bringing back camera to UK from US

C

chud

Member
Hey guys - quick question to anyone in the know about these things:

I'm looking at flying to NY to buy one of these from a shop there and take it back home with me, as it'll save me about £1000! Assuming i take it out of all the packaging and put it in a carry case etc. is there any chance I'll get any hassle at customs???
 
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the idea is that i avoid paying any import tax - that's the point of buying in US. If I'm just bring back a camera in a bag as my hand luggage then I shouldn't have any problems right?
 
Make sure the camera is rolling when you pass thru customs your end...and then we will all know.

BTW- there is a difference between avoiding and evading.
 
B&H doesn't sell a ton of PAL stuff for no reason. That place is full of foreign tourists all day long and their not all buying point and shoots if ya know what I mean. On the same note I would ditch the Panny box and anything else that scream's "Just bought in the USA!". Happy shopping..
 
When we do that in Aus. the best idea is to have in your possession an "invoice" from a UK shop for the article concerned so you can show a receipt if you need to.

Helps to have a good friend in retail somewhere so they can take the verification call!

Cheers,

Vaughan
 
I'm not in any way passing judgement but you are trying to do something illegal. The worst case scenario is that they will impound your camera and you'll never see it again. It happened to a friend of mine (not with a camera but with some audio gear). There is also the not insignificant issue of warranty. Will you be able to get your camera repaired under warranty in the UK? Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
 
'illegal' is such a strong term - yes this isn't entirely above board, but i like to think of it more as something like scrumping; frowned upon, but boys will be boys! that kinda thing... I've paid tens of thousands of pounds in tax on earnings over the years and have never signed on, it's time to get something back i feel!

Warranty will be a bit of an issue, but i have insurance etc...

Besides, with the amount of decoy crack and guns i'll be planting in the luggage of other passengers, the customs guys should have their hands full ;)
 
Like I said, I'm not trying to tell you what's right or wrong. I just wanted to flag up the fact that there is a small chance you will have your camera impounded. Customs and excise tend not to wave you through with a "boys will be boys" smile on their faces! Anyway, enjoy your camera!
 
I don't think what he is suggesting is any worse than us ordering from amazon.com to avoid state sales tax. Technically we're then supposed to voluntarily pay sales tax on things we order that way...so that would make most of us "illegal!" to save ~$1600 it sounds reasonable to me. Jeesh makes me wonder how anyone affords to live across the pond!
 
Fotojorno said:
B&H doesn't sell a ton of PAL stuff for no reason.
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These days PAL vs NTSC is less of an issue, in the last year or two most newly released cameras have been switchable for both US and European distribution (ie: AF100, AG-HMC150, AG-HPX370).

For non switchable cameras, PAL is strictly European distribution so US dealers do not have access to them. However, there are legitimate reasons for someone in the US to buy a PAL camera, not just to evade taxes (ie: freelance contract with an overseas broadcast). It's one of the few instances where gray market is not a bad thing. They let you know upfront that this is a PAL camera, it has the dealers 90 day warranty, etc. The PAL cameras don't compete with NTSC, so it doesn't undermine the value or hurt other US dealers. It's much, much more affordable than an individual importing a camera from overseas.

chud said:
Assuming i take it out of all the packaging and put it in a carry case etc. is there any chance I'll get any hassle at customs???
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Yes, as Stephen pointed out. Moral implications aside, you have to decide if the risk is worth the reward. Best case scenario, you get your camera at a considerable savings. Worst case scenario you get caught and have your camera taken.

wbrock001 said:
Technically we're then supposed to voluntarily pay sales tax on things we order that way...so that would make most of us "illegal!"
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True! And as long as you understand that, then you're aware of the risk that if you do get audited at some point, they will get that money from you one way or another. :engel017:

Jeesh makes me wonder how anyone affords to live across the pond!
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Haha, you know, I was wondering the same thing about Canada. Then I realized my health insurance (not counting medical expenses) eats up about 25% net income... Figure it all evens out in the end (actually, think I'd rather pay the sales tax-- less of a hassle than these insurance companies, but that is neither here nor there).

Best,

Jasmine Moore
Administrative Assistant
Specialized Communications / Noventri
20940 Twin Springs Dr.
Smithsburg, MD 21783-1510 USA
800-359-1858 (US)
301-790-0103
Fax: 301-790-0173
jasminem@spec-comm.com
www.spec-comm.com
www.noventri.com
 
Vaughan Wood said:
When we do that in Aus. the best idea is to have in your possession an "invoice" from a UK shop for the article concerned so you can show a receipt if you need to.
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I cant imagine any UK Panasonic dealer giving out a such an "invoice". Whats in it for them. At best they have lost a sale, at worst they have colluded in fraud.
 
Of course there is a chance you will get caught for it but where you are most exposed is with regard to the warranty. I presume that the reason the cameras are given different numbers 100/101, the warranty will be US only. If you return the camera to the US for service, you will be caught on importing it. There is no way to avoid this unless you can prove you paid Duty and VAT on import. They will look for specific documentation and if you don't have it you pay.

The import tax is about 3% - so not significant. The VAT @ around 17% in the UK is the most significant cost.

If you know someone with a production company, they may put it through their books for you. Then have them import it legitimately. There is hassle but it is the best way to go.

If you are going to go through customs make sure to cover it in dirty gaffer and camera tape.
 
having checked costs between the uk and the us i worked out i could have saved £800 buying legally from america...thats after paying import tax and duties (note that customs rather cheekily charge tax on the cost of postage as well as the goods value).
i chose not to try and save that money as i was led to believe that the free extended warranty was only valid in the country of purchase...and it really isnt worth the hassle of having to export for a repair if needed.

remember if you are vat registered even on the flat rate scheme you can claim back the vat as the purchase is over £2000. i presume this only applies if bought in britain but im not sure.

of course youll save more trying to sneak it through illegally but bear in mind there are few british agencies with more power than customs and excise. rumbled and they simply confiscate your goods - at best.
i cant remember at what cost goods require a carnet to move them between countries but whenever we've filmed in the us we've used a carnet to take camera equipment in and out (effectively a bond posted to guarantee that goods came from and end up back in the same country) so there is a further consideration. its probably 'domestic' enough a camera tho.

mccannondsl has a fair point about the camera and gaffer tape. haha.

oh and paying tax already in your life doesnt mean you shouldnt have to pay it again chud. did you get that advice from philip green? lol.
 
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