Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/12/29
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>I certainly agree that sending EMS to the US is best. The sender (dealer) >has the responsibility of preparing the customs declaration. I always state >to the dealer that the equipment is for my personal use. I have always had >the price I paid declared (else you cannot have it insured for the real >value). Custom clearance has been 18 - 24 hours. Values have typically >been over $500. I have never been charged duty. I wouldn't consider using >one of the private express services if EMS is available. >Regards, Bill I have imported an M6 TTL, and later a 35mm f2 Summicron, both from Dr Yao in Hong Kong. If you check the US customs web site they have a section which will let you look up the duty rates for guidance purposes. Camera bodies imported from Normal Trading Relationship countries (which is just about anywhere you are likely to be importing from) have a duty rate of 0%. Lenses, however, are chargable. I don't recall the percentage but it's not high - from memory it's about 3%. One reason to consider the private shipping services is that they hand walk the item through customs & this can save quite a bit of time. Based on having sent the body by express mail, and the lens by Fedex, it made a 2 day difference. This may or may not be important depending on your patience level. Simon Stevens