Customs Charges and Vat for the UK.

This is mainly for our UK members, but others may find it interesting.

I refuse point blank to pay UK prices for Nikon equipment and consequently I receive a lot of equipment from The States, Hong Kong and occassionally Canada.

A recent purchase from Adorama in N.York made me question the customs charges they had passed on.,( Typical bl**dy Accountant ), I learnt some very very interesting facts about UK Customs Charges.

1. Digital Cameras have NO IMPORT DUTY attached to them. So you only pay VAT of 17.5% on the total of the item + the Carriage Charge.
2. SLR Cameras have a Imp. Duty of 4.2% levied on the value of the item. This is added to the total value of the invoice and Vat charged on this total.
3 Lenses have an Imp. Duty of 6.7%. Calculate as above.
4 Camera parts, ie. Bellows-Tubes-Lens Hoods have a Imp. Duty of 3.7%

It now gets better. The UK C.& Exc. are calculating at a $ to £ exc. rate of 1.96 for the month of May, so those of you in the UK who may want an item from abroad can use these figures to calculate the price of the item and compare it with the UK price.

One final charge. UPS and Fedex charge approx £11 and Parcel Force charge £17.50 for their administration costs.

I hope that this helps those of you in the UK who are thinking of importind and item.

BW. Bob F

 

Thanks a lot for that Todd. You USAF guys have all the lusk. Are you at Lakenheath?
In the 70/80's I used to live near what was USAF Upper Heyford, Oxon (F1-11's) and actually got to see your on base shopping facilties. Made my eyes water!!
I hope that you have enjoyed your sojurn in the UK.

BW. Bob F.