New 40D

[Stephen]

[Ian]

Re: New 40D

Why shouldn't you be charged VAT? Did you declare your VAT status with the exporter? That could be why, perhaps? I'm pretty sure I have been charged both VAT and duty on items for review that have been shipped from abroad - these are items that I didn't even pay for in the first place.

I'm VAT registered too, so it doesn't bother me that much, but for others it could be a rude surprise.

Ian

[Stephen]

Re: New 40D

Why shouldn't you be charged VAT? Did you declare your VAT status with the exporter? That could be why, perhaps? I'm pretty sure I have been charged both VAT and duty on items for review that have been shipped from abroad - these are items that I didn't even pay for in the first place.

I'm VAT registered too, so it doesn't bother me that much, but for others it could be a rude surprise.

Ian

I'm not 100% sure of the laws regarding these things. However as I see it if you buy something from a foreign country you pay their taxes. Its why the booze cruise brigade do so well out of going to the Calais hypermarkets. You don't get charged VAT on alchohol when you come back because you have paid the local tax already So, if this is the case on a lens/camera from HK the only possibility that remains is import duty, which is different to VAT. The UPS man that knocked on my door only wanted the Duty not VAT.

I do however agree that sometimes it can be cheaper in this country if you are VAT registered and is one reason I don't buy much from 7DS and other Channel Isle VAT free zones.

[Ian]

Re: New 40D

I'm not 100% sure of the laws regarding these things. However as I see it if you buy something from a foreign country you pay their taxes. Its why the booze cruise brigade do so well out of going to the Calais hypermarkets. You don't get charged VAT on alchohol when you come back because you have paid the local tax already So, if this is the case on a lens/camera from HK the only possibility that remains is import duty, which is different to VAT. The UPS man that knocked on my door only wanted the Duty not VAT.

I do however agree that sometimes it can be cheaper in this country if you are VAT registered and is one reason I don't buy much from 7DS and other Channel Isle VAT free zones.

If you pay the local VAT in a country within the EU, there is no further VAT to be paid in importation of the goods to the UK. I don't think customs duty is applicable in intra EU trade either.

But importing from outside the EU is different, see:

http://forums.ebay.co.uk/thread.jspa?threadID=1100092022

Both import duty and VAT are liable. You may even be charged a handling fee by the post office or shipping company, which is not reclaimable.

I wouldn't be surprised if - assuming you declare the purchase against income or corporate tax - one's accountant could expect paperwork to account for these tax charges.

Ian

Ian

[StuartR]

Re: New 40D

Surly Canon provide software for RAW conversion with the camera, it will be slow but do the job until DxO come up with the upgrade. Incidentally Bibble already have the necessary for the 40D.

Patrick

You're right, they do and that's what I'm now using for the interim. It seems pretty basic compared to DxO and it obviously doesn't do the auto distortion / geometry correction that DxO does (and my 17-85mm needs!). Hopefully DxO will have it sorted soon.

[himmelblau]

Re: New 40D

Still think THIS is a pretty tempting offer

Kea Photo on eBay is owned by two Canadians living in HK; I have bought quite a few items from them and have never had a problem with customs.

Nikon UK will honour the warranty on lenses as they come with international warranties but not a camera body as it is classed as electrical and comes with an HK warranty and therefore has to be sent back to HK for any repairs that have to be carried out during the warranty period.

Items shipped via Fedex usually arrive within three days.

Brian