Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II from the U. S. A,

labbad

Having read the virtues of the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II on these Boards and elsewhere I decided to purchase one to compliment my reasonably new Canon 400D.
I have purchased quite a lot online from UK and Europe and wanted to find out what the scene was from the USA. I looked at a few American Companies and setteled for http://www.adorama.com/CA5018AFU.html.

I but in my order about 2 a.m. on the morning of the 10th (last Wednesday) choosing the cheapest shipping rate. I couldn't believe it when UPS rang me today at 1p.m. to say they were just 10 mins from my house with the lens.

Now the important bit the cost.
Lens €60.00
UPS Shipping €31.00
VAT €18.90
Duty € 2.79
Government Chgs €13.50

Total €126.19

Not the cheapest but little enough in the difference lesson well learned.

Yipee can't wait to try my new lens :D:D:D:D

TelePaul

labbad wrote: »

Having read the virtues of the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II on these Boards and elsewhere I decided to purchase one to compliment my reasonably new Canon 400D.
I have purchased quite a lot online from UK and Europe and wanted to find out what the scene was from the USA. I looked at a few American Companies and setteled for http://www.adorama.com/CA5018AFU.html.

I but in my order about 2 a.m. on the morning of the 10th (last Wednesday) choosing the cheapest shipping rate. I couldn't believe it when UPS rang me today at 1p.m. to say they were just 10 mins from my house with the lens.

Now the important bit the cost.
Lens €60.00
UPS Shipping €31.00
VAT €18.90
Duty € 2.79
Government Chgs €13.50

Total €126.19

Not the cheapest but little enough in the difference lesson well learned.

Yipee can't wait to try my new lens :D:D:D:D

What's that about?

killbillvol2

I don't know if you want to hear this...

I bought the same lens this week from the UK on ebay. £50 + £10 shipping. Seller is kerso who's been recommended here a few times.
Total €82.72

I've been messing with it today with some portraits and I'm amazed at the quality.

labbad

TelePaul wrote: »

What's that about?

Asked the driver he says its a charge the customs put on to decide how much vat and duty to charge me :mad:

labbad

killbillvol2 wrote: »

I don't know if you want to hear this...

I bought the same lens this week from the UK on ebay. £50 + £10 shipping. Seller is kerso who's been recommended here a few times.
Total €82.72

I've been messing with it today with some portraits and I'm amazed at the quality.

Thanks killbillvol2 yes I have bought a lot from E-bay down through the years but as I said above it was deliberate attempt to find out what the USA scene was If it had worked out it would opened a pandoras box of goodies
good luck with the lens will look forward to the results I'm delighted so far only poking just yet

Thirdfox

I believe that charge isn't from the government but rather from UPS who charge you to figure out how much tax they need to pay customs before delivering the item to you.

But buying from within the EU is your best bet normally. The duty exemption rate is going up to 100 Euro this December though - I don't know if this will apply for VAT too.

Right now anything less than 22 euro (total value - item and delivery cost) is not taxed regardless of where it comes from.

AnimalRights

I doubt Bertie was charged these "Government chgs" on his brown envelopes.

labbad

Thirdfox wrote: »

I believe that charge isn't from the government but rather from UPS who charge you to figure out how much tax they need to pay customs before delivering the item to you.



Could be right Thirdfox

labbad

AnimalRights wrote: »

I doubt Bertie was charged these "Government chgs" on his brown envelopes.

Cost him his job though

Creamy Goodness

the charge is also used to allow your item to pass through customs instantly so that customs don't stop your parcel.

when your lens comes into the country it has to go through customs, if customs duty is charged on it then ups pay this for you and collect the money from yourself. they charge for this service.