jaapv Posted April 28, 2009 Share #21 Posted April 28, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Actually, it should be - "don't ever have your camera sent through _customs_ unless absolutely necessary". HM Customs here in the UK asked me to pay full import duty on a body which I'd sent to the US for repair. And it had sat in customs for three weeks without me hearing anything until I thought it had been lost in the post and started asking. The paperwork was in the box, but they didn't seem to care citing something to the effect "people try all sorts of things not to pay duty and tax". I gave up, as you say - they have it hostage - and paid up. Didn't you have the receipt of your original purchase in the UK? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 28, 2009 Posted April 28, 2009 Hi jaapv, Take a look here Why not to take your camera to India.. . I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
gwelland Posted April 28, 2009 Share #22 Posted April 28, 2009 Actually, it should be - "don't ever have your camera sent through _customs_ unless absolutely necessary". HM Customs here in the UK asked me to pay full import duty on a body which I'd sent to the US for repair. And it had sat in customs for three weeks without me hearing anything until I thought it had been lost in the post and started asking. The paperwork was in the box, but they didn't seem to care citing something to the effect "people try all sorts of things not to pay duty and tax". I gave up, as you say - they have it hostage - and paid up. This is very common. Especially if you have goods sent via any of the couriers (Fedex/UPS etc). A friend of mine has had this happen randomly whenever repaired items have been sent. It's almost futile to fight these people because it is a hostage situation and the officious self-important attitude of an HM customs inspector or courier equivalent has got to be experienced to be believed. Of course I'm sure India is probably even worse - yet another case of where the Brits taught our colonies too well Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicoleica Posted April 29, 2009 Share #23 Posted April 29, 2009 I don't think that this practice is limited to customs officials within the empire. I live in The Netherlands now, and I sometimes am sent equipment, needed for one project or another, from the USA. Often the first that I know of this is when I receive the ransom letter from customs here. Not only do they charge duties on their idea of the value of the goods, but also on the shipping charges and any insurance too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwelland Posted April 29, 2009 Share #24 Posted April 29, 2009 Time to rally around and reach for the clubs and pitchforks ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted April 29, 2009 Share #25 Posted April 29, 2009 Actually, it should be - "don't ever have your camera sent through _customs_ unless absolutely necessary". HM Customs here in the UK asked me to pay full import duty on a body which I'd sent to the US for repair. And it had sat in customs for three weeks without me hearing anything until I thought it had been lost in the post and started asking. The paperwork was in the box, but they didn't seem to care citing something to the effect "people try all sorts of things not to pay duty and tax". I gave up, as you say - they have it hostage - and paid up. Nice to see you over here kully and welcome to the forum! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kully Posted May 6, 2009 Share #26 Posted May 6, 2009 Nice to see you over here kully and welcome to the forum! Hallo Peter. The M8 forums here are much more constructive/informative than on RFF - if I see another thread bashing the M8 by people who don't even own one over there... I will cry ;-) Didn't you have the receipt of your original purchase in the UK? The camera was an 'heirloom' - no receipt. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandokan Posted May 6, 2009 Share #27 Posted May 6, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Swiss customs has the honour to charge CHF18 (US$16) PLUS the 7.6% sales tax on goods over CHF100 - which leads to a bill of CHF26 for an item that cost US$90 (CHF102). Lesson learnt - shop for US$88 or make the most of it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carstenw Posted May 6, 2009 Share #28 Posted May 6, 2009 I guess they received training on the coast of Somalia... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Ross Posted May 6, 2009 Share #29 Posted May 6, 2009 I don't think that this practice is limited to customs officials within the empire. I live in The Netherlands now, and I sometimes am sent equipment, needed for one project or another, from the USA. Often the first that I know of this is when I receive the ransom letter from customs here. Not only do they charge duties on their idea of the value of the goods, but also on the shipping charges and any insurance too. Hi Nicole, There is a service called an ATA Carnet that is used to handle the temporary importation of mechandise without Custom duties. Their web site is at ATA Carnet | The Merchandise Passport | ATA Carnet Document | Corporation For International Business I ran into this, because I used to underwrite surety bonds for the Carnets. The most interesting case was a Rock band doing a concert tour of Europe. They had two complete stage set-ups which went through 8 countries in ten days and they didn't need any Customs hold ups, in meeting their event schedule. Carnets are often used for the loans of scientific equipment and I suspect the cinema industry's camera and stage equipment when shooting films on location. Bob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
petermcwerner Posted May 7, 2009 Share #30 Posted May 7, 2009 Hi Nicole,There is a service called an ATA Carnet that is used to handle the temporary importation of mechandise without Custom duties. Their web site is at ATA Carnet | The Merchandise Passport | ATA Carnet Document | Corporation For International Business I ran into this, because I used to underwrite surety bonds for the Carnets. The most interesting case was a Rock band doing a concert tour of Europe. They had two complete stage set-ups which went through 8 countries in ten days and they didn't need any Customs hold ups, in meeting their event schedule. Carnets are often used for the loans of scientific equipment and I suspect the cinema industry's camera and stage equipment when shooting films on location. Bob The ATA carnet may be fine in such cases as you describe, but is very expensive for an individual private traveller. Also, you have to provide security of up to 40% of the value of goods. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted May 7, 2009 Share #31 Posted May 7, 2009 It's a useful warning. Having traveled all over the pace with loads of gear I have never had any problems with Customs, but I guess I have been lucky. Perhaps the best idea is to print out copies of original receipts and file them away in the bottom of your bag or in your money belt. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted May 7, 2009 Share #32 Posted May 7, 2009 Hallo Peter. The M8 forums here are much more constructive/informative than on RFF - if I see another thread bashing the M8 by people who don't even own one over there... I will cry ;-) Get out your hanky we have them here as well, but we are not very nice to them Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted May 7, 2009 Share #33 Posted May 7, 2009 It's a useful warning. Having traveled all over the pace with loads of gear I have never had any problems with Customs, but I guess I have been lucky. Perhaps the best idea is to print out copies of original receipts and file them away in the bottom of your bag or in your money belt. A copy of the insurance policy will do as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_x2004 Posted May 7, 2009 Share #34 Posted May 7, 2009 It's a useful warning. Having traveled all over the pace with loads of gear I have never had any problems with Customs, but I guess I have been lucky. Perhaps the best idea is to print out copies of original receipts and file them away in the bottom of your bag or in your money belt. You could always just front in customs before departure and have the serial numbers registered. Only takes a few minutes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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