Buying Camera in the US when over for a holiday?

slinky2000

Hey guys, headin over to New York and I'm thinking of buying a new nikon while I'm over. I worked it out I can save about €600.

What's the story with warranty? Is it basically null and void?

What about customs etc coming back? Is there a restriction on the value of goods you're meant to bring back or anything?

bluecode

Unless the rules have changed you have to declare it and pay the duty. You might think well: 'I'll unbox it and get it through and that will be that.' But you can be caught anytime you bring it through. I know of one guy who bought a camera in the USA and brought it back without a problem. But on a subsequent trip, he was stopped. They asked about the camera. Once they checked he was hit for the duty. I happen to think he was unlucky. But there you are.

I'm not sure about warranties. But I imagine there may be difficulties.

20/20

The warranty will usually be Void for Europe,but you should consider how you will insure such an expensive camera at home.

splendid101

Unless things have changed in the last 5/6 years, Nikon do warranties on their bodies ONLY in the country of purchase. The warranty on lenses is international though.

I'm not sure the reasons for this however.

With regard to duty, it's true it can be checked anytime and you are supposed to declare it. I've never had my cameras examined coming back into the country though.

UCDVet

Who says crime doesn't pay?

Gregor Samsa

slinky2000 wrote: »

What about customs etc coming back? Is there a restriction on the value of goods you're meant to bring back or anything?

The official rules and regulations for Duty and VAT are explained here:

http://www.revenue.ie/en/customs/leaflets/pn1878a.html

In short, goods to the total value of €430 is the Duty Free allowance. Anything over that is liable for Duty. But digital cameras have a 0% Duty rate. So you'd just be liable for VAT.

On a personal note, I've never seen a Customs person at all at the airport I use for US travel (not Dublin). YMMV.

Hogzy

bluecode wrote: »

Unless the rules have changed you have to declare it and pay the duty. You might think well: 'I'll unbox it and get it through and that will be that.' But you can be caught anytime you bring it through. I know of one guy who bought a camera in the USA and brought it back without a problem. But on a subsequent trip, he was stopped. They asked about the camera. Once they checked he was hit for the duty. I happen to think he was unlucky. But there you are.

I'm not sure about warranties. But I imagine there may be difficulties.

This sounds like total BS. There is no way in hell customs would force you to pay Duty/VAT on a product that is not blatantly brand new.

Effects

UCDVet wrote: »

Who says crime doesn't pay?

You?

slinky2000

Thanks for the advice guys. If I got it and had to pay the VAT it still works out a bit cheaper than buying it in the UK and alot cheaper than buying it here in Ireland.

I'm not going till after Christmas so I'll decide closer to the time what I'm doing.

The lack of warranty is the big thing though.

bluecode

Hogzy wrote: »

This sounds like total BS. There is no way in hell customs would force you to pay Duty/VAT on a product that is not blatantly brand new.

Think what you like, it happened and he was really annoyed about it. I can't give you chapter and verse on the rules. But I'm pretty sure you are liable for any smuggled goods at any point. I did say I think he was unlucky.

Hogzy

bluecode wrote: »

Think what you like, it happened and he was really annoyed about it. I can't give you chapter and verse on the rules. But I'm pretty sure you are liable for any smuggled goods at any point. I did say I think he was unlucky.

he should have challenged it. You are liable for smuggling goods however the state must prove you are smuggling them.

bluecode

Yes but he did smuggle it in. That's the point. In any case it's hardly worth the effort.

splendid101

Hogzy wrote: »

he should have challenged it. You are liable for smuggling goods however the state must prove you are smuggling them.

They can tell from the serial number where it was purchased and whether duty was paid.

He could have argued that it was bought second hand I suppose, in which case duty is not payable.

ablelocks

i bought my canon 450d a few years ago in new york.

I may have been a bit paranoid but before I went, i took some photos locally with my old camera and took the memory card with me. When I bought the camera, I put the memory card in so that if stopped on the way home I could "prove" I had brought the camera with me to the US for my holiday.

I also posted all the documentation, chargers etc home so that i was only carrying the camera in a well-worn bag through the airport.

I wasn't stopped or checked. But then again, it was thru Shannon.

16workout

Just back from the states. Got a D5100 unboxed it and carried it through no problem. They ( customs ) must be able to prove you have undeclared an item to tax you. Use the old excuse of a man in a pub sold it to me before I left Ireland should do the trick if questioned.

OldGoat

MOD NOTE:
This thread is heading in a "How To Avoid Paying Duties" direction and thats not something supported by Boards.ie. Any more hints as to how to get a camera through customs without paying the lawful duties on it will be deleted and the poster face a ban.

16workout

Dear
Old goat I was asked for an opinion and replied. I didn't start this thread and I do not accept being policed by you on such a soft subject. The Irish customs have laws to abide by as do the courts.i would suggest that if you are worried about this subject then all legal subjects and advice forms be banned. But that would be a bit like a nanny state ( China) don't you think
Please don't be too upset freedom of speech is a good thing

Effects

I know you're only new here but Boards.ie is a nanny forum so don't be so surprised at their stance.

Splinters

16workout wrote: »

Dear
Old goat I was asked for an opinion and replied. I didn't start this thread and I do not accept being policed by you on such a soft subject. The Irish customs have laws to abide by as do the courts.i would suggest that if you are worried about this subject then all legal subjects and advice forms be banned. But that would be a bit like a nanny state ( China) don't you think
Please don't be too upset freedom of speech is a good thing

Boards.ie is a privately owned website. They are fully entitled to administer it however they choose, and you agreed as much in the terms and conditions when you signed up. You may or may not be aware but over the year boards.ie has had a couple of legal run ins and close calls over the content put up here by its users. I dont thinking asking users to keep conversation within the confines of the law is asking too much.

Tiriel

Is the warranty definitely void in the EU if purchasing a new Canon in the US? Would this deter most people making purchases?

My Mom was going to wait and purchase when on a trip in late December but maybe it is best to just buy here if the warranty is void?

Splinters

I think it depends on the issue. I rang Canon Ireland about an issue I had with my old T2i (US version of the 550D) and they were very helpful. Admitedly they were able to solve the issue over the phone and it didnt need to be sent off for repair so maybe they would have drawn the line there.

Paulw

Cork_girl wrote: »

Is the warranty definitely void in the EU if purchasing a new Canon in the US? Would this deter most people making purchases?

You really need to check the item.

Some have different EU/US warranty, but some actually have worldwide warranty.

Check the details carefully before you buy, but in saying that, I don't think it would effect my decision to buy (or not).