Is equipment cheaper in the USA than the UK

[mib2]

Hi All

Off to the States in a few weeks is camera kit cheaper over there.

cheers
Dave R

https://www.daveritchie.com

[bigbob]

Re: Is equipment cheaper in the USA than the UK

I Travel to the US a lot and although electrical goods are cheaper , due to the price structure and the exchange rate , you have to remember that on new goods you will be liable for import duty and VAT at British customs .
You could try having the items sent by post and labelled ''GIFT'' but the customs are wise to that loophole and regually open packages to check the contents .
Plus you have to remember that if it fails you might have to return it to the vendor due to the warrenty conditions.
Clothes ,perfume and food stuff is VAT exemp , and i think S/H goods are as well .
Not as easy as you think , but check at HEATHROW / GATWICK on goods which are tax exemp ,there are various booklets at both check ins .

B ..

[Patrick]

Re: Is equipment cheaper in the USA than the UK

I Travel to the US a lot and although electrical goods are cheaper , due to the price structure and the exchange rate , you have to remember that on new goods you will be liable for import duty and VAT at British customs .
You could try having the items sent by post and labelled ''GIFT'' but the customs are wise to that loophole and regually open packages to check the contents .
Plus you have to remember that if it fails you might have to return it to the vendor due to the warrenty conditions.
Clothes ,perfume and food stuff is VAT exemp , and i think S/H goods are as well .
Not as easy as you think , but check at HEATHROW / GATWICK on goods which are tax exemp ,there are various booklets at both check ins .

B ..

Lets not forget that warranties may not be supported in the UK for goods purchased in the USA.

Patricki

[ash]

Re: Is equipment cheaper in the USA than the UK

Camera kit usually carries an international warrenty, Ive in the past imported lenses from various locations in the world, Ive just taken delivery of 2 nikon lenses from hong kong, 48hours by fedex, they were specified as samples for testing, so I suppose its down to the sender. Not sure how you go on through customs etc! if you are carrying them through yourself.
I beleive the american dollar is good for cheap goods, but I dont no about the taxes once you get onto english soil!

[devilgas]

Re: Is equipment cheaper in the USA than the UK

uk import duty rate notes can be found on this page - http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsP...yType=document

with the actual duty rates here - http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsP...yType=document

[Patrick]

Re: Is equipment cheaper in the USA than the UK

I beleive the american dollar is good for cheap goods, but I dont no about the taxes once you get onto english soil!

[mib2]

Re: Is equipment cheaper in the USA than the UK

Hi Guys

Many thanks for the input - I'll price a couple of items UK then compare in USA.

cheers
Dave R

[Ian]

Re: Is equipment cheaper in the USA than the UK

Hi All

Off to the States in a few weeks is camera kit cheaper over there.

cheers
Dave R
www.daveritchie.com

[ekkl]

Re: Is equipment cheaper in the USA than the UK

Regarding paying tax in the uk, what is to stop you buying a good lens, new camera etc and just placing it in your camera bag as if you have been using it, like not in packaging and anything like that?

I have just returned from Canada and at customs on the way back the only questions I got was off the scanner guy who had to look in my bag about the quality of printing big pictures from a high pixel digital camera. He didn't know how old any bit of my kit is and he wouldn't have known either if I had bought a brand new bit of kit and just put it in the bag with the other lenses etc.