rivi1969 Posted September 29, 2019 Share #1 Posted September 29, 2019 Advertisement (gone after registration) After 2 months of going back and forth with emails between Leica customer service and myself, finally I got my camera sent to my postal address in Texas, but since its value is more than $2500.00 they asked me for my TAX ID or Social Security number which I don't have because I don't even live in the US, I live in Monterrey, Mexico 2 hours drive from McAllen, TX. UPS won't give me any alternatives, if they could send it back to Leica I can figure other option, but they just told me that the camera will be destroyed, or put for auction in the future, so I guess some lucky guy will get a nice silver M9-P with taupe brown leather that won't be me. I wonder if some of you guys have been in a similar situation that might have a solution? Thanks in advance! Ricardo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 29, 2019 Posted September 29, 2019 Hi rivi1969, Take a look here Apparently my M9-P will be auctioned by US Customs. :(. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jdlaing Posted September 29, 2019 Share #2 Posted September 29, 2019 Which customs office is in possession of the camera? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted September 29, 2019 Share #3 Posted September 29, 2019 Or Post Office......... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rivi1969 Posted September 29, 2019 Author Share #4 Posted September 29, 2019 27 minutes ago, jdlaing said: Or Post Office......... The package was sent by UPS, and right now still is in Louisville, KY. It was supposed to be shipped to Hidalgo TX tomorrow but it is stuck there until I send the proper paperwork. I will call them tomorrow first thing in the morning to see if I can add another person (who lives there) in order to clear the package. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
goatsby Posted September 29, 2019 Share #5 Posted September 29, 2019 If you have a friend that you trust that lives in the US you could divert the shipment to them and then ship it to a UPS Store for you to pick up, or have it sent directly to you. Having it sent to a UPS store may help with the equation.. Of course you could send it to me and I’ll be happy to help out. I won’t use it, I promise:) 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rivi1969 Posted September 29, 2019 Author Share #6 Posted September 29, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, goatsby said: If you have a friend that you trust that lives in the US you could divert the shipment to them and then ship it to a UPS Store for you to pick up, or have it sent directly to you. Having it sent to a UPS store may help with the equation.. Of course you could send it to me and I’ll be happy to help out. I won’t use it, I promise:) Thank you goatsby, the problem is that the person who gets the package (in case they allow me to divert it) would need to give their TAX ID or SS# to UPS in order to clear the package and nobody want to do that. Tomorrow I will know what the options are. And I couldn’t care if you give my camera a test drive, at least it would be safe from customs hands! Edited September 29, 2019 by rivi1969 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChicagoMatthew Posted September 29, 2019 Share #7 Posted September 29, 2019 Advertisement (gone after registration) You need to give them an SSN so they can asses relevant commercial import fees. It's hard to say what the final $$ will be, but it will be something. Whomevers SSN is given, will get the ding and be on the hook for the $$. I'd be surprised if it was more than $300. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted September 30, 2019 Share #8 Posted September 30, 2019 There is no commercial import fees on cameras or lenses to a single party in the US. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyturk Posted September 30, 2019 Share #9 Posted September 30, 2019 PM sent. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a5m Posted September 30, 2019 Share #10 Posted September 30, 2019 Maybe try getting in touch with the nearest (or any) Leica store and see if they can be of any help? Really sorry to hear about your situation. It's disappointing they haven't offered any alternatives. I've mostly had positive experiences with UPS. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted September 30, 2019 Share #11 Posted September 30, 2019 1 minute ago, a5m said: Maybe try getting in touch with the nearest (or any) Leica store and see if they can be of any help? Really sorry to hear about your situation. It's disappointing they haven't offered any alternatives. I've mostly had positive experiences with UPS. They get a little touchy over a certain dollar amount. It’s a security feature with international shipping. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a5m Posted September 30, 2019 Share #12 Posted September 30, 2019 42 minutes ago, jdlaing said: They get a little touchy over a certain dollar amount. It’s a security feature with international shipping. I get that, I bought a 50 Lux ASPH from Canada valued over $2500 but just got charged import tax (which was a first for international shipments). I was never asked to provide a Tax ID or SSN. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted September 30, 2019 Share #13 Posted September 30, 2019 1 hour ago, jdlaing said: They get a little touchy over a certain dollar amount. It’s a security feature with international shipping. What happens if a U.S. resident has to send a high dollar Leica camera or lens to Wetzlar for repair? Will U.S. Customs try to gouge them for taxes & import duties? Even though the U.S. resident owned the camera or lens to begin with?? If so, that is a world class load of bullsh@t!! 🤬 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted September 30, 2019 Share #14 Posted September 30, 2019 No. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted September 30, 2019 Share #15 Posted September 30, 2019 12 hours ago, a5m said: I get that, I bought a 50 Lux ASPH from Canada valued over $2500 but just got charged import tax (which was a first for international shipments). I was never asked to provide a Tax ID or SSN. Who was the carrier? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rivi1969 Posted September 30, 2019 Author Share #16 Posted September 30, 2019 12 hours ago, Herr Barnack said: What happens if a U.S. resident has to send a high dollar Leica camera or lens to Wetzlar for repair? Will U.S. Customs try to gouge them for taxes & import duties? Even though the U.S. resident owned the camera or lens to begin with?? If so, that is a world class load of bullsh@t!! 🤬 I guess you just need to provide information that the gear left the country for repair so they don’t charge any taxes 🤔 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
a5m Posted September 30, 2019 Share #17 Posted September 30, 2019 1 hour ago, jdlaing said: Who was the carrier? UPS Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted September 30, 2019 Share #18 Posted September 30, 2019 (edited) 2 minutes ago, a5m said: UPS Ahh. Mercenaries. After a while you get used to it. It is fees they charge to complete paperwork. Edited September 30, 2019 by jdlaing Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted September 30, 2019 Share #19 Posted September 30, 2019 14 hours ago, Herr Barnack said: What happens if a U.S. resident has to send a high dollar Leica camera or lens to Wetzlar for repair? Will U.S. Customs try to gouge them for taxes & import duties? Even though the U.S. resident owned the camera or lens to begin with?? If so, that is a world class load of bullsh@t!! 🤬 In that case I would advise to let Leica handle the shipping. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicabug Posted September 30, 2019 Share #20 Posted September 30, 2019 22 hours ago, ChicagoMatthew said: You need to give them an SSN so they can asses relevant commercial import fees. It's hard to say what the final $$ will be, but it will be something. Whomevers SSN is given, will get the ding and be on the hook for the $$. I'd be surprised if it was more than $300. I also purchase M9-p from Leica Wetzlar. You need to call international UPS customer service and give them your either a tax ID or social security number. Then you can pay the fee online or by phone. After that the package will be released for shipping to your destination. The total is $37.22: I believe the tax is about $27. The rest is agency fee, whatever that means. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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