ZacP Posted August 2, 2022 Share #1  Posted August 2, 2022 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have been thinking about purchasing a Leica MP from https://www.reddotcameras.co.uk in the UK. Due to the dollar strength vs. other world currencies right now and the resulting favorable exchange rate, in theory at least, it looks like you could get a Leica from the UK for a nice discount. Of course there is potential customs duty and taxes upon import and that is the reason for this post.  Does anyone have experience with this that they would be willing to share? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 2, 2022 Posted August 2, 2022 Hi ZacP, Take a look here Purchasing new Leica cameras from the UK. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Guest Posted August 2, 2022 Share #2  Posted August 2, 2022 (edited) Don’t forget postage/delivery charges they can mount up very quickly. I forgot to mention warranty. Is it valid where you are based? Edited August 2, 2022 by OThomas Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZacP Posted August 2, 2022 Author Share #3  Posted August 2, 2022 26 minutes ago, OThomas said: Don’t forget postage/delivery charges they can mount up very quickly. I forgot to mention warranty. Is it valid where you are based? There will definitely be postage charges but they are know beforehand unlike customs duties/taxes which can come as a surprise. As to warranty, Leica honors it worldwide regardless of where you purchased it. The only wrinkle is that if you receive a product that is DOA you would have to send it back to the country of purchase to resolve. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 2, 2022 Share #4  Posted August 2, 2022 @ZacP if you look on your government’s customs and excise website they usually list the duties and taxes for imports. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anbaric Posted August 2, 2022 Share #5 Â Posted August 2, 2022 No experience with importing to the US, but I can say as a UK customer that Red Dot are respected dealers who are nice to deal with. 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Schick Posted August 2, 2022 Share #6  Posted August 2, 2022 Red Dot Cameras are lovely. Have bought two cameras from them and the service has been exceptional. If the exchange rate and import costs work, I'd recommend them highly. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianman Posted August 3, 2022 Share #7 Â Posted August 3, 2022 Advertisement (gone after registration) Another extremely happy Red Dot customer here 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
logan2z Posted August 4, 2022 Share #8  Posted August 4, 2022 On 8/2/2022 at 6:59 AM, ZacP said: The only wrinkle is that if you receive a product that is DOA you would have to send it back to the country of purchase to resolve. I have been tempted to purchase a camera from Red Dot, but I am concerned that any issues with the camera out-of-the-box could be a pain to resolve across continents. Still tempted, though... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianman Posted August 4, 2022 Share #9  Posted August 4, 2022 You could also buy from Ivor’s other stealthier, trendy shop… Black Dot Cameras. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plaidshirts Posted August 4, 2022 Share #10  Posted August 4, 2022 On 8/2/2022 at 6:11 AM, ZacP said: I have been thinking about purchasing a Leica MP from https://www.reddotcameras.co.uk in the UK. Due to the dollar strength vs. other world currencies right now and the resulting favorable exchange rate, in theory at least, it looks like you could get a Leica from the UK for a nice discount. Of course there is potential customs duty and taxes upon import and that is the reason for this post.  Does anyone have experience with this that they would be willing to share? There was a recent post by someone who did this exact thing and everything worked as planned. Only paid no VAT price and shipping - didn't have any issues with customs. I've ordered lenses from Germany and Japan and don't recall paying any customs either. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giguchan Posted September 5, 2022 Share #11  Posted September 5, 2022 I was in this situation a while ago with my MP. I searched everywhere in the States and could not locate one for love nor money. I decide to search ebay and lo and behold I was able to find one.After contacting the seller i was told about all the hidden surprises i decided not to go through with it. I checked out ONE more seller...A Corporate Leica shop in Washington DC. I grabbed my Cash(they have limits) and a card .I hopped a train from NY to DC and off i went.  I still buy Film and other accessories from out of the country( when i cant find them locally).I think when it comes to High dollar Items. I'll stick with buying local. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted September 6, 2022 Share #12  Posted September 6, 2022 5 hours ago, Giguchan said: I was in this situation a while ago with my MP. I searched everywhere in the States and could not locate one for love nor money. I decide to search ebay and lo and behold I was able to find one.After contacting the seller i was told about all the hidden surprises i decided not to go through with it. What hidden surprises?  And was this an official Leica dealership? I bought a Rolleiflex 2.8GX 60 Jahre from a Leica shop in Europe and had zero issues or surprises.  That was a $4K camera. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
twogun Posted September 25, 2022 Share #13  Posted September 25, 2022 I just purchased a used Leica MP Black Paint from Red Dot Cameras. I'm based in the US and it was my first time purchasing a camera gear outside the country. They required a wire transfer for payment but everything went smoothly and I received the camera via DHL 2 days later. The BP MP was practically new when i received it. I was not charged VAT and even with the shipping cost I saved almost 1k USD than buying it in the US. Thanks to the strong USD exchange rate ! 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted September 26, 2022 Share #14 Â Posted September 26, 2022 The way the exchange rate is going we will soon have to pay US buyers to take stuff off our hands. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnwolf Posted September 26, 2022 Share #15 Â Posted September 26, 2022 (edited) My understanding is that most Internet purchases for personal use are not subject to customs fees. CBP.org seems to confirm this:Â https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/internet-purchases I've read so many reports of quality issues with new M-As and MPs. That would be my main concern. Still, the savings is tempting and if I wanted one I'd be inclined to do it. John Edited September 26, 2022 by johnwolf Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted September 26, 2022 Share #16  Posted September 26, 2022 3 hours ago, johnwolf said: My understanding is that most Internet purchases for personal use are not subject to customs fees. CBP.org seems to confirm this: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/internet-purchases I've read so many reports of quality issues with new M-As and MPs. That would be my main concern. Still, the savings is tempting and if I wanted one I'd be inclined to do it. John It would be covered by Leica’s international warranty.  So dealt w in the same way. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted September 26, 2022 Share #17 Â Posted September 26, 2022 The GBP is now at the lowest point vs the USD in history! Â This is the time to buy from the UK if you are paying in USD. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted September 26, 2022 Share #18 Â Posted September 26, 2022 For US buyers, a new M11 is now about $6200 buying from the UK, vs $9000 buying in the US. A new MP (silver) is $3700!!! Â US it is $5700. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
twogun Posted September 26, 2022 Share #19 Â Posted September 26, 2022 1 hour ago, Huss said: For US buyers, a new M11 is now about $6200 buying from the UK, vs $9000 buying in the US. A new MP (silver) is $3700!!! Â US it is $5700. Crazy deals if you can take advantage of it. Curious to find out which UK based site you used to get these prices for the M11 and MP Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted September 26, 2022 Share #20  Posted September 26, 2022 On 8/4/2022 at 8:45 AM, ianman said: You could also buy from Ivor’s other stealthier, trendy shop… Black Dot Cameras. Can never find it! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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