Has anyone purchased photo gear on ebay via Hong Kong?

Aloha,

Found some stuff I'd like to pick up on Ebay, but it's coming from Hong kong and ebay is warning me that there might be import costs associated with it. Has anyone ever been through this? Any information would be appreciated. It save me a couple hundred bucks but if there are large surprises to be found then I'll skip it.

Thanks!

Lyle

Take heed from eBay seriously! I got taken once on a purchase from China/HK. It was about $40 purchase. The seller notified me that the shipping may take 4-6 weeks to arrive. By the time the shipping period was over and received no product, I contacted both the seller and later eBay. From eBay, I found out that the seller was banned and it was too late for me to go through the resolution process (over 45 days from purchase date). EBay only advice to me was to report it to the Federal Trade Commission. From then on, I woudn't purchase any item from China or any other country again that I couldn't afford to lose.

There are some crooks out there. If you're in doubt, don't do it.

I've bought close to 4 grand of stuff from hong kong/China/Japan.

Never been hit with import duties.

Shipping does take some time but in some cases its came in 6 days or less, one time I had something in 3 days from Japan!

The normal time is 2-4 weeks. Never had anything take longer or get lost.

Decades ago, a guy named Lindsay Wu in Hong Kong would send me Nikons to general delivery at the main post office in Windsor, Ontario. I would pick them up, pay Canadian duty, & then import them into Detroit as personal property.
The Detroit customs would provide a form which I would send to Canadian customs, who would refund the import duty, minus about 2% (I think).
The process was relatively painless, & once he even sent an extra Nikon & said I could pay when it was convenient for me. Try that today!
But to buy something today from eBay? I wouldn't unless I used https://escrow.com/ & even they aren't perfect. Look at this:
http://experienced-people.net …1472-Escrow-com-Run-Away-!

I bought a Tamron 90mm F2.8(Canon) and received it without any issues. The lens was brand new, shipping was included. i have also bought other things for my business from HK and so far no complaints.

I've purchased tons of stuff on eBay from China/HK without issue. The sellers are usually very savvy to concerns of international buyers and prepare customs declarations accordingly. There is ample protection built into the eBay/PayPal model but if you are really concerned you can fund the purchase with you credit card for a redundant layer of security.

A few years ago on two separate occasions I purchased a wireless remote from China through EBAY. Shipping was about equal to the price of the remotes and took 5 or 6 weeks to reach me. The first remote was stolen and I lost the second so when I bought the third one I got it from B&H. The cost was about the same but I had the remote in less than a week. I don't look on EBAY anymore.

I've bought things from HK no problem. Customs invoice was for basically nothing too, so no problems there. Triggers, wireless triggers, macro rail, things like that. Never anything expensive, but if a seller has a lot of good reviews, you are most likely fine.

And I guess, if it doesn't show up in what ever the 45 day or so window is, file a claim with e-bay. But generally, sellers with good reputation are good. Just make sure they don't only have a handful of reviews from their relatives

Yes, bought several items from China and Hong Kong. Saved a lot, great quality. Shipping takes a long time (but is free).

The most recent was a 1000X ND filter for around $US13 shipping included, direct from xcsource. It took about 3 weeks to arrive. Top quality item.

There are some reputable sellers, so check for feedback and such. thephotogadget that sells the youngnou stuff comes to mind, bought from them several times. I've purchased from others as well, but I make sure I'm selecting sellers with the best feedback ratings.