Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Medium Format / Film / Digital Backs – and Large Sensor Photography => Topic started by: drewharty on May 20, 2019, 12:13:55 pm

Title: Import Duty on Medium Format Digital Camera
Post by: drewharty on May 20, 2019, 12:13:55 pm

Hello,

I've been trying to track down what the approximate import duty would be on a used digital back purchased in Europe and shipped the U.S.

In my online searches, I've seen rates from 0%, 3.9%, to 8%. I can find nothing in the U.S. HTS codes that describe a digital back.

Has anyone done this and know the HTS code or approximate import duty tax rate?

Thanks, Drew Harty

Title: Re: Import Duty on Medium Format Digital Camera
Post by: narikin on May 20, 2019, 12:56:52 pm

Flights are so cheap these days, maybe wait for a sale and go collect it?
Last week I saw $313 to Paris, non stop on Air France or Delta. Norwegian is always super affordable too.

Don't forget if you are buying from a store/dealer charging sales tax, ($$ in Europe, ~20%)  you are exempt from that and either get a sizable discount (if shipped out) or get it refunded at Customs on departure (allow extra time). That is assuming quoted price is including the VAT/Sales Tax.

Title: Re: Import Duty on Medium Format Digital Camera
Post by: drewharty on May 20, 2019, 03:07:04 pm

At $313, that's not a lot more than UPS will charge to ship a digital back from Europe to the U.S.!

However, I still would need to claim the DB in the U.S. and pay custom duty tax, and that's what I am trying to get an estimate for. From what I've read, it could anywhere from $0.0 to $1700.

Thanks, Drew

Title: Re: Import Duty on Medium Format Digital Camera
Post by: BobShaw on May 21, 2019, 06:25:37 pm

I am sure that used photographic equipment would cover it.
Having said that, getting advice on finance on a forum is asking for trouble.

Title: Re: Import Duty on Medium Format Digital Camera
Post by: Kumar on May 31, 2019, 09:58:43 am

I've sold a number of used high value film cameras and lenses (no digital backs) to photographers in the US. No one has ever had to pay any duty on them. I use only JapanPost EMS for shipping.

Kumar

Title: Re: Import Duty on Medium Format Digital Camera
Post by: Mexecutioner on June 04, 2019, 04:45:49 pm

Drew,

In 2014 I purchased a motion control unit from Poland for $4,890 and I got dinged $440 for it. CA tax rate.

It will depend on your state, city and county sales tax rate.  Attached is a section scan of the letter I got in the mail stating I owed this amount here in California.

Title: Re: Import Duty on Medium Format Digital Camera
Post by: Mexecutioner on June 04, 2019, 04:47:37 pm

Forgot to mention this was shipped from Warsaw using FedEx, I am unsure if other carriers operate the same way.

I'm hope this helps your research.