MJ_Golfnut Posted March 23, 2019 Share #1 Posted March 23, 2019 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi, Has anyone bought their M10's either through eBay from overseas camera stores (Hong Kong or Japan) or from Europe while on a trip? For the eBay purchase, did you have to pay duty when the shipper shipped to the U.S.? I want to hear about your experience. I'm debating whether to wait to purchase my M10-P when I'm in Europe this October, purchase now from overseas camera stores or from a U.S. retailer such as B&H Photos. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 23, 2019 Posted March 23, 2019 Hi MJ_Golfnut, Take a look here M10-P Buying Overseas. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jaapv Posted March 23, 2019 Share #2 Posted March 23, 2019 Note that Leica USA regards this as grey market. You can't get repairs under guaranty in the USA, but will have to use the factory warranty and ship to Wetzlar. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreasG Posted March 23, 2019 Share #3 Posted March 23, 2019 The Leica pricing in Japan, e.g., at Yodobashi or Biccamera is far above of the pricing in Germany, occasionally at Lemon Camera you find a bargain, but not for brand new cameras. Though the 8% consumption tax in Japan is refunded in case of export, you need to follow the import duty and taxation procedures in your home country. Andreas Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
madrigalmaster Posted March 23, 2019 Share #4 Posted March 23, 2019 I have always considered refusal by camera makers to repair cameras in the US when bought legally abroad as a very cynical policy. If a camera is produced by Leica then Leica should stand behind its products fully. A camera bought at a Leica store in France or Portugal etc should be as good as one bought at a Leica store in the US. Is it not produced with the same care and quality control?.Are they saying things produced for other countries are not as good? it is all about money and it is completly wrong Luis Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted March 23, 2019 Share #5 Posted March 23, 2019 1 hour ago, jaapv said: Note that Leica USA regards this as grey market. You can't get repairs under guaranty in the USA, but will have to use the factory warranty and ship to Wetzlar. I'm not sure if this is still the case. I bought a 50 Lux from a dealer in Switzerland and I also bought a grey market Monochrom V1 from Asia. Leica USA worked on both of these items within the last 4 or so years. Maybe they didn't realize they were from oversees? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRTZMO Posted March 23, 2019 Share #6 Posted March 23, 2019 As a long term resident of Tokyo, there are no Leica “deals” in Japan. Reputable online resellers exist, and tend to be below crazy eBay trends, but I believe you’ll do better in USA if you can buy without tax. https://www.rangefinder.com.hk/ – these Hong Kong sellers do a great job for me, if you’re in Asia with money to burn. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicabug Posted March 24, 2019 Share #7 Posted March 24, 2019 Advertisement (gone after registration) I had bought from Rangefinder Hong Kong and shipping to US without any duty. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
T25UFO Posted March 24, 2019 Share #8 Posted March 24, 2019 It is the responsibility of the person importing to pay the duty. A reputable dealer will file all the relevant documentation and will not falsify the invoice to avoid or reduce the duty payable. I recently looked into buying the 'Your Mark' Monochrom edition, which is only available in the USA. I live in the UK and as far as I can establish there is import duty payable on camera lenses, but not on the actual camera. The HMRC website is not totally clear on this; what is clear is that I would then have to pay VAT on the total invoice, including VAT on the duty plus any shipping charges. The camera (and 35mm lens) is listed at $13,950, which doesn't include sales tax if purchased locally. I corresponded with Leica Store Miami who would add 7% sales tax if I purchased in store (I have a business trip to Miami in June) or they would sell at the list price with no shipping charge if I ordered from the UK. If I bought while in Miami, my understanding is that I would still be legally responsible to declare the purchase on returning to the UK and (presumably) subject to the same additional taxes. I estimate the additional tax (duty and VAT) would be about $4,000. By the way, a big 👍👍👍for Leica Store Miami who responded very quickly to explain everything. I'm still undecided. It's a lovely camera but perhaps not an $18,000 camera! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedaes Posted March 24, 2019 Share #9 Posted March 24, 2019 30 minutes ago, T25UFO said: . I estimate the additional tax (duty and VAT) would be about $4,000. By the way, a big 👍👍👍for Leica Store Miami who responded very quickly to explain everything. I'm still undecided. It's a lovely camera but perhaps not an $18,000 camera! Buy a regular Monochrom in the UK and be happy! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
T25UFO Posted March 24, 2019 Share #10 Posted March 24, 2019 2 hours ago, pedaes said: Buy a regular Monochrom in the UK and be happy! Or wait for the M10 Monochrom and be even happier . . . . Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ_Golfnut Posted March 24, 2019 Author Share #11 Posted March 24, 2019 Thank you very much for taking the time to respond. Your inputs are truly appreciated and helped with my purchasing decisions! I live in California and will pull this trigger purchase in the next 1-2 days. B&H Photos will start charging sales taxes for CA residents, so I want to beat the deadline. Now, I’m off to decide whether to purchase the Safari edition or the Black Chrome version. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simone_DF Posted March 27, 2019 Share #12 Posted March 27, 2019 On 3/24/2019 at 6:20 AM, leicabug said: I had bought from Rangefinder Hong Kong and shipping to US without any duty. I second Rangefinder Hong Kong, excellent service, although I purchased from them in person during a trip to HK. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
seekwul Posted March 27, 2019 Share #13 Posted March 27, 2019 I bought an M10-P from Leica Berlin, shipped to the US. I was going to buy while in Paris but didn't want to deal with the airport/detaxe process and possibly not get the full amount back. Leica Berlin was excellent to deal with - fast, accurate, friendly, etc. I believe I paid US duties but did not pay VAT and wound up saving more than enough to make it worthwhile. Would definitely do it this way again. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott kirkpatrick Posted March 27, 2019 Share #14 Posted March 27, 2019 (edited) I'd be surprised if you paid any duty, but a shipping service such as FedEx may have charged you for their efforts in getting the package cleared on its entry into the US. What charges did you have to pay to FedEx or whoever brought it to you, in order to receive the camera? Edited March 27, 2019 by scott kirkpatrick Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
howiebrou Posted March 28, 2019 Share #15 Posted March 28, 2019 I live in Asia and buy anything that is demand from Germany because they don’t bump the price up with demand like they do here. However for regular items, it is generally much cheaper tp buy here. Buying from Germany means you get 19% off the list price and with the Euro so low it can be very cheap. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plantagoo Posted March 28, 2019 Share #16 Posted March 28, 2019 Leica Germany always states to have a 2 year worldwide warranty. AFAIK the people in Wetzlar are not interested where the stuff is bought as long as it is under warranty. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted March 30, 2019 Share #17 Posted March 30, 2019 I’ve bought a bit from Leica Store Berlin - very helpful, though shipping seems very expensive (not sure why, €299!). They’re good to deal with, and you get the duty off, which FedEx, DHL or whichever shipper collects from you for clearance on import. Here, second hand imports seem to come through without duty being collected (not sure why). Generally, I get the best price and best service from my local dealer (I use two, actually - Progear here in Auckland and Photo & Video in Christchurch). I tend to only buy from overseas if it’s hard to get (it has to be really hard to get to bother), and second hand. M&K Camera in Hong Kong have always been good to deal with. That said, if I wander into a Leica Store on my next trip and see a Noctilux-M 75/1.25 or a Summicron-SL 35/2, I could be tempted. Not sure I could be bothered lugging the boxes back though, which would impact on resale ... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scranor Posted May 24, 2019 Share #18 Posted May 24, 2019 Most sellers will help you with declaring the item so that your tax burden is minimized Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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