I live in the US and may make a short trip to Japan. I noticed that amazon.jp has the 645Z listed for the equivalent of about $6500 USD and I see the 645Z listed on ebay for $7500 by a Japanese store. Is there any reason I shouldn't purchase a body while in Japan and save $2000 or order from Japan and still save over the US price?
Tom
We register all of our equipment with U.S. customs and carry invoices with serial numbers. For larger projects we produce a carnet (you don't or won't need to do this for one camera), though having the receipt at the ready is very good idea.
But in reality, it depends on what airport/city you fly into.
Head a tough time at JFK, even with a carnet, as a agent in training filled in the wrong information and spent an hour with an officer who demanded we pay duty. This went on an on.
LA, usually is easy, though one agent I see all the time and do anything to avoid him as any case that looks like equipment he puts you in the line with all the people importing goods from their native countries.
That is a two hour process and the agent we finally received knew we shouldn't be in that line, she still gave us the complete explanation on how to bring in gear, why duties exist, how . . . . .
So my thought is buy what you want, make a copy of that rule that is linked, be prepared to show you will pay local/state sales tax and hope it sails through, or at the worst hope you get an informed agent.
For repairs, as everyone mentioned, the Japanese retailers and manufacturers are usually very, very good at service. It may be slow at times, but usually spot on.
IMO
BC
