VAT Bill from Fedex - Hong Kong Ebay

PaulieC

I got a 30D off Kea last month. The package was described by Kea as computer peripherals and valued at 200HK Dollars. Fedex deleivered it and I wasn't stun for VAT - until yesterday. I arrived home to see a bill from fedex for 14 euro VAT and 7 euro fees from them.

I know 20 quid isn't much, but it pissed me off no end. Has anyone else who bought off Kea or URGalaxy had this experience ?

Fajitas!

Ah tis only 20 quid!

You still saved how much?

Shiny

I bought from Hong Kong Supplies (Ebay Shop) and I Spoke to the
guy about what value he would declare my goods.

The total was about 2500 euro.

He said that he would decalre the package as being
worth 400euro and label it as a gift.

I knew I would be stung for Vat and I was for about
100euro.
I was much happier paying that than the alternative
risk of paying the full whack!

You got the 30D for less than 1000 and it wont be that
cheap anywhere else at the moment.

Count yourself lucky.

halenger

This is how Fedex work, they pay the VAT and bill you for it.

It has been said on here many times, import from Hong Kong and similar and you should expect to get stung for VAT. The fact that you got stung for such a trivial amount should make you happy.

rymus

*begins to sweat profusely*

Fajitas!

Least you got your 70-200 in time...

*makes 'Rymus is a tosser' motion*

judomick

ive read that that you dont have to pay vat on imported digital cameras? is this true?

Valentia

judomick wrote:

ive read that that you dont have to pay vat on imported digital cameras? is this true?

No. No duty though.

Oriel

I have a 80-200mm posted today!

mikeanywhere

Fajitas! wrote:

Ah tis only 20 quid!

Defo still saved a lot compared to buying here!!

PaulieC

I know I still saved a packet versus buying here. Really the reason I was posting was because I wasn't expecting it - it seemed like no one had ever got stung for VAT on stuff from Hong Kong.
It is a small amount, I just hate paying Fedex money...

Roen

When I saw the thread title I thought my love affair with UrGalaxy was over! €20 I can handle, €500 I cannot.

judomick

a little off topic, but are the cameras from HK the same as you would buy in europe compatability,specs wise?

i.e would the canon 400d from HK be a 400d or an xti or is there a difference?

mikeanywhere

cambo_gueno wrote:

it seemed like no one had ever got stung for VAT on stuff from Hong Kong

Dont count on it, there are a few stories on here recently where people have had a bill through.

Shiny

judomick wrote:

a little off topic, but are the cameras from HK the same as you would buy in europe compatability,specs wise?

i.e would the canon 400d from HK be a 400d or an xti or is there a difference?

My 30D and lens's are the same as the ones you would buy in Dublin.

Although,

The warrenty could be different as I think they are grey market items.
Not 100% sure about that.

rymus

Fajitas! wrote:

Least you got your 70-200 in time...

*makes 'Rymus is a tosser' motion*

Yeah, but should I be worried about getting a bill in the door for it, and the 30D I got before it...

PaulieC

mikeanywhere wrote:

Dont count on it, there are a few stories on here recently where people have had a bill through.

yeah, I know people have got stuck getting stuff from B&H and other USA retailers...

Fajitas!

I shouldn't think it would take this long.

Just say that Ryan has moved out and your the new occupants. And you have no forwarding address...?

Though I guess fedex might be wary next time you order...

rymus

yeah, especially if the next order arrives with the same delivery contact

I went throught a big bru-ha-ha once with FedEx about a drive I got in from the US. I got a bill for €47 off them, which I paid after some delay. Some months later I was still getting bills for the same invoice and eventually a couple of letters from a debt collection agency. I was informed that any future deliveries may be "held" until I pay the invoice (which I already had done, months ago).

I had to call them, speak to a few different managers and spell out exactly where I sent the cheque and when it was cashed. Fookin noobs!

unklerosco

€20 blips... U should see the bills my dad gets off em when he imports gear for his bike from the states.. Last one i saw was €300+

FreeAnd..

hope I dont get stung, i have recently dipped into the wallet and I dont want to have to go any deeper. Is this just a once off or has anyone else got a similar letter? At least it was only for the marked value and not the real value..

Scubadevils

I work in electronics and often get sample product in from the Far East which are marked "Sample - No Commercial Value". In my case its going to a business address but worth trying with the person selling from Ebay. Could always try also "RMA Replacement - No Commercial Value".

unklerosco

Thats what i've done... or warranty repairs

Fionn

the price won't make your photography any better......but you'l be glad to know that your contributing to this country's success and helping to drive our economy ever more forward etc. eh?
right?

Valentia

Fionn wrote:

the price won't make your photography any better......but you'l be glad to know that your contributing to this country's success and helping to drive our economy ever more forward etc. eh?
right?

Good man Fionn

I bought most of my gear in 2004. Got "stung" from the US and HK but it still saved me a fortune. There is NO duty on cameras. I can live with the VAT just as long as the sticker says value €60.

leinsterman

This is a little worrying ... I hope it is not the start of a new trend ... I'm about the get my 5d from for Chrissake!!! ... but I guess "Mr HK Phooey" will mark it as low value ...

... and I'm waiting to see if there is any movement from Canon locally as promised ... commencing with the new year ...

Roen

Some of the HK boys guarantee no vat to the UK or a full refund. If you knew someone there you could get it that way.
How true that 'guarantee' would turn out to be I have no idea.

leinsterman

Roen wrote:

Some of the HK boys guarantee no vat to the UK or a full refund. If you knew someone there you could get it that way.
How true that 'guarantee' would turn out to be I have no idea.

Is it VAt or duty that does not apply to import of Digital Cameras ?

Due to some quirk in the law concerning Computer equipment

... keep mixing them up ...

Roen

No Duty, they hit you with Vat alright. I know that urgalaxy 'guarantee' no vat to the UK, as do several others. Might be worth a look if customs are clamping down.

lensman

always tell the HK sellers to use EMS mail & not any of the couriers, it may take a few days longer to get here but less likely to attract vat/tax,..works every time for me.

Mr. Presentable

Hey, people, seriously, just pay your taxes. You're getting a bargain, no shop in Ireland is getting any benefit from your transaction, so let the Govt collect a little for the sick children.

Scubadevils

lensman wrote:

always tell the HK sellers to use EMS mail & not any of the couriers, it may take a few days longer to get here but less likely to attract vat/tax,..works every time for me.

Is that as secure as the courier sevices though?

lensman

Felixdhc wrote:

Is that as secure as the courier sevices though?

never had any problems as yet, you get a tracking No for Hongkong Post and you can track on the An Post site as well.

Last month I ordered a canon 580ex flash & CP-E3 Batt Pack form Kea Photo I told them to ship via EMS post not courier, see details below only took 6 working days.
shipping history

Roen

I've only ever had them use Fedex and I've had no problems at all. Three day delivery

Scubadevils

lensman wrote:

never had any problems as yet, you get a tracking No for Hongkong Post and you can track on the An Post site as well.

Last month I ordered a canon 580ex flash & CP-E3 Batt Pack form Kea Photo I told them to ship via EMS post not courier, see details below only took 6 working days.
shipping history

Suppose the risk of a package going missing is there regardless of how its sent. 6 working days is pretty quick too.

tab126

Just curious... what about those of us not *entirely* subject to VAT? I know that if I buy a 60 euro sweater in Galway, I get all (but a small fee) of the VAT back. Surely the same rules apply for electronics. Also, if I imported something, would I a) not pay VAT or b) pay it, then get it refunded? Anyone know where to look that up?

Oh - and if any of you want to hire a personal courier, I'll be in the US 'till early/mid january with a shipping address. I don't know if the prices are THAT great in the US, from this thread, it seems like a lot of people are going for (post) x-mas presents from abroad.

Roen

Well, we'll find out in three days if Jonny Customs man is in Christmas mood or not.
My next addition is on it's way from HK

lensman

Roen wrote:

Well, we'll find out in three days if Jonny Customs man is in Christmas mood or not.
My next addition is on it's way from HK

well,.....what is it ?

Roen

Well it's black and roundy and ends with L

lensman

Roen wrote:

Well it's black and roundy and ends with L

you sure it's not white & round ending in L ?

Roen

Nope it's definitely black and roundy and ends with L

leinsterman

Roen wrote:

Nope it's definitely black and roundy and ends with L

Hmnnnn ... 17-40 ?


... or (yum) 16-35 ...

Fajitas!

135 f/2?

Morlar

135 f/2 L lens.

*drools

Fajitas!

Damn you Merv!!!

Roen

Yup, the link is that last L above. Looking forward to it as I want to get into a bit of portraiture.

Fajitas!

Autofocus is... fast. To say the least.

mikeanywhere

Morlar wrote:

135 f/2 L lens.

*drools

niiiiiiiiiiiice!!! :cool:

Roen

Fajitas! wrote:

Autofocus is... fast. To say the least.

We'll stick it on your 5d over Christmas and see what happens. Apparently it's quite a 'magical' combination.
Now all we need is light and hot chicks.

Fajitas!

It is, I used it on Wednesday night! Merv has one on his 5D too.

I'll see what I can do with wimmen if you can get a decent spotlight

Though the talent these parts seems to have...well...

Trip to Kilkenny might be in store

CONMIKE12

i got a lens 6 weeks ago from URGALAXY for €1,200 and he put on the invoice that it was a repaired item originally bought in the uk.he even put the address of the company it was bought from.i think the bill was for 150 (HK?) dollars.So far,no tax bill.i find UrGALAXY really good.i recieved another lens there on friday morning which took only two and a half days to arrive and he did the same thing,stating on the invoice it was a repair job for 170 dollars.I'll post here if i get any bills but even if i do,hopefully they will be small ones.happend to be in town the other day and priced Fridays arrival in two shops. looks like I saved at least 800 euro