RE: [Leica] Purchase Leica in UK

[Thomas Kachadurian <tom@kachadurian.com>]

Chuck:

That's if you are carrying it in. When you order things it's a bit 
different. First, you don't pay VAT at all when  you order from the 
US. Then you pay 3 to 6% for import tax depending on the item. There 
a very confusing list of codes for various items posted on the US 
Treasury website.  But that's all there is. Some days, it's the 
variable exchange rate that will kill you.

Tom

>First question: The first $400 of your overseas purchases are exempt from
>duty. The next $1000 worth of purchases are charged 10 percent duty. Above
>that, I don't know--call Customs. For example, when I bought a 90mm at a
>Heathrow duty-free store for $1050, I paid $65 duty (10 percent of $650, or
>$1050-$400). "Duty-free" stores only get you out of paying duty in the
>country where they're located (in that case, the UK), but not when entering
>the US. That was a couple of years ago, but the percentages are the same
>(and the camera shop in Heathrow Terminal 4 doesn't stock much Leica gear
>anymore, mostly binoculars). If you're buying from a regular dealer in the
>UK, ask about how to get a refund on the VAT, and allow extra time at the
>airport on departure day to deal with the paperwork---the savings are worth
>it.
>
>And be sure to declare it. If you don't, and they find it, you'll pay the
>duty and a nasty fine on top of it.
>
>Chuck Albertson
>Seattle, Wash.
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
>[mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of res02bd8
>Sent: Monday, September 04, 2000 3:34 PM
>To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
>Subject: [Leica] Purchase Leica in UK
>
>
>Anyone have experience importing Leica lens into US? How much is US Customs?
>
>Is Leica rebate in UK available to US citizens? Their rebate program is
>extended till Sept. 30, 2000.
>
>Dave Mishalof
>Huntington Beach, CA

Thomas Kachadurian
- -------------------
www.kachadurian.com