SmellyTofu wrote:
Hang on... the exemption is on duty. Not GST. You pay GST but there's just no import tariff on camera equipments. That's all.
The exemption is for both duty and tax and the only tax that I know of is GST . Another thing to be wary of though is any shipping and insurance costs are bundled into the $1000. Also according to the customs department if more than one package is sent to the same address/consignee they will add the 2 together.
Have a read here http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=5549#e987
The $250 limit from DHL Fedx etc is correct plus they add 5% duty ( on the goods purchase price) and a customs clearence fee of $50 and and GST on top of everything including postage and insurance. The $50 customs clearance fee is added to items brought in by post if for any reason the customs decide the value is over $1000.
You can do the customs clearance yourself but you need to pretty conversant with Govt Department forms and procedures
There are a few examples at the bottom of the page of the above link
I have brought several lenses my 20D and heaps of icehockey gear for my son over the last 2 years. It seems around Xmas is a good time to have gear sent over as they seem to be run off their feet and seem to push things through over these values
Edited by hydrotoast on May 07, 2006 at 10:49 AM GMT
B&H (70-200 is ~AU$760 in the US as opposed to ~AU1200 here, and it still has a worldwide warranty).
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Does this include postage I have just looked at B&H their price is $585 plus postage via USPS at $53.50 = $638USD or $826AUD (with little or no insurance)> UPS service is cheaper but then you are back to the $250 limit before customs charges hit in.
As far as I know canon does service (warrant) their lenses from any country but not cameras. If you buy a canon imported lens in the USA and then bring it to Australia it then becomes a grey imported lens in Australia so if you do get one from the States it does not matter if it was a grey import there in the first place, confusing.
I hope I have not confused you too much just want to put as much info in front of you so as to help with your decision.
Another thing I would not put too much into the fact anything comes with a Mack warranty. From what i understand it is more just a peice of paper that says Mack Warranty than anything else. It is like a life warranty on a lot of things.
My 21st is coming up at the end of the month (31st May) and I am lucky enough that my parents offered to give me some decent kit as a present. I think I am ready to place my order at B&H (70-200 is ~AU$760 in the US as opposed to ~AU1200 here, and it still has a worldwide warranty). After a lot of thought about which lens to get (between the 70-200F4, 17-40F4, EF-S10-22, 85F1.8, or 100mm Macro) I finally decided on the 70-200, with a 500D close-up lens to still allow me to get a taste of macro.
It gets quite confusing trying to decide between all the different choices for filters and such though - I have gotten rather conflicting advice!
Seeing as you guys are both knowledgeable and helpful, I figured I would run my list past you before I went ahead and placed the order. Does this look ok, or would you suggest I change something?
-Canon USA Zoom Telephoto EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM
-Mack 7-Year Warranty for Lens
-Hoya 67mm Haze UV(0) (S-HMC)
-Canon 77mm 500D Close-up Lens
-B+W 67mm to 77mm Step-Up Ring
-B+W 67mm Circular Polarizer (MRC)
-General Brand 58mm-67mm Step-Up Ring (To use CPL on my kit lens)
-General Brand 52mm-67mm Step-Up Ring (To use CPL on my 50/1.8)
Total including shipping comes to about US$990, or about AU$1,280, which is only a shy more than I would pay for the lens alone here anyway!
Please let me know your thoughts - I guess I am just looking for some reassurance because other than buying my camera, this is my largest purchase to date...
Don't skimp on a UV or CPL filter. Personally I'd live without a UV(0) if I could put those dollars into a better CPL, and I agree with Ed re step-up rings, and you know Ed has a lot of gear :-)
Nice shot Teon vrey nice and shows what you can get if your patient eh.
I've managed to get a few nice ones by feeding them and just sitting and allowing them to become comfortable with me sitting there playing with equipment,
Thanks guys - I wasn't actually trying to get a photo of him - I was taking a landscape at my uni (crouched down on one knee) when he just hopped right up to me. He got as close as a meter away so even with the 50mm attached I was able to fill enough of the frame - just lucky
In the end I wasn't happy with the landscape shot anyway, so I am glad I got this one!
TeonHarasymiv wrote:
ok - thanks for all the advice guys - although I think I am even more confused now
So I should go with USPS instead of UPS even though it is a little more expensive because I will not have to pay import duties? is this correct?
Correct USPS (United States Postal Service ) even though the postal costs are more the overall cost will be cheaper as no duties or tax
On the other hand If you go with UPS and pay duties it will cost more than purchasing from
www.d-d-photograhics.com.au
hydrotoast wrote:
Correct USPS (United States Postal Service ) even though the postal costs are more the overall cost will be cheaper as no duties or tax
On the other hand If you go with UPS and pay duties it will cost more than purchasing from
www.d-d-photograhics.com.au
BTW nice capture of the bird
Ok - thanks for all the advice. I think I know all I need to now
wow pretty colourful shot Ed... unfortunately i missed it...
Like that bird shot with your 50mm Teon
yeah, the 70-200 f4L is a serious start of a one-way L journey... the first thing you should do is to save up for your next L lens (Ed, the L-addict, understands). However, you and your photos will love it...enjoy
Interesting effect Smelly - I would have just assumed it was daylight!
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On another note, I have just ordered my 70-200F4
I also decided that I would not get the 500D close up lens or the kenko tubes... because I figured for the extra $200 I might as well get the EF-S 60mm Macro. By all reports it is a very sharp lens, and after looking at hundreds of photos taken with it I can see it can produce some wonderful images.
I haven't ordered the 60mm yet because I am going to get a friend to order it under his name to get past the >$1000 import limit - hopefully tomorrow.
Anyway, I won't actually have these lenses in hand until the 31st of may because they are a 21st present from my parents, and I need to wait for my birthday - but I am very exited to say the least - for the last 9 months I have been shooting 90% of my photos with only the 50mm focal length - it will be nice to experiment with some variation.
