[Ireland] I just purchased a 24~105 ƒ4 from HK, for approx €750 for comparison, add maybe another €100 to get it locally [but as usual none in stock!!!].
But B&H NY was €760 with shipping, converted from the US$, even with the low dollar, this is the first time I see prices actually higher in the US. Add duty, import fees and VAT that brings the lens to almost €1,000 from them ~ now this is where one sees the price difference.
Going on past experience, I'd have expected to get the lens from B&H, with the low dollar for about €500 including all the extras, VAT etc ~~~~
I don't know how the currency exchange moves, GeeBee.
From this end, I haven't noticed any price change in B&H prices in $ US.
In fact, some recently introduced lenses have declined some, the usual way after a few months to a year of their introduction, such as the 50L, 16-35L and 14L.
Because HK WAS UK, and the UK is part of the EU and there is no extra VAT or import duty between EU countries. Under the Chinese, a lot of the trade agreements still stand and are acknowledged, China and HK is 'almost' an extension of the EU and China is very aggressive in trade.
My last three purchase were from HK because of their almost instant shipping, 24hr service and English speaking service personnel and their no quibble refund or exchange, they just seem to bend over backwards ~ and their prices are competitive ~
and one always gets those little gifts, air fresheners, lanyards, book markers, credit card wallets, post cards, fly swatters, trivial but touching little extras.
quote]arnond wrote:
why would you not pay VAT and fees when buying from HK ?
gbee wrote:
and one always gets those little gifts, air fresheners, lanyards, book markers, credit card wallets, post cards, fly swatters, trivial but touching little extras.
Yeah whats up with that? Lik-Sang was the same way (till sony ran'em out of business).
gbee wrote:
Because HK WAS UK, and the UK is part of the EU and there is no extra VAT or import duty between EU countries. Under the Chinese, a lot of the trade agreements still stand and are acknowledged, China and HK is 'almost' an extension of the EU and China is very aggressive in trade.
There certainly is VAT and duty when buying from Hong Kong to the UK! If you do not pay it it is because you have "got away with it" - through luck or artifice on the part of the shipper.
Mar 04, 2008 at 04:52 AM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
