Import Duties

[Appmax]

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I have the opportunity to purchase a Q3 43 in Europe and carry it back to the US.  My understanding is there is no tax or duty when entering into the US (per HTS 8525.89.40.00).

Has anyone recently purchased a camera in Europe and imported to the US?  If so, is my understanding correct?

 

Thank you,

 

Bill

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[jaapv]

The main problem is that it will be regarded as grey import, with guarantee only extended by Leica, Wetzlar.

[Appmax]

Thank you - how is that a problem?   Will Leica US honor an international warranty?

 

[jaapv]

No. You would have to send the camera to Germany.

[Chuck Albertson]

Not sure about not paying any duty. The first $800 is exempt coming into the States, but you pay duty on the balance of the value of the goods. What's that reference tagged on to your post?

[Appmax]

I found these on-line.  The HTS system shows "free" for tariffs.

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[Appmax]

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Just want to see if others have had any issues or duty surprises in conflict with my above research.

[aficionados]

5 minutes ago, Appmax said:

Just want to see if others have had any issues or duty surprises in conflict with my above research.

Carry the camera (filled with bunch of pictures in the SD card), and mail the empty box to yourself.

and claim nothing.

 

[Cogito]

“If your camera has very high-quality video recording features…” so you’re safe. 😐

[graphlex]

4 hours ago, jaapv said:

The main problem is that it will be regarded as grey import, with guarantee only extended by Leica, Wetzlar.

Maybe Leica US has changed its policies. But 10-15 years ago, I bought a few lenses in London.  Leica US covered them under warranty.

Edited November 24, 2024 by graphlex

[jaapv]

Quite a few complaints on this forum over the years. 

[aficionados]

1 hour ago, graphlex said:

Maybe Leica US has changed its policies. But 10-15 years ago, I bought a few lenses in London.  Leica US covered them under warranty.

Leica NJ confirmed to me a couple of weeks ago that my newly bought Q3/43 from Netherlands will be covered by them under warranty.

 

[jaapv]

Good to know, that is a policy change then.

[graphlex]

Strikes me that penalizing purchases from outside the US serves mainly to protect unaffiliated US dealers. Which Leica may not care much about now  

[jbripley]

I bought a Q3 43 from Leica Amsterdam. They removed the VAT, added some cost for shipping, and that's the price I paid. The only thing in terms of import fees was some minor "processing fee" of $45, for DHL to fill in my SSN in some import documents, since the value was above the $800 dollar limit.

As for warranty, my understanding is that as long as you purchased the camera from a Leica authorized dealer, and have the receipt to prove it, Leica US will honor the warranty.

[Tseg]

My Q3 43 was a demo unit I purchased from Leica UK, sent to the US.  No customs fee… $49 paid to DHL for them to tell me no customs fee.  They did advise it is under warranty.

Edited November 25, 2024 by Tseg

[Photon42]

You guys in the US are so lucky ...

[chaptastic]

I did a bit of shopping at the Leica Store in Milan last week (great experience, BTW). When we went through customs coming in I declared the camera along with the rest of the things we picked up on the trip on an itemized list. We had no trouble or additional duties to pay.

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[Herlah]

You would save the 19% VAT if you buy it in Germany and also avoid whatever sales tax you have to pay in the US. I am not sure about the warranty and wether you would need to send the camera to Germany

[Tseg]

Before I renewed my camera hobby in 2024 I had made a number of international purchases for my other hobbies in 2023.   This past week I received a letter from the State of Michigan, where I live, that I have 3 weeks to pay my 6% state sales tax on those international purchases from 2023 or there will be penalties and interest charged.   There goes over $600 to the local tax man.   Now I'm assuming my international camera purchases this year will have me receiving a similar letter from Michigan at the end of next year.  US Customs reported the declared values to The State.  In prior years, The State never tracked me down for Sales Tax on international purchases.   Have to love globalized technology. Resistance is Futile.