Buying in the US

cluelessx2 · 10-08-2009 11:34am #1

Hi, I'm just wondering is there any reason not to buy in the US? Battery charger compatibilty or what have you? What to look out for? The difference in price is significant, so would much rather go that route....Thanks.

elven · 10-08-2009 11:36am

import tax

Prenderb · 10-08-2009 11:42am

as far as I can make out, import duty is 0% on digital cameras (from another thread on here...I think) but you would be liable for VAT at 21.5%, and possibly the courier company's handling charge to get that through customs. Add a quarter of the price on to the asking price and you probably won't be too far off.

And yeah, the battery charger might be for the 110V used in the US, and you may need buy a transformer or new charger.

Saruman · 10-08-2009 11:44am

You say "buy in" indicating you will be there and buy the item. Do you mean "buy from" so ordering online and having it shipped? If the latter then the Elf is correct and you will probably get stung for import tax. It still might be cheaper but probably not as much as you hope and possibly makes it not worth your while as if something goes wrong you end up in a world of pain.

If you are there though, you are fine. <SNIP>

Slidinginfinity · 10-08-2009 11:54am

Prenderb wrote: »

as far as I can make out, import duty is 0% on digital cameras (from another thread on here...I think) but you would be liable for VAT at 21.5%, and possibly the courier company's handling charge to get that through customs. Add a quarter of the price on to the asking price and you probably won't be too far off.

And yeah, the battery charger might be for the 110V used in the US, and you may need buy a transformer or new charger.

I am from the states and all of my camera chargers have the 110/220 as should most major manufacturers. The only thing is you either have to also buy a plug adapter or order a UK/Ireland Plug Cord.
If you are in the states your warranties will be in the states.

CabanSail · 10-08-2009 12:04pm

Please remember the Charter (one of those Stickies up there that nobody reads)

There is a section titled "Tax & Customs" and should be kept in mind in threads such as these.

Any further trangressions will be rewarded with a holiday away from here for a while.

Thanks

cluelessx2 · 10-08-2009 12:17pm

It will be bought and delivered in the states, and obviously all necessary taxes will be paid in Shannon......

It's primarily from a working perspective I was wondering. So I can go ahead and get it so, it should work, just need an adapter. The warranties thing is a pain, but for €500 that I'm saving, if I need to send it over to get a problem fixed, it still works out cheaper!

vervevalley · 10-08-2009 12:18pm

elven wrote: »

import tax

Hi,
I just want to get a dslr camera from USA..! A friend of mine resides there in States..! she is planning to send me from NJ..! Even then should i pay tax or custom duty..! Or 21 % tax..
Pls reply..

CabanSail · 10-08-2009 12:26pm

vervevalley wrote: »

Hi,
I just want to get a dslr camera from USA..! A friend of mine resides there in States..! she is planning to send me from NJ..! Even then should i pay tax or custom duty..! Or 21 % tax..
Pls reply..

Short answer is YES

Long answer is that it depends if it is detected when it being delivered. Some things arrive with no issues, others require the VAT to be paid.

vervevalley · 10-08-2009 12:35pm

CabanSail wrote: »

Short answer is YES

Long answer is that it depends if it is detected when it being delivered. Some things arrive with no issues, others require the VAT to be paid.

Oh!Thanks for your instant reply..! I was told if sent from usa..It might even go missed..!I'm confused about where to head on to get a dslr camera..!

Slidinginfinity · 10-08-2009 12:44pm

Since your friend is in NJ you could look at B&H Photo. It a good shop in NY.

vervevalley · 10-08-2009 12:49pm

Slidinginfinity wrote: »

Since your friend is in NJ you could look at B&H Photo. It a good shop in NY.

Yes she has planned to look for the same shop....! She's all ready to go and buy..! she is bit afraid to whether will it reach safe here to Ireland..!I'm just thinking about all the customs fees and stuff..!

did'nt know how to proceed further!:(

-K2- · 10-08-2009 5:12pm

Don't forget to factor in State sales tax in the US into your price calculation. This can not be reclaimed if the camera is taken out of the country.

In NYC it's 8.375% for cameras:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dof/html/business/business_tax_nys_sales.shtml

In Delaware it's 0%. If your friend can buy from a shop in Delaware then you will save on that...

PCPhoto · 10-08-2009 5:16pm

vervevalley wrote: »

Yes she has planned to look for the same shop....! She's all ready to go and buy..! she is bit afraid to whether will it reach safe here to Ireland..!I'm just thinking about all the customs fees and stuff..! did'nt know how to proceed further!:(

why does she not send it registered/insured postage - its guaranteed to get to you and if it is damaged on the way - you will get a new one.

Teferi · 10-08-2009 5:20pm

Slight aside: Is there really that much of a difference between here and there? When I was in the States there about 3 weeks ago I was looking at buying a new camera and for DSLR's there didn't seem to be much of a difference once you converted back to euro.

-K2- · 10-08-2009 5:22pm

Teferi wrote: »

Slight aside: Is there really that much of a difference between here and there? When I was in the States there about 3 weeks ago I was looking at buying a new camera and for DSLR's there didn't seem to be much of a difference once you converted back to euro.

I bought a Canon EOS 5D Mk 2 recently in NYC. Saved a very large amount compared to buying in Ireland.

Rael · 11-08-2009 1:05pm

ElectronEng wrote: »

I bought a Canon EOS 5D Mk 2 recently in NYC. Saved a very large amount compared to buying in Ireland.

There's over €400 saving on buying a Canon 5D Mark 2 body in B&H than the cheapest price here. As for lenses, the amount saved on buying from B&H compared to the cheapest retailer here is absolutely unreal!

Pinarello · 11-08-2009 5:41pm

Rael wrote: »

There's over €400 saving on buying a Canon 5D Mark 2 body in B&H than the cheapest price here. As for lenses, the amount saved on buying from B&H compared to the cheapest retailer here is absolutely unreal!

Before dropping cash in B&H, give kerso a shout kerso1123@msn.com .He was cheaper than B&H for the gear i got there last October.I could'nt believe it...;)

Rael · 11-08-2009 6:46pm

Pinarello wrote: »

Before dropping cash in B&H, give kerso a shout kerso1123@msn.com .He was cheaper than B&H for the gear i got there last October.I could'nt believe it...;)

Sent him an email a week ago about the 5D Mark 2 & he still hasn't responded . . . :mad:

the_syco · 11-08-2009 11:58pm

Slidinginfinity wrote: »

Since your friend is in NJ you could look at B&H Photo. It a good shop in NY.

I third B&H. They know their sh|t, and are very helpful. They also have a range of cameras on 3 different desks, from all different makes and the newest models, so that you can try before you buy.

Buying in the US

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