor for that little advantage on this expensive an item ... easier to manage if any problems or return is necessary, and you're supporting a US business. That's not enough of a discount, IMO .. it is the price of a pair of spare batteries. I've done this when the difference in price was much greater ... Like my Billingham L2 bag that was selling for nearly $300 in the USA I could get from the UK for an all up cost of $179. That big a percentage is worth the hassle. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 23, 2017 Share #37 Posted January 23, 2017 An American would need to pay import duties too. There are no import duties on still cameras or lenses in the US — confirmed by personal experience. If the shipment is by UPS, they charge a $75 handling fee — so make sure that another courier service is used, which has no such charge — unless you can confirm that UPS has stopped charging this exorbitant charge. _______________ Alone in Bangkok essay on BURN Magazine Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rscheffler Posted January 23, 2017 Share #38 Posted January 23, 2017 Using a currency converter, £5600 UK pounds today converts to US$6933. £4667 converts to US$5778, so buying an M10 from a UK vendor sans VAT saves you $816 in the USA. Then there's shipping: Royal Mail with a tracked service to the USA and insured to £2500 (I couldn't find a way to insure to £4700) costs about £190-£195 for a 8kg package that's about 12" x 12" x 11" in size (the size and weight of my M-D typ 262 in the shipping box). That cuts your savings by US$235 or so, probably a bit more than that to get the full value insured. Cost of Import Duty and Taxes for this kind of product, coming from the UK into the USA, is likely about $25 or so. So I'd estimate that you can save about US$500 by buying in the UK. Personally, I'd rather buy from a US vendor for that little advantage on this expensive an item ... easier to manage if any problems or return is necessary, and you're supporting a US business. That's not enough of a discount, IMO .. it is the price of a pair of spare batteries. I've done this when the difference in price was much greater ... Like my Billingham L2 bag that was selling for nearly $300 in the USA I could get from the UK for an all up cost of $179. That big a percentage is worth the hassle. If you buy from LeicaShop, they include free worldwide 3-day express courier service for purchases 500 Euro and higher. But you're right, most places do not offer free shipping and it can get fairly pricy for high value items. And as a high value item (there is a price point, over which an item is considered high value - IIRC $2500 US), there is additional customs clearance involved, which when you ship by post (instead of express courier) can complicate the clearance process (you may have to process additional paperwork - it has been some time since I researched this). If shipped by courier, they will handle this for you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rscheffler Posted January 23, 2017 Share #39 Posted January 23, 2017 Not. Unless you buy it from an airport shop tax-free and take it out of the EU or use a tax-refund scheme doing the same. Or have a European seller ship it to an out-of-EU address. Your nationality does not come into play. I am looking forward to using this system going to the UK in a couple of year's time. Come to think of it, this will be a great business model. Set up a collecting point in Dover where buyers from Europe can pick up goods that they bought tax-free from Europe and have sent to the UK. Which they'd then have to smuggle back into the EU... Running the 'green lane nothing to declare' gauntlet of customs agents standing around, avoiding eye contact with them... always a bit unnerving. Not that I have ever had any reason to be! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecaton Posted January 23, 2017 Share #40 Posted January 23, 2017 Not. Unless you buy it from an airport shop tax-free and take it out of the EU or use a tax-refund scheme doing the same. Or have a European seller ship it to an out-of-EU address. Your nationality does not come into play. I am looking forward to using this system going to the UK in a couple of year's time. Come to think of it, this will be a great business model. Set up a collecting point in Dover where buyers from Europe can pick up goods that they bought tax-free from Europe and have sent to the UK. And how about the import VAT due when these "buyers from Europe" are returning to their EU home country with the goods in their suitcases or cameras around their necks? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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