Panamoz and import costs
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Discussion

Sophisticated Sarah

Original Poster:

15,078 posts

192 months

Sunday 16th February 2020
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I’ve done a bit of reading and they have a good reputation, however I’m wondering if anyone on here has experience of buying through them with regards to import costs? The website says duties and taxes are included/paid, but just wanted to check with a real-world buyer!

Thanks

steveatesh

5,312 posts

187 months

Monday 17th February 2020
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My friend has just ordered and received a Sony A7iii camera and a couple GM lens, the price advertised was what she paid, nothing extra, no hidden costs.

Service was very good too and they even sent her £40 back which she wasn’t expecting because the delivery was a couple days later than stated (due to the storm last week, apparently)

Hope that helps.

Sophisticated Sarah

Original Poster:

15,078 posts

192 months

Monday 17th February 2020
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That’s great thanks 👍


toohuge

3,469 posts

239 months

Monday 17th February 2020
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Yep no issues at all.

I’ve just had a camera repaired at nikon that was under panamoz warranty. Panamoz requested my receipt of repair and PayPal’d the money across immediately.

eltawater

3,402 posts

202 months

Monday 17th February 2020
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Yup, bought my D500 through them. All delivered efficiently and the price you pay is the price you pay.

Sophisticated Sarah

Original Poster:

15,078 posts

192 months

Monday 17th February 2020
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Cheers biggrin

Escapegoat

5,135 posts

158 months

Monday 17th February 2020
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I've a sneaking suspicion that there's something odd going on. Same with Efinity and the 'Swiss' Chinese guy who sells Sony stuff on Ebay. Not quite sure if it's just some VAT cleverness or an actual carousel/dodge that works for now.

silobass

1,219 posts

125 months

Tuesday 18th February 2020
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Escapegoat said:
I've a sneaking suspicion that there's something odd going on. Same with Efinity and the 'Swiss' Chinese guy who sells Sony stuff on Ebay. Not quite sure if it's just some VAT cleverness or an actual carousel/dodge that works for now.
They're called grey imports. They don't pay the same duties/taxes as the UK versions of the same product. They're also exluded from UK warrantees but that said, they tend to offer their own. Nothing usually wrong with the products, it's the same thing but bought from Asia (usually) where things are cheaper.

An alternative is HDEW. They're based in the UK and great to deal with. Still grey imports but if you're unsure about import fees etc then might be worth a look.

Escapegoat

5,135 posts

158 months

Tuesday 18th February 2020
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silobass said:
They're called grey imports. They don't pay the same duties/taxes as the UK versions of the same product. They're also exluded from UK warrantees but that said, they tend to offer their own. Nothing usually wrong with the products, it's the same thing but bought from Asia (usually) where things are cheaper.

An alternative is HDEW. They're based in the UK and great to deal with. Still grey imports but if you're unsure about import fees etc then might be worth a look.
I know they are grey, but someone has to pay the duties/taxes (obvs, otherwise they are smuggling).

Grey imports used to be a way to get around punitive local mark-ups - i.e. you still paid the same tax/duties (so HMG got its take), but the product was more competitively priced.

(Will take a look at HDEW - new one on me.)

Matt London

808 posts

191 months

Sunday 8th March 2020
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I got a Canon 70-200mm 2.8l from them. I got a tax bill months later and Panamoz paid me the money without quibble. All I had to do was show them the invoice.

Elderly

3,654 posts

261 months

Sunday 8th March 2020
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When you buy from Panamoz do they give you a UK VAT receipt?

Escapegoat

5,135 posts

158 months

Sunday 8th March 2020
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Elderly said:
When you buy from Panamoz do they give you a UK VAT receipt?
They are not VAT registered, so they cannot. When they ship, they tell the shipping company to clear the package and bill the import costs to them (not the customer). Maybe they under-declare, or do some shifty carousel thing? Or maybe they just eat the 20+% import cost!

It's all on this page: https://panamoz.com/faq

Turn7

25,310 posts

244 months

Sunday 8th March 2020
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Bought my D500 from Panamoz, way cheaper and no import costs plus longer warranty than official stuff.

Read Talk Photoggraphy and there is hundreds of happy customers....

Elderly

3,654 posts

261 months

Sunday 8th March 2020
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Escapegoat said:
They are not VAT registered, so they cannot. When they ship, they tell the shipping company to clear the package and bill the import costs to them (not the customer). Maybe they under-declare, or do some shifty carousel thing? Or maybe they just eat the 20+% import cost!
So to a VAT registered person, there would be very little advantage.

silobass

1,219 posts

125 months

Sunday 8th March 2020
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HDEW will give you a VAT invoice, it's why I bought my camera from them and not Panamoz.

JulianHJ

8,858 posts

285 months

Monday 9th March 2020
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My wife and I have bought from Panamoz lots of times without issue.