If I buy a camera from a company in Japan ($2000 value) and have it shipped into the US, what is the amount of tax that I will have to pay? Assume full declared value.
Hi RM, I'm not from the US obviously but I sold and shipped many lenses to the US, and my understanding is that there is no tax on used gear. I don't know the rate for new gear, but it shouldn't be difficult to find on the customs webpage.
edwardkaraa wrote:
Hi RM, I'm not from the US obviously but I sold and shipped many lenses to the US, and my understanding is that there is no tax on used gear. I don't know the rate for new gear, but it shouldn't be difficult to find on the customs webpage.
Thanks Edward. I have heard that there were no import taxes into the US but I figured someone would have experience here. Government web pages are designed to hide information, not share it!!
Usually we only have to pay tax/duties if the purchase is substantial, like a palette of cameras, versus just one, since that would practically guarantee that whoever is receiving 1000 cameras is probably going to resell them.
For a single package, in my experience, if you ship through a private carrier (UPS/Fedex), they will go out of their way to comply with the law, no matter how small the tax is. Ironically, if you ship through USPS (EMS), there are rarely any issues on our end. I bought a prism from a guy in Japan and he sent it via Japan Post/EMS. It was in my hands in 4 days.
corposant wrote:
Usually we only have to pay tax/duties if the purchase is substantial, like a palette of cameras, versus just one, since that would practically guarantee that whoever is receiving 1000 cameras is probably going to resell them.
For a single package, in my experience, if you ship through a private carrier (UPS/Fedex), they will go out of their way to comply with the law, no matter how small the tax is. Ironically, if you ship through USPS (EMS), there are rarely any issues on our end. I bought a prism from a guy in Japan and he sent it via Japan Post/EMS. It was in my hands in 4 days....Show more →
Ok, no pallets of cameras. Gotcha ya! My wife will be very happy to hear that.
Have them ship it EMS to be sure, and be forthright with your HTS classification.
EMS is really "fast 'n' furious" when it comes to shipping. It's tracked and travels across borders at full tilt. Truth be told it is as good a value as anything the private couriers can concoct.
Avoid FedEx and UPS as like to get their sticky fingers in the HTS pot, believe me. They'll charge you brokerage fees on whatever they can and claim that it's all about "compliance". To FedEx and UPS, I say directly: shame on you!
As to your import duty - it's "free" only if it adheres to the conditions laid out in the HTS. Note that a lot of section 9006 is geared towards the "film era" as it makes specific distinctions thereto. You can try simply claiming 9006 but they may (may) ask for the full sub-heading beyond the first four digits.
I don't believe that the U.S. government is trying to hide information or stymie the consumer. Rather, consider it an "Americanism" as culturally we love to classify things and place them in a specific category because that is, in a small way, how the American character is - our understanding of the external is based on how to typify things, and oftentimes those in the position of decision-making won't put something to bed unless they are satisfied as to which row/bunk/bed it will sleep in. But once allocated or otherwise apportioned, your customs official will duly move on to the next challenge
Buying from overseas and being your own "importer of record" can be an interesting experience. But, in the end, you get the goods you have coveted and rush out to make art with it/them.
sirimiri wrote:
Have them ship it EMS to be sure, and be forthright with your HTS classification.
EMS is really "fast 'n' furious" when it comes to shipping. It's tracked and travels across borders at full tilt. Truth be told it is as good a value as anything the private couriers can concoct.
Avoid FedEx and UPS as like to get their sticky fingers in the HTS pot, believe me. They'll charge you brokerage fees on whatever they can and claim that it's all about "compliance". To FedEx and UPS, I say directly: shame on you!
As to your import duty - it's "free" only if it adheres to the conditions laid out in the HTS. Note that a lot of section 9006 is geared towards the "film era" as it makes specific distinctions thereto. ...Show more →
That's a bit humorous as it is a film camera I am interested in importing!
FedEx/UPS are the best way to make sure you will pay taxes, even if normally you don't have to.
Same in Canada.
I was going to mention that you also need to complete FCC forms to import a digital camera into the US, but I noticed that ratty said he's after a film camera, and so it doesn't apply.
I have yet to be charged import duty on any of my imported used Leica R lenses including my 280mm F4 Apo Telyt or my 100mm f2.8 Macro Apo Elmarit lenses.
A Fuji X-E1 + 35mm f/1.4 was purchased from HK-- and customs definitely looked at it since they asked for a specific form showing FCC compliance or something. Form was emailed, and shipment moved on within 24hrs.
Wow, today I just received a UPS bill for close to $40 (they claim $32 for duty and $7 for "Brokerage" charge) on a USED lens I received from Poland a few weeks ago. Going to the dutycalculator above, it comes back with the message that a used lens is duty free. So what's the deal? Does UPS just pocket this $$ when unsuspecting customers actually pay it? I'm certainly not giving them a dime.
Tariq Gibran wrote:
Wow, today I just received a UPS bill for close to $40 (they claim $32 for duty and $7 for "Brokerage" charge) on a USED lens I received from Poland a few weeks ago. Going to the dutycalculator above, it comes back with the message that a used lens is duty free. So what's the deal? Does UPS just pocket this $$ when unsuspecting customers actually pay it? I'm certainly not giving them a dime.
That is why it is normally recommend to send via EMS, postal service International. Sent and going through customs and the USPS I have never seen anyone be charged import duties or fees. UPS and FEDEX yes they will charge for brokerage fees and duty.
I've never had to pay any duties, nor has anybody I've shipped to. This is the many years I was in Japan/Korea, and now that I'm back in Texas having friends overseas ship to me.
Tariq Gibran wrote:
Wow, today I just received a UPS bill for close to $40 (they claim $32 for duty and $7 for "Brokerage" charge) on a USED lens I received from Poland a few weeks ago. Going to the dutycalculator above, it comes back with the message that a used lens is duty free. So what's the deal? Does UPS just pocket this $$ when unsuspecting customers actually pay it? I'm certainly not giving them a dime.
You can certainly argue the duty by citing the appropriate HTS section. But the "brokerage" charge, I wish you luck. They will claim that they had to "handle" the package no matter what, because of insufficient documentation or the incoming value or a random audit or "it's Tuesday and I love bacon", etc. etc.
sirimiri wrote:
You can certainly argue the duty by citing the appropriate HTS section. But the "brokerage" charge, I wish you luck. They will claim that they had to "handle" the package no matter what, because of insufficient documentation or the incoming value or a random audit or "it's Tuesday and I love bacon", etc. etc.
I actually called UPS and spoke to their supposed brokerage specialist. Unbelievably, they were completely confused about the correct HTS designation. On my bill, UPS had sited a duty class/ HTS 9010.90.9000 with a main heading description:
"Apparatus and equipment for photographic (including cinematographic)laboratories, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter; negatoscopes;projectionscreens; parts and accessories thereof:"
Which is completely wrong for an SLR lens and carries a higher rate than what I discovered is the correct designation, 9002.11.90 which carries a 2.3% rate. So, at the very least, I guess I will save a whopping ten bucks or so.
