dkmoore Posted June 8, 2019 Share #1  Posted June 8, 2019 Advertisement (gone after registration) Forum members, Does anyone have any clue what import duty and taxes would be for a Leica digital camera purchasing from UK and shipping to USA? I have tried a bunch of online calculators and they all give you something DIFFERENT 😂 Last thing I want to do is buy the camera and pay $2k in duty and taxes... Thank you in advance for your help! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 8, 2019 Posted June 8, 2019 Hi dkmoore, Take a look here Import Duties and Taxes. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
scott kirkpatrick Posted June 8, 2019 Share #2  Posted June 8, 2019 I've purchased lenses in the UK and received them in the US as recently as last year. Paid no duty on that, although shipping was a bit expensive. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted June 8, 2019 Author Share #3  Posted June 8, 2019 (edited) thanks for the reply. If the lenses were under $2,500 they are exempt. The camera is $5k so I am hoping someone has done this and can provide definitive info. There are different codes for camera bodies/lenses that trigger different duties. Edited June 8, 2019 by dkmoore Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Kilmister Posted June 8, 2019 Share #4 Â Posted June 8, 2019 (edited) My understanding of this complex area is that new cameras would be liable for import duty. Used equipment would probably be free of duty. Lenses are normally imported free of duty anywhere in the western world. I may be wrong and the best thing to do is to ask locally as your state can impose its own taxes. Anything worth USD 5000 is likely to be seen as a 'luxury' item and taxed so best to check and get an answer in writing from an official. Sometimes it is cheaper to take a flight to the UK, buy the item(s) and fly back than it is to face duty, state tax and shipping costs. Â Â Edited June 8, 2019 by Peter Kilmister 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted June 8, 2019 Author Share #5  Posted June 8, 2019 I will give them a call on Monday if I don't get any definitive answers over the weekend. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted June 8, 2019 Share #6 Â Posted June 8, 2019 (edited) Deleted. Edited June 8, 2019 by jdlaing Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted June 8, 2019 Author Share #7  Posted June 8, 2019 Advertisement (gone after registration) 1 hour ago, Peter Kilmister said: My understanding of this complex area is that new cameras would be liable for import duty. Used equipment would probably be free of duty. Lenses are normally imported free of duty anywhere in the western world. I may be wrong and the best thing to do is to ask locally as your state can impose its own taxes. Anything worth USD 5000 is likely to be seen as a 'luxury' item and taxed so best to check and get an answer in writing from an official. Sometimes it is cheaper to take a flight to the UK, buy the item(s) and fly back than it is to face duty, state tax and shipping costs.   Not a bad thought. My wife would enjoy a nice weekend getaway with the hidden agenda of buying Leica gear. Ha. I like it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucerne Posted June 8, 2019 Share #8 Â Posted June 8, 2019 As a visitor to the U.K., you will qualify for a refund of duty (vat free scheme )Â Â if you purchase new from a dealer. Â So the trip to the U.K. would be worthwhile. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 9, 2019 Share #9  Posted June 9, 2019 As a return KLM New York - Amsterdam is 360 Euro at the moment, it is probably cheapest to order a tax-free camera at Schiphol Airport shopping center with Capi (  https://www.capi.com/ ) and pick it up. Hang it around your neck when passing through customs back home. The problem with tax-free when buying "normally" and exporting is that you have to reclaim the VAT from an agent at the airport and they take an extortionate commission. If you order and have it send the seller should not charge VAT, but you might, if unlucky, run into taxes and handling fees collected by the shipping company - it is a bit of a lottery. Note that Leica USA regards such a camera as grey import (also one ordered from outside the USA) and refuses guaranty. You would have to claim warranty in Wetzlar. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lykaman Posted June 9, 2019 Share #10  Posted June 9, 2019 Sorry, I'm a little baffled, if you live in N. America surely you can find a dealer who will offer you a discount/special deal on your choice of equipment, which might in addition include Free Shipping..Buying into the Grey Market can certainly cause problems later on.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeicaR10 Posted June 9, 2019 Share #11  Posted June 9, 2019 Dkmoore,  I usually call US Customs and ask them the duty on new camera equipment.  Right now, it is 2.3% duty.  The duty is collected via the shipping agent; UPS, FEDEX, etc..  The vendor in Europe must declare the full value of the shipment.  Used camera equipment from Europe if so declared, has arrived back to me when I am back in the US as duty free.  When I travel back and forth between the USA and Europe or Asia, I always carry my US Customs and Border Protection stamped forms CBP Form 4457 that I declared my camera equipment.  If you don't have that form, US Customs can seize your camera gear until you can prove you either purchased the gear in the USA or paid US duty on it.  The CBP Form 4457 has kept me from potential problems at least 5 times in my travels.  Store receipts are not good enough.  You can download and fill out the form online.  You must take your equipment with you to the airport US Customs office for item verification, inspection and stamped approval.  You carry the form(s) with you just like you do your passport.  If asked by US Customs, you show them the stamped forms and they let you pass with no issues.  Hope this helps.  r/ Mark 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted June 9, 2019 Author Share #12  Posted June 9, 2019 Very helpful indeed. Thanks. The 2.3% is what I found online which is reassuring. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted June 9, 2019 Share #13  Posted June 9, 2019 (edited) 11 hours ago, lykaman said: Sorry, I'm a little baffled, if you live in N. America surely you can find a dealer who will offer you a discount/special deal on your choice of equipment, which might in addition include Free Shipping..Buying into the Grey Market can certainly cause problems later on.. +1. And having a trusted US dealer can save lots of headaches (and potentially time/money) in the event of service/repair/warranty issues if needed. Jeff Edited June 9, 2019 by Jeff S Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted June 9, 2019 Author Share #14  Posted June 9, 2019 3 hours ago, Jeff S said: +1. And having a trusted US dealer can save lots of headaches (and potentially time/money) in the event of service/repair/warranty issues if needed. Jeff I have a couple of trusted dealers (Leica Boston & Leica Miami) and previously Ken Hansen (GRHS). To clarify why I am asking I am considering re-buying the M246 Monochrom. I had some issues with my previous copy and sold it. In the UK you can buy a brand new M246 with full Leica warranty for $4k USD + Duties (2.3%) and state tax (6.8%). That is over $3k in savings. BOOM  Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted June 9, 2019 Share #15  Posted June 9, 2019 18 minutes ago, dkmoore said: I have a couple of trusted dealers (Leica Boston & Leica Miami) and previously Ken Hansen (GRHS). To clarify why I am asking I am considering re-buying the M246 Monochrom. I had some issues with my previous copy and sold it. In the UK you can buy a brand new M246 with full Leica warranty for $4k USD + Duties (2.3%) and state tax (6.8%). That is over $3k in savings. BOOM  There are some US dealers that will sometimes provide very significant discounts, with full warranty, depending on model and timing.  I’ve dealt with your dealers as well, but there are other opportunities with careful research.  Can’t speak to the M246; I found a less expensive mint M Monochrom with new sensor and warranty instead. Jeff 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted June 9, 2019 Author Share #16 Â Posted June 9, 2019 I'm fairly plugged in. I don't think any US dealers would be able to touch that deal though, 4.5k for a brand new unit with full warranty. I am debating between the MM1Â and MM2. I've owned them both previously and both have their merits. Â Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted June 9, 2019 Share #17  Posted June 9, 2019 I could have gotten a couple thousand off the SL, long before the official discounts from two dealers (not on your list). The M246 is an older platform.  My MM was $3.5k at the time, mint with under 5k actuations, full Leica service and warranty.  A year later, I could done same for roughly $500 less. Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatihayoglu Posted June 9, 2019 Share #18  Posted June 9, 2019 I can give you my bank details, order the camera to my home address, I'll sort your paperwork and bring the camera to you (as long as you buy the flight tickets  ) 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwr50 Posted June 10, 2019 Share #19  Posted June 10, 2019 On 6/8/2019 at 10:00 PM, LeicaR10 said: Dkmoore,  I usually call US Customs and ask them the duty on new camera equipment.  Right now, it is 2.3% duty.  The duty is collected via the shipping agent; UPS, FEDEX, etc..  The vendor in Europe must declare the full value of the shipment.  Used camera equipment from Europe if so declared, has arrived back to me when I am back in the US as duty free.  When I travel back and forth between the USA and Europe or Asia, I always carry my US Customs and Border Protection stamped forms CBP Form 4457 that I declared my camera equipment.  If you don't have that form, US Customs can seize your camera gear until you can prove you either purchased the gear in the USA or paid US duty on it.  The CBP Form 4457 has kept me from potential problems at least 5 times in my travels.  Store receipts are not good enough.  You can download and fill out the form online.  You must take your equipment with you to the airport US Customs office for item verification, inspection and stamped approval.  You carry the form(s) with you just like you do your passport.  If asked by US Customs, you show them the stamped forms and they let you pass with no issues.  Hope this helps.  r/ Mark ^^^^^^ This is good advice. Make sure the CBP Form 4457 includes the serial numbers of the equipment you are declaring. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott kirkpatrick Posted June 23, 2019 Share #20  Posted June 23, 2019 (edited) I live in both US and Israel. Israel has a VAT of about the same size as Europe's, so I usually buy gear in the US at bargain prices and use it where I need it. The three currencies (ISH, $$, EUR, and even GBP) are constantly moving, but finding more than a 10% arbitrage savings on a product that had its price set a year or two ago before the currencies changed is rare. But right now is one of those times, at least for older products. Still the savings has to exceed 10% to be worth the hassle of international inter-bank payments, shipping, arranging refunds of VAT, etc. Edited June 23, 2019 by scott kirkpatrick Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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