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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: east sussex
Posts: 3,484
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Importing goods from abroad
If importing goods from abroad ( ie Hong Kong) what thoughts do members have about duty payable? and should one buy from abroad anyway depriving UK shops of business. Does it cause concern if imported goods (photographic as this is a photographic site) are received without any paying duty because the customs people let it through.
Bazza
Bazza
 Senior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Cork, Ireland
Posts: 7,578
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Don't know about duty - but I have *no* problem with "taking business from UK shops" - frequently they charge way too much anyway. As it happens, I buy most of my stuff in the UK, because when you see the cost of stuff in Ireland, you'd not believe the good deals you get in the UK! 
I'm more than happy to take business away from Irish shops - because they charge too much. I was quoted €400 for the Nikkor 50mm f1.4 - for the record, that's £375... 
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I'm more than happy to take business away from Irish shops - because they charge too much. I was quoted €400 for the Nikkor 50mm f1.4 - for the record, that's £375... xx
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Kit 1 Nikon D800 Nikkor 50mm f1.4 Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8 Nikkor 105 mm f2.8 macro Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 Sigma 50-500mm F4-6.3 EX DG HSM Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM Nikon 70-300mm AF f/4-5.6G Nikon 50mm f1.8 |
Kit 2 Nikon D700 |
Other Kit View my profile to see my other kit! |
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My Compact/P&S: Fuji finepix bridge |
 Admin Team
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: South Wales, UK
Posts: 15,385
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The only thing that concerns me about buying from abroad is if something goes wrong - it can be a real pain getting things exchanged/fixed.
Also you will be liable to pay duty unless the sender writes something like 'gift' on the parcel - although even then it may not always work!
Also you will be liable to pay duty unless the sender writes something like 'gift' on the parcel - although even then it may not always work!
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Kit 1 Nikon D300 Nikon 55-200mm VR |
Kit 2 Nikon D40 Nikon 18-55mm |
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My Compact/P&S: Panasonic Lumix TZ7 |
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Cork, Ireland
Posts: 7,578
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Yes - those are the main worries!
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xx
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Kit 1 Nikon D800 Nikkor 50mm f1.4 Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8 Nikkor 105 mm f2.8 macro Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 Sigma 50-500mm F4-6.3 EX DG HSM Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM Nikon 70-300mm AF f/4-5.6G Nikon 50mm f1.8 |
Kit 2 Nikon D700 |
Other Kit View my profile to see my other kit! |
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My Compact/P&S: Fuji finepix bridge |
 Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Norfolk, UK
Posts: 2,615
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I've bought plenty of bits and bobs from Hong Kong via E Bay. I don't think I'd risk it with anything high value though. Never had to pay duty as they have always come as 'gifts'.
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Kit 1 Canon 550D Canon 50mm 1.8 Sigma 30mm 1.4 on loan: Tamron 90mm |
Kit 2 Canon 300D (in use by my 10 year old) |
Other Kit View my profile to see my other kit! |
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My Compact/P&S: broken |
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: east sussex
Posts: 3,484
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Hands up, yes I have made many purchase from Hong Kong, from lenses to accessories.
I have to say if buying from a shop the service is excellent, or thats what I have found.
One particular lens was actually a third cheaper than in the UK and received in about 4 days. In the UK I tried around 15 different outlets and either they didn't have it in stock or asking full retail price. As for things going wrong, they havn't, but insurance covers
replacement/repair anyway.
One thing I wouldn't buy is a camera from HK but thats personal choice
Bazza
I have to say if buying from a shop the service is excellent, or thats what I have found.
One particular lens was actually a third cheaper than in the UK and received in about 4 days. In the UK I tried around 15 different outlets and either they didn't have it in stock or asking full retail price. As for things going wrong, they havn't, but insurance covers
replacement/repair anyway.
One thing I wouldn't buy is a camera from HK but thats personal choice
Bazza
 Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Oregon, USA
Posts: 2,657
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zoundz
Don't know about duty - but I have *no* problem with "taking business from UK shops" - frequently they charge way too much anyway. As it happens, I buy most of my stuff in the UK, because when you see the cost of stuff in Ireland, you'd not believe the good deals you get in the UK! I'm more than happy to take business away from Irish shops - because they charge too much. I was quoted €400 for the Nikkor 50mm f1.4 - for the record, that's £375...
xx
I'm more than happy to take business away from Irish shops - because they charge too much. I was quoted €400 for the Nikkor 50mm f1.4 - for the record, that's £375... xx
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18mm Fujinon 35mm Fujinon 60mm Fujinon 18-55 Fujinon 55-200mm Fujinon |
Other Kit View my profile to see my other kit! |
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My Compact/P&S: Fuji X-E1 |
