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Government Taxes on Camera Imports

  • 13-06-2009 5:32pm
    #1
    whiz
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 423 ✭✭


    Hi Guys
    If you a buy a camera on ebay, say from Hong Kong or China, which is cheaper then in shops here, how are government taxes calculated on the camera import ? which are collected by the courier companies on behalf of the government. Is it still cheaper to buy imports on ebay, which the government will charge taxes later on, than buy cameras in local shops here ?


Comments

  • #2
    leche solara
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,168 ✭✭✭leche solara


    21.5% vat is charged on any item worth more than €22
    Excise duty of ? on all items worth more than €150.

    Learnt this recently when buying a lens from a Hong Kong ebay seller.


  • #3
    Paddy@CIRL
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,899 ✭✭✭Paddy@CIRL


    Some sellers in HK will cover any VAT or import duty incurred, I've been using OneStop Digital and I couldn't recommend them more !

    http://www.onestop-digital.com/


  • #4
    dudara
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 33,518 ✭✭✭✭dudara


    I bought a 55-200 DX AFS VR lens recently. Paid something like E170 then another E30 in duties etc. DHL sent out the item for COD.

    I like to think that I saved a nice bit of money doing it.


  • #5
    cnocbui
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,226 ✭✭✭✭cnocbui


    If you are using one of the big courier companies like Fedex UPS, they will collect the taxes from you and charge a whopping fee for the privilege.

    If you have something sent via normal postal services, and it is insured or registered, you will end up paying the duty and a large fee to the company that takes a week or two to notify you your parcel has been nabbed.

    If it is sent by post uninsured and unregistered, there is a very good chance you wont pay anything.


  • #6
    Nforce
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,924 ✭✭✭Nforce


    cnocbui wrote: »
    If it is sent by post uninsured and unregistered, there is a very good chance you wont pay anything.

    True ;)....granted this method is a lot riskier, but sometimes you have to weigh up the pro's and con's.


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  • #7
    cnocbui
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,226 ✭✭✭✭cnocbui


    Nforce wrote: »
    True ;)....granted this method is a lot riskier, but sometimes you have to weigh up the pro's and con's.

    Shhhhhhh! I am ahead by miles. ;)


  • #8
    matood
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19 ✭matood


    Hi, you can`t recommend onestop-digital anymore? I just ordered from them...What`s happened?


  • #9
    Saint_Mel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,598 ✭✭✭Saint_Mel


    matood wrote: »
    Hi, you can`t recommend onestop-digital anymore? I just ordered from them...What`s happened?

    Cant recommend them more I assume, as in cant recommend them highly enough. for what irts worth I've used OneStop too and had no problems at all.


  • #10
    matood
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19 ✭matood


    Allright cheers. My item was shipped in monday, when it may be here?


  • #11
    matood
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19 ✭matood


    I used them first, mainly because all the recommendations here and the price they offer. I hope will join the club of satisfied costumers :)


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  • #12
    abelard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,837 ✭✭✭abelard


    Paddy@CIRL wrote: »
    Some sellers in HK will cover any VAT or import duty incurred, I've been using OneStop Digital and I couldn't recommend them more !

    http://www.onestop-digital.com/

    The site says the VAT/Import refunds are only available to UK customers - has this been extended to Ireland and the site just not updated?

    Also, has anyone else used them or can anyone give any more feedback on them?


  • #13
    matood
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19 ✭matood


    abelard wrote: »
    The site says the VAT/Import refunds are only available to UK customers - has this been extended to Ireland and the site just not updated?

    Also, has anyone else used them or can anyone give any more feedback on them?


    I don`t know yet. I`m waiting for delivery. And i don`t know what is the procedure if i have to paid tax. I think just somebody send me letter with amount how much pay, how and for what few days after delivery but i really don`t know. You might call to onestop and ask them


  • #14
    trishw78
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,657 ✭✭✭trishw78


    Just a quick note to remind everyone that it is illegal & against the charter of this Forum and boards in general to avoid customs & excise charges on imports. Before the thread heads in that particular direction.

    I believe they calculate it on how much it would cost to buy said camera etc. in an Irish store. I am open for correction on this though.


  • #15
    matood
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19 ✭matood


    Ok, just last drop, i received my tamy yesterday from onestop and no additional payment, just waht i paid to them. ;)


  • #16
    shoegirl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,029 ✭✭✭shoegirl


    trishw78 wrote: »
    Just a quick note to remind everyone that it is illegal & against the charter of this Forum and boards in general to avoid customs & excise charges on imports. Before the thread heads in that particular direction.

    I believe they calculate it on how much it would cost to buy said camera etc. in an Irish store. I am open for correction on this though.

    They charge it on what you paid, which includes postage, and since often this is high if going via UPS, you effectively pay duty on that also.
    Plus a cheeky fee for collecting it.


  • #17
    matood
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19 ✭matood


    It went thru post...no courier


  • #18
    AnCatDubh
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,393 ✭✭✭AnCatDubh


    matood wrote: »
    It went thru post...no courier

    Granted but people should be aware that an post also act as collection agents for customs and in my personal experience of receiving goods from outside of the EU, they will seek payment before releasing an item. Perhaps it is a case of luck.


  • #19
    kumate_champ07
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,150 ✭✭✭kumate_champ07


    it might be cheaper from asia but you wont have a warranty. sometimes they provide a warranty from a 3rd party such as mack, and they usually arent reliable. if you dont mind waiting months for a repair and u need to save some cash u wont get cheaper than HK. ive seen some great HK sellers on ebay but i only buy from UK or USA(if exchange rate is good,but import tax can be a b1tch) or secondhand here in Ireland.


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