Travel Technology - Buying products overseas and having them shipped

I'm looking for a new camera and it's more expensive in Japan (where it's made, and where I'll be soon) than here in Holland. But it's even cheaper in the US (in fact most cameras I've looked at appear to be). This also applies to other consumer electronics sometimes, I've noticed.

Many companies will ship products overseas (check the shipping costs, they can be a killer) but what is the customs/tax/vat-gst situation? How do you find out and do people here go the official way or take the risk of just having it sent? Experiences?

Also, is there any difference between a company sending it to you and a private person sending it as a gift?

Thanks for any light you can shed on this.

I'd have a look on canadian website - which is even more interesting than US for the prize. problem is that for some products - and I fear cameras are - there a restrictions on sale. means, that they only can be sold in the country. for other stuff it works just fine with expedited shipping (FedEx or DHL, ...) since they pay tax and customs for you and send you the bill later. ;) this can hurt sometimes. so for example here in France, VAT is 19,6% in Germany only 16% - i am happy to have a german mail adress.

best for canada is to take a cheap flight, shop there and even get the tax being paid back. and on arrival at customs... didn't you have the camera prior to departure? ;)

best for canada is to take a cheap flight, shop there and even get the tax being paid back. and on arrival at customs... didn't you have the camera prior to departure? ;)
Oh yeah! :D

I believe that you have to pay the VAT on your end.

Deal with a reputable company like B&H Photo and you should be fine.

They (and most discount camera places) offer 'grey market' goods slightly cheaper than normal goods. But they offer both. B&H Photo will clearly tell you on the web page if it's a grey market item, and whenever I've looked, you couild choose the grey market item vs the normal item. The difference is that the 'grey market' goods don't carry the manufacturers US warranty, and you have to send it to the shop where you bought it for warranty service. I'm not sure how that affects you since you're in Europe, but I would check into it. I'm sure you probably don't want to have to send the goods back to the US for warranty service, and frankly I have no idea if the US warranty works in the EU or not. If you're willing to phone them, I'm sure a camera specialist at B&H will be able to tell you.

www.bhphotovideo.com


-David

Thanks people.

How about if a friend buys it for you and then (it's then second-hand isn't it?) sends it to you, without the packaging material, as a personal gift? Does that affect VAT issues?

Thanks people.

How about if a friend buys it for you and then (it's then second-hand isn't it?) sends it to you, without the packaging material, as a personal gift? Does that affect VAT issues?

I've brought loads of stuff back to my own fiefdom many times, your plan is certainly possible, but at least make it LOOK a little used...