Anybody bought kit from Hong Kong ebay shops?

[mybrainhurts]

Anybody bought kit from Hong Kong Ebay shops?

If so, did you get stung for UK duty and VAT, and what is the duty rate?

[Gemm]

You may be lucky and you may not. It's the risk you have to take. But some items are advertised as VAT free (they'll usually refund you the VAT after you send them the receipt). The rate is 17.5%, I believe.

[mybrainhurts]

Thanks, it's the duty rate I was wondering about, not the VAT.

[Gemm]

I think it's only the VAT that's applicable.

[VxDuncan]

3 or 4 lenses yes - they usually declare it as "for repair" or as having a value of $25 or so. Never had to pay yet, though do tend to buy from places that guarantee to refund any charges. Worth noting that the customs and VAT charges will not be on the cost of the lens, but what HM Customs and Exercise think the lens is worth (maybe a fair bit more), many couriers will charge an admin fee for any tax payment and that the purchaser is considered the importer and therefore the one trying to evade the tax.

Still worth it, but I only but I wouldn't buy a new body from HK incase it needs to be returned.

[mybrainhurts]

Gemm said:

I think it's only the VAT that's applicable.

No, it's duty added to the product cost, then VAT is applied to both.

Anybody know what the DUTY rate is...?

[mybrainhurts]

VxDuncan said:

3 or 4 lenses yes - they usually declare it as "for repair" or as having a value of $25 or so. Never had to pay yet, though do tend to buy from places that guarantee to refund any charges. Worth noting that the customs and VAT charges will not be on the cost of the lens, but what HM Customs and Exercise think the lens is worth (maybe a fair bit more), many couriers will charge an admin fee for any tax payment and that the purchaser is considered the importer and therefore the one trying to evade the tax.

Still worth it, but I only but I wouldn't buy a new body from HK incase it needs to be returned.

Thanks. I was looking at a lens.

[mybrainhurts]

Gemm said:

mybrainhurts said:

Gemm said:

I think it's only the VAT that's applicable.

No, it's duty added to the product cost, then VAT is applied to both.

Anybody know what the DUTY rate is...?

Ok, sorry for passing on the information.

Please don't misunderstand me. I appreciate your offer of advice.

[leightonjames]

Yes i have purchased from hong kong, twice in fact Both times i have had excellent service. Bought a battery grip for my 40D from link delight for £50. Time lapse, with LCD screen etc. Really good! In fact more features than the proper canon one. Also it arrived in 6 days! Would recommend any abroad sellers including hong kong

[Gemm]

No problem.

It seems like I was half-misinformed. Digital still cameras are definitely exempt from import duty. But camera lenses are charged at 6.7%. VAT are to be paid on both.

[mybrainhurts]

Gemm said:

Digital still cameras are definitely exempt from import duty.

You sure about that...?

Edit...by George, you're right. I'm a bit rusty on duty/VAT, but things have gone double-cocked barmy of late...

The duties vary in sometimes baffling ways. For instance, all cameras attract VAT; but digital cameras are duty free, while a camcorder attracts duty at up to 14% and a film camera attracts duty at 4.9%. A laptop is duty free; but a PDA attracts 3.7% duty. And duty on a plasma or LCD screen is 14% if you can use it to watch TV, but duty free if it only takes a computer signal.

Edited by mybrainhurts on Tuesday 5th August 22:34

[MonkeyHanger]

Camera bodies are indeed Zero rated for Import Duty but VAT still applies.

I got my old 20D from DigitalRev and had to stump up £60 or so at the door. Luckily it was a "Zero VAT" sale and DigitalRev refunded it after i e-mailed the receipt to them