International Shipping help?

[marathon]

I've been checking camera equipment prices on amazon.com and B&H and it looks like there are so many good deals that can only be found in the US (especially when you convert that price into UK pounds or Euros).

Since there's a huge price gap overseas, I was thinking of buying lenses online then having them shipped to my cousin in California. Then he could send me the lenses through a courier service. From my calculations on the current exchange rate, I still save a lot of money even if I pay for shipping.

Does anyone have any experience shipping from the US to overseas? I know that customs tax varies from country to country, so that's out of our control. Can anyone suggest a good reliable courier service (DHL, UPS, USPS, FedEx, etc) that they've used to ship stuff overseas?

Also, if I order it directly from an online store (eg, amazon.com, B&H.) and they ship it to me, I'm pretty sure that customs will tax it. But if my cousin were to ship it to me and label it as a gift, would that still get taxed?

[cdifoto]

You're in Italy. You'll want to watch because your own Customs Offices are a real bear to get things through. They not only have strong restrictions, but they're slower than crap. Prepare to wait.

[wannasmaxx]

I regularly ship internationally(keeping in mind I ship from the UK) As long it is packed sufficiently well and the customs value is less that £50 and marked as a gift, you will be fine. Use ups..

[marathon]

thanks for the responses. yep, italian customs can take a while...

UPS is a good courier? here at the office we use TNT and they're horrible. we're trying to switch over to DHL.

[cdifoto]

No, do not use UPS. Unless, of course, you want to get hit with INSANE brokerage fees on top of the postage. I'm talking more $$ than Customs fees. UPS and FedEx are terrible about that.

[wannasmaxx]

No, do not use UPS. Unless, of course, you want to get hit with INSANE brokerage fees on top of the postage. I'm talking more $$ than Customs fees. UPS and FedEx are terrible about that.
Never had a problem here

[cdifoto]

Never had a problem here

Perhaps they hit Canadians moreso than elsewhere. I've heard they're crazy in Canada, to the point of holding packages ransom. *shrug*

Can't speak from experience though, being in the USA.

[Karl C]

For International shipments, use only FedEx or UPS. USPS International won't track packages once they leave the US. My preference would be FedEx.

Be careful with shipping a lens and listing it as a "gift". If, for whatever reason, the package is lost and the listed Declared Value is minimal, as to avoid duty and fees, it could be a substantial financial loss for you.

[wannasmaxx]

UPS and fexex only automatically insure for a nominal amount anyway... So if you shiopped it uninsured, and it was lost, you wouldn't be getting much back anyway
If you fill out the commercial invoice for $100, but insure it for 1000, customs will be none the wiser. However, I recommend being honest with customs at all costs.

[marathon]

if it's listed as a gift, but the correct value is declared, and it's insured for the right amount (for example, a 10-22mm declared as $700 gift and insured for the same amount) i guess it would still be susceptible to customs charges.

i suppose the question now is, which is the most reliable courier(complete with tracking, insurance, etc)?

[wannasmaxx]

most of the major couriours are pretty good. Fedex and DHL cost more in my experience. insurance on UPS will be 1% of the unit value and taxes will probably be whatever it is in italy. you can say its a gift, but in my experience Italian customs willl still charge you whatever they can. Why not buy from China? www.onestop-digital.com will have pretty competitive prices with the US but will still be covered internationally. They also guarantee to reimburse you for customs... sounds pretty good to me..
here we go.... about $40 more than us retail.
http://www.onestop-digital.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=32

Edit... more like $100... but still cheaper than shipping and taxes

[marathon]

hmm... that onestop digital doesn't look bad... and there's a lot of good feedback from other members on the board. thanks for the help :)

[wannasmaxx]

my pleasure
hmm... that onestop digital doesn't look bad... and there's a lot of good feedback from other members on the board. thanks for the help :)