ebay seller from Hong Kong and import fees

I'm thinking about buying a new camera from an HK based retailer on ebay. The ad has the typical warning that any import fees are responsibility of buyer. I'm under the impression that in the US I will not pay any fees. Can anyone validate that?

Thanks.

I've always been curious about this as well. Some seemingly good deals are advertised to be had for certain, but that little fine print disclaimer about import/duty taxes has proven to be enough to scare me away. I'm all ears...

check out the Tariff Schedule from 2012. Per page 9 it's 20% duty on cameras. http://www.usitc.gov …hts/bychapter/1​202c90.pdf

Still hoping to get some feedback from folks here who have made these kinds of purchases.

Thanks.

i've bought from metabones from HK few times and have no issue UNTIL few weeks ago. Fedex send me $25 invoice for custom fee.

Kiwimochi wrote in post #17172097
i've bought from metabones from HK few times and have no issue UNTIL few weeks ago. Fedex send me $25 invoice for custom fee.

Thanks. That looks like 20% on a speedbooster.

There should be no duty on cameras from Hong Kong. See
http://www.dutycalcula​tor.com …duty-and-tax-calculation/

You might have to pay local sales tax.

mpix345 wrote in post #17172048
check out the Tariff Schedule from 2012. Per page 9 it's 20% duty on cameras. http://www.usitc.gov …hts/bychapter/1​202c90.pdf

Still hoping to get some feedback from folks here who have made these kinds of purchases.

Thanks.

Holy cr@p, I thought the UK duty rates were complicated but it is nothing on that. I am not sure you were looking in the right place though. In note 1h at the start, under "this chapter does not cover" it includes "Cameras, digital cameras and video camera recorders (heading 8525)", which suggests they are in chapter 85 not chapter 90.

My experience is from a UK perspective, so not entirely relevant, however I have found that more often than not stuff gets through without being charged, as customs don't have the manpower to check every package so it can be a lottery.

Of course, legally, we are supposed to then toddle along to Her Majesty's Robbers & Cutthroats (I think that is what HMRC stands for) and inform them that they forgot to charge us and make a payment. I suspect that not everybody does this.

From my experience of selling stuff to the US, I think the same gamble applies as to whether you get charged.

Kiwimochi wrote in post #17172097
i've bought from metabones from HK few times and have no issue UNTIL few weeks ago. Fedex send me $25 invoice for custom fee.

UPS and Fedex and such are notorious for arbitrarily imposing a customs brokerage fee. That is not the same as duty! You can refuse to pay the fee (but the carrier will hold your stuff for ransom).

Have it sent by mail to avoid this.

thanks for the info everybody!

I used to travel to HK twicw a month, and I would often bring back gear I'd buy. Always filled out the duty paperwork, never got charged anything.

Archibald wrote in post #17172126
UPS and Fedex and such are notorious for arbitrarily imposing a customs brokerage fee. That is not the same as duty! You can refuse to pay the fee (but the carrier will hold your stuff for ransom).

Have it sent by mail to avoid this.

the adapter already delivered. They send the invoice like a week later. Should i just ignore it?

Kiwimochi wrote in post #17172261
the adapter already delivered. They send the invoice like a week later. Should i just ignore it?

If you did not agree to the charge, then (IMO) you should not pay it.

i picked up a eos-m 55-200 lens from a vendor in HK. super quick shipping thru dhl, i go tit in two days. i was dinged with an import customs fee of $16 after a month or so from dhl, for a $430 lens. not bad but i could have gotten it with the fees buying from vancouver but who knows when they would get stock.

I got an ebay import from Sweden for $1300 and was not charged a fee, though they wrote gift or something like that on the form.

Use EMS/Post office service will be normally fine, if you use UPS or Fedex you may need to prepay the brokerage fee.