peter_n wrote:
There's no import customs duty on still camera equipment shipped into the US according to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States page 90-something. Video equipment - there's duty which is a fixed percentage by equipment type, still equipment - no duty. So you'd pay shipping only.
You'd probably also pay local sales tax and a handling fee...
You might find that "still camera equipment" includes lenses and cameras, but not tripods, clamps, and other accessories. At least, that's how the CA/US Free Trade Harmonized Tariff Schedule works.
Also, did you know that the video record time on DSLR bodies is limited to 30 minutes (for one continuous session), so that they''re not classified as " Video equipment"? Apparently, there's an initiative to remove the tariff on video, because now, everybody does it.
jcolwell wrote:
You'd probably also pay local sales tax and a handling fee...
You might find that "still camera equipment" includes lenses and cameras, but not tripods, clamps, and other accessories. At least, that's how the CA/US Free Trade Harmonized Tariff Schedule works.
Also, did you know that the video record time on DSLR bodies is limited to 30 minutes (for one continuous session), so that they''re not classified as " Video equipment"? Apparently, there's an initiative to remove the tariff on video, because now, everybody does it.
When you buy something from Europe VAT (sales tax) is not charged. I'm from the UK and visit Europe quite a bit and if you buy something there you get charged the VAT but then when you get to your port of exit the VAT is refunded because you're exporting the product.
Handling fee: this is a rip-off charge levied by certain carriers like DHL, Fed-Ex, and UPS. Often it's flagged as customs inspection. I've learned from bitter experience to insist on using the postal mail system or I won't buy from overseas. No handling fees there.
I haven't studied the US Tariff Schedule in about 18 months, but I've bought a tripod from China and clamps, ballheads and all kinds of other stuff and I've never had to pay any import duty.
I didn't know about the video record time limit on DSLRs, thanks for the info! Actually I thought that the rationale behind the import duty on video photographic equipment was the video industry in this country. There's no serious production of still cameras any more here, but the video business is still going strong. Could be wrong there though, not sure where I got that idea...
Very strange is it that the Swedish shop that I bought the L-plate in, charge 1519 Swedish kronor. That was $ 218. RRS them self at their website charge $ 250 for the same plate !!!!
Lars Johnsson wrote:
Very strange is it that the Swedish shop that I bought the L-plate in, charge 1519 Swedish kronor. That was $ 218. RRS them self at their website charge $ 250 for the same plate !!!!
It was $ 218 when I bought it last week. Not that $ 3 make any difference. The exchange rate will change $ 3 up or down every day.
And I don't think you really understand what you show in the pic.
1519 is the price for the L-plate
The other two numbers that are 140 and 414 are the (VAT)tax which no pro, company, or anybody working for a photo company pay. Even you don't have to pay it because you would be a foreigner (tourist) The other is shipping if you don't like to buy it in the shop. You can walk into the Goecker shop and pick it up by yourself.
So any pro or working photographer put 1519 sek on the table and walk out with the L-plate. NO extras....
You would pay 1519 + 440 in VAT. And the 440 would you get back at the airport when you left Sweden
if purchased in country by a regular consumer. we are not tacking on the pro non tax deal. ok i'll give you shipping. but the normal consumer will pay roughly in the realm of a US buyer give or take a few Kr.
sjms wrote:
if purchased in country by a regular consumer. we are not tacking on the pro non tax deal. ok i'll give you shipping. but the normal consumer will pay roughly in the realm of a US buyer give or take a few Kr.
Even you don't pay it. And it was about the RRS price against the lower price in this shop. The VAT has nothing to do with the price on th L-plate. This shop and probably other shops in Europe have to buy it for maybe $ 150 from the USA to make even a very very small profit
i never see you or anybody else adding the tax on the B&H prices that you have to pay if walking into that shop and buying
sjms wrote:
if purchased in country by a regular consumer. we are not tacking on the pro non tax deal. ok i'll give you shipping. but the normal consumer will pay roughly in the realm of a US buyer give or take a few Kr.
I'm paying 1519. And you would pay 1519. Are we not normal costumers/consumers The few people in Sweden that use a RRS L-plate and I know all pay 1519............
Lars Johnsson wrote:
Even you don't pay it. And it was about the RRS price against the lower price in this shop. The VAT has nothing to do with the price on th L-plate. This shop and probably other shops in Europe have to buy it for maybe $ 150 from the USA to make even a very very small profit
i never see you or anybody else adding the tax on the B&H prices that you have to pay if walking into that shop and buying
neither one of us has an ear to the wall on how RRS is selling their product to this company.
if i walked into B&H w/o a tax certificate on file or in hand i will pay NYC/NYS sales tax as any normal consumer will. also tax recovery is a whole lot more problematic as in nonexistant to out of towners unless shipped.
So how much do you belive a shop in Sweden that sell the RRS L-plate for $ 218 is paying when they buy it from RRS They have to pay for the shipping/insurance from the USA. And custom duty when it arrives. And they still have a price that is 13% below the RRS website price!! And they make a profit on that price also!!
I just called RRS about my L bracket for my 1DX and it’s still on backorder. While talking with Mark he informed me that the base plate they have in stock is the same base plate used with the new modular design L bracket. So I was able to order just the base plate for now. Then they’ll ship the L part when it becomes available. I don’t remember this being discussed before. I know someone was talking about using a universal base plate. Well if you’re waiting on your L bracket you can order they base plate now, if it’s in stock, and receive the second part later. Mark said I would still retain the same spot in the Q for the second half. You do have to pay shipping for each item though.
AmIgone wrote:
I just called RRS about my L bracket for my 1DX and it’s still on backorder. While talking with Mark he informed me that the base plate they have in stock is the same base plate used with the new modular design L bracket. So I was able to order just the base plate for now. Then they’ll ship the L part when it becomes available. I don’t remember this being discussed before. I know someone was talking about using a universal base plate. Well if you’re waiting on your L bracket you can order they base plate now, if it’s in stock, and receive the second part later. Mark said I would still retain the same spot in the Q for the second half. You do have to pay shipping for each item though. ...Show more →
I wrote to them yesterday asking about this and was informed that I could get the "L" component for the base plate once they have them in stock so no need to worry about having to buy a complete L plate in the future and try and sell the regular base plate. The price is even the same other than the additional $8 for shipping the second part later on. He told me it would be a couple of weeks until they had additional stock of the L components.
AmIgone wrote:
I just called RRS about my L bracket for my 1DX and it’s still on backorder. While talking with Mark he informed me that the base plate they have in stock is the same base plate used with the new modular design L bracket. So I was able to order just the base plate for now. Then they’ll ship the L part when it becomes available. I don’t remember this being discussed before. I know someone was talking about using a universal base plate. Well if you’re waiting on your L bracket you can order they base plate now, if it’s in stock, and receive the second part later. Mark said I would still retain the same spot in the Q for the second half. You do have to pay shipping for each item though. ...Show more →
You can order it from Sweden It's in stock here. And you can buy it for $ 218
I have it. And yes you can use the base-plate alone as a normal non-L plate. I really like that new design. Before I always bought one L-plate and one normal plate for my bodies.
rgold1963 wrote:
I wrote to them yesterday asking about this and was informed that I could get the "L" component for the base plate once they have them in stock so no need to worry about having to buy a complete L plate in the future and try and sell the regular base plate. The price is even the same other than the additional $8 for shipping the second part later on. He told me it would be a couple of weeks until they had additional stock of the L components.
I bought the baseplate alone when RRS "L" plate was on b/o( 7/17).
My components that combine to make the "L" plate are enroute to me know. About a week turnaround for all.(7/26).
Just received the rest of the "L" plate combo. It is a fine plate and extremely versatile. Both "L plate assy and standard plate mesh solidily.
My b/o on this was only 1 week.
Good luck!
Dan
wtf, I placed my order on 7/9/12. When I made the above post, 7/31/12, about them sending me just the base out. They told me it would be 2 weeks before I received the L part.
Just got a tracking number from UPS for the L component. I only ordered it 3 days ago and was told it might take up to two weeks. I would call them AmIgone and see what the hold up is.
Actually I thought that the rationale behind the import duty on video photographic equipment was the video industry in this country. There's no serious production of still cameras any more here, but the video business is still going strong. Could be wrong there though, not sure where I got that idea...
The few people in Sweden that use a RRS L-plate and I know all pay 1519............