Will USA HPX500 work in UK

S

sarah staar

Active member
I have seen the Panasonic AG-HPX500 package at B & H video Panasonic AG-HPX500 2/3" Shoulder Mounted P2 Camcorder Kit, 1080p/1080i/720p, NTSC/PAL, included 4 16GB P2 Cards, Fujinon 17x 2/3" Lens with 2x Extender, and Tripod Quick-Release Adapter

All for $21,000 this is a much better price than the UK. Will this model work ok in the UK. B&H says it has full warranty and it is PAL / NTSC...
 
Unfortunately that won't work in the UK.

You will need one of these:
http://www.world-import.com/WSS405.htm

:)

By the way, the warranty wouldn't be an international one, I'd suspect, and if you'd want to claim a warranty repair, you'd probably need to have that done in the US.

Also, does anyone know why B&H lists a Cleaning Tape on the HPX-500's accessories' page? :)
 
Sarah I would be suprised if the camera didnt operate at 100-240V so all you would need is a cheap adapter plug.

One thing though is if you order internationally you will still be hit with an import duty once you recieve it in the mail. Might I suggest a holiday to either the US or Japan buy your camera and take it home carry on. Probably still work out a lot cheaper.
 
How about the customs at the airport? That would be the same. Or is it no problem to avoid customs duty? I dont think so. I would save a lot of money when I go back to Germany, but I dont want to get a previous conviction. So I will pay a lot of money for duty.
 
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I do shoots all over the world and have never got stooped at customs with my camera. I always take the camera as hand luggage. I think a weekend in New York is on the cards.
 
Have you ever gone through german customs? I think they are quite strict... and thats what is keeping me aware. If I get caught and cant show them a german bill, I will be really ****ed...

What camera are you talking about? A normal camcorder, or something bigger, like the hvx200?

I already heared about people getting stopped bringing their camera. They actually bought it in germany, but didnt have a copy of their bill at hand. So they had to pay mortage and get it back later when they showed the bill.
 
Simon really, they will ask to see a reciept? Im taking a few cams back to Aus next year and I will just say its my job go away they arent bought.
 
I wish I could do that so easily :D This topic is cooking my brain for months already...and still have to think about it. I will talk to you about that again when I drop by.
 
I fly all over the world with my camera. Never stopped by customs (knock on wood). If stopped, I don't think I need to show them anything.

Want a tip? Shoot something on an HVX, take the P2 card and show some Germany footage on the camera you just shot. And Of course shoot some stuff in US for testing. Then play back and say you went for a doc. They can't get you. Its a convincing excuse, if you ask me...

Another trick is to ask your US reseller to give you a "dummy" bill where the camera price is a lot cheaper than its actual price. That way you're charged a lot less on taxes. Dirty tricks, for sure, but European taxes are just insane, and I don't understand why a product in Europe should cost 20 to 30 percent more than in the US- they have better salaries in the US, than why should europeans pay more?

I live in Asia, but am european. So I'm all for Europeans importing.
 
Shooting some footage from germany could be complicated while beeing in japan :) Got some old crap DV footage I could probably load on the card. But they could say it is loaded onto it... But a good tip. I will think about that.

I was thinking about your other trick before. I could just ask my reseller to write a different price and save a few euros. That would be the safest way. Hmm, I will see.

And sorry for highjacking this thread, but I think there is also some useful information for you in these posts.
 
HI - from germany , too.

I imported my last PANASONIC DVC200 by GLOBALMEDIAPRO - yes, UPS will charge ZOLL (duane) and VAT - but I put these invoices into my books as well - so VAT will be balanced anyway, ZOLL adds to cost of purchase.

So if you do it on business purposes, I wouldnt smuggle it thru duane.

If you do so, use a really used Portabrace (or xy) bag, make the cam look dirty and equip it with some gear (labels, headlight etc.) so it looks like your workinghorse...

ULI
 
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