Importing cameras or lenses.

Ian Grant

Ian Grant

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A cautionary tale.

Last month I bought a 300mm f4.5 Xenar in a Compound #5 shutter from Belgium. The lens was a very reasonable price and near Mint despite being made in 1963. It was just under £300.

Tracking showed it at Customs on Feb 7th, then on the 10th Custom Charges Raised, 15 minutes later - Revised Customs charges Raised Later released from Customs.

On the 11th I rang Parcel Force, as the Tracking said awaiting Payment of Custom Charges, only to be informed these were £133. 82, I had no choice except pay. I had queried the amount and the manager of the Coventry depot called me and said the charges were sent to them electronically by the Border Agency so I would need to contact them.

When the Parcel arrived, the Customs label said 20% VAT £61.96, I called Border Force and was told to fill out their complaint form, I sent all the labelling, documents etc.

Last week I had a letter saying there was a mistake on the electronic Customs declaration, probably made by Belgian Post, and no VAT of Import Duty should have been charged anyway, so Border Force would refund the £61.96, but not the £12 Parcel Force handling charge. No mention of the fact I'd had to pay £133.82.

Very frustrating. So more correspondence but at least I have a reference.

Ian
 
Best of luck with it Ian. This is far from the first complaint I've heard about incorrect charges and they seem to be difficult to resolve because whilst there is an incentive to gather tax and systems in place accordingly, there is less incentive to sort it out when things aren't right. And the chance of getting back handling charges are pretty close to nil from what I've heard.
 
Due to charges of any kind, I've pretty much restricted all of my purchases to the EU. Fortunately, there are still more than enough items of interest popping up from time to time!

As we speak, I'm waiting on a Xenar 240mm f3.5, in a compound V, I believe, which is scheduled to arrive this week, from Espana!

Not too dissimilar to your 300mm beauty, Ian!

All going well, I want to use it on 4x5 in the studio.
 

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Do I detect one of the "benefits" of Brexit? I've switched to majority European suppliers and, for example, saved 20% at the time on buying from my camera from Calumet in Germany instead of Grays of Westminster.
 
The sound of a Compound #5 at 1 second is amazing. Shipping costs and then Import Duty, then VAT and a handling fee, means like you have to think hard before buying from abroad.

A 240mm f3.5 might be interesting for portraits at wider apertures, unfortunately the Compound #5 top shutter speed is only 1/50. a bit of a bargain for quite a rare lens.

Joanna Carter said:
Do I detect one of the "benefits" of Brexit? I've switched to majority European suppliers and, for example, saved 20% at the time on buying from my camera from Calumet in Germany instead of Grays of Westminster.
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Many of us did not support Brexit. Unfortunately we have to suffer the consequences.

Ian
 
Ian Grant said:
A 240mm f3.5 might be interesting for portraits at wider apertures, unfortunately the Compound #5 top shutter speed is only 1/50. a bit of a bargain for quite a rare lens.
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I thought so too!
 
Ian Grant said:
A cautionary tale.

Last month I bought a 300mm f4.5 Xenar in a Compound #5 shutter from Belgium. The lens was a very reasonable price and near Mint despite being made in 1963. It was just under £300.

Tracking showed it at Customs on Feb 7th, then on the 10th Custom Charges Raised, 15 minutes later - Revised Customs charges Raised Later released from Customs.

On the 11th I rang Parcel Force, as the Tracking said awaiting Payment of Custom Charges, only to be informed these were £133. 82, I had no choice except pay. I had queried the amount and the manager of the Coventry depot called me and said the charges were sent to them electronically by the Border Agency so I would need to contact them.

When the Parcel arrived, the Customs label said 20% VAT £61.96, I called Border Force and was told to fill out their complaint form, I sent all the labelling, documents etc.

Last week I had a letter saying there was a mistake on the electronic Customs declaration, probably made by Belgian Post, and no VAT of Import Duty should have been charged anyway, so Border Force would refund the £61.96, but not the £12 Parcel Force handling charge. No mention of the fact I'd had to pay £133.82.

Very frustrating. So more correspondence but at least I have a reference.

Ian
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Wow

Thanks you for sharing this Ian. Even though I opened a thread in the wanted section I’m am also considering purchasing the lenses from Japan.

I’m surprised the first amount you had to pay. That is outrageous!!

Have you since gotten a full refund?
 
Soulstar89 said:
Wow

Thanks you for sharing this Ian. Even though I opened a thread in the wanted section I’m am also considering purchasing the lenses from Japan.
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I have bought three Schneiders lens from Japan. I was only charged extra for one lens and that arrived via Fedex..
The other two came via DHL. Each lens were below £230 incl vat and postage.

I( prefer DHL as a carrier anyway..as most of their freight arrives at their Leipzig air freight depot and then on to East Midlands with Birmingham distribution office having the package out within hours of UK arrival.
Three days from Japan is good going for around £20 postage.);)
 
AERO said:
I have bought three Schneiders lens from Japan. I was only charged extra for one lens and that arrived via Fedex..
The other two came via DHL. Each lens were below £230 incl vat and postage.

I( prefer DHL as a carrier anyway..as most of their freight arrives at their Leipzig air freight depot and then on to East Midlands with Birmingham distribution office having the package out within hours of UK arrival.
Three days from Japan is good going for around £20 postage.);)
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Wow. Who did you buy from? That turn over is impressive. I reached out to b.s kumar as many have given him a stellar recommendation.
 
yokohamacamera
orihikacamerajapan
camera-aurora.days.japan

Like all dealers you take your chance but these had decent reviews and they each
stated the lens were near mint. I was happy with each.
 
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I've been buying cameras and lenses from abroad for over 20 years. There was a time when only large items would be subjected to Import Duty & VAT. However, in the last few years most items have had Customs charges added, I can't think of any item (except items below £130) that hasn't since about 2020. Just prior to that it was becoming hit & miss and often varied on the point of entry into the UK.

Now I just assume there will be approx 33% Customs charges on the item(s) and postage, then the carrier's collection fee. LF lenses are way cheaper in Japan compared to the UK/EU with the US midway in between,

Ian
 
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Today I had an email from the Border Agency, they have repaid their charges in full, unfortunately they can't refund the £12 Parcel Force fee as that not levied by them.

IAn
 
Ian Grant said:
Today I had an email from the Border Agency, they have repaid their charges in full, unfortunately they can't refund the £12 Parcel Force fee as that not levied by them.

IAn
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I'm happy you got the full charges refunded. It's a shame the parcel force fee wasn't refunded. It's now a case of if you think it's worth it trying to get the £12 refunded by parcel force.
 
Good luck trying to get your money back with ParcelFarce....
 
AERO said:
Good luck trying to get your money back with ParcelFarce....
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The lens was such a good price, £12 is neither here or there, it's not worth the time or effort. I'm rather more concerned about the effects of the obese, orange faced, golfer on my pension.

Ian
 
The £12 Parcelforce handling fee is a joke imo. I've had that added onto a customs fee of £17 in the past.
 
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