raynox dcr-1540

[Sibling Chris]

anyone know where I can get my mits on one of these in the UK?

cheers

Chris

[Sibling Chris]

on the other hand can anyone give me any details on dealing with lensmate or other US based e-tailers...info on shipping, taxes and stuff

I know lensmate quote shipping costs but I'm not sure if there would be import taxes or the like or where to find that info out.



thanks in advance:-)

[Sintares]

Umm, well lets see.

Actual price + import duty + vat + shipping cost + RM/other handling fee

Import duty (camera lens) 6.7%

Vat 17.5 %

Royal Mail fee for handling the itemnot sure £5-£10 ?? Other companies ??

Not that you will always get charged though.

Workmate bought a battery/grip for his D200 from Singapore (~ £120) and was never charged for it.

Some dubious companies and sellers on ebay will offer to mark it as a "gift", which as HM Customs points out means you get into trouble if caught (fined..) plus the item may beconfiscated.

B&H would ship you the Raynox dcr-1540pro for $ 129.95 + Shipping Cost To ENGLAND (U.K.)

Shipping Method Shipping Cost
US Mail - Airmail Parcel Post
10-14 Days Delivery $27.50


US Mail - Global Express Mail
5-7 Days Delivery $37.50


UPS Express
3-5 Business Days Delivery $36.00


FedEx Priority
3-5 Business Day Delivery $76.00

129.95 + 6.7% =138.65 + 17.5 % = 162.92 + shipping 27.50 + any fees.. ~ $190

I notice Jessops stock the dcr-1850 and the dcr-2020pro..

[Sibling Chris]

it was the import duty I was unsure of and how I would be charged by customs

you mention 6.7% presumably this can only be charged at the point it comes through customs, but how does that happen and how would I find myself charged for it?

I heard there was a limit, so on small value items there is no import tax. I don't know what that limit is though. I think all in all I'd only be looking at about 120GBP

I suppose I could just contact the e-tailer and ask about their experiences but I'm guessing its the custiomer who is liable for the import tax so they won;t be able to help.



btw raynox tcs that jessops stock are not suitable for my camera a canon s3

cheers:O

[Sintares]

The last time I was charged by customs I got a note from Royal Mail through the door with a tick beside, customs charge due.

I just went to the local office and paid the customs and the RM handling fee, got the item, took all of 3 mins..

I assume if the package is delivered by other people, couriers, or parcelforce etc they would be the same.

I just checkedthe HM Revenue and Customs website, you only pay customs duty if the duty is £7 or greater so the lens should be duty free, however the lens is valued >£18 so vat is payable.

Then again you have a good change of avoiding charges ..

I know HM Ccustoms have claimed to have beefed up the inspection and charging of items especially when I comes through RM and parcelforce, but the number of times I have heard of people getting cameras and other high value items through without a penny to pay is incredible.

[Sibling Chris]

cheers and thanks for the info:-)

[Ozzyoz]

I,ve got a wide angle Raynox lens on order from www.shopping4cameras.com.

They don,t list the dcr1540 but perhaps would get it for you?

[Sibling Chris]

thanks - are they the same company as cameras2u ?

both those sites come up a lot from pricegrabber and the like, but the pages always look pretty much identical.

will drop them an e-mail and see what they say.....I still thinking shipping from US will get me the best deal.

[Sibling Chris]

contacted shoppnig4cameras they don't do the raynox dcr-1540 and didn't offer to get hold of one either even though I asked if they could.

[Sibling Chris]

ok well I took th eplunge finally after deliberating over different tc and e-tailers!

I ordered from lensmateonline.com

a 52mm adapter

lenscap & hood

UV & polarizer filter

Raynox DCR-1540 teleconverter

which incl. shipping came to a grand total of 209.70 Us dollars. Which is about 110 quid. I think that's a pretty good deal and even if I do pay import tax and VAT, that's still only about 138 quid



cheers for the opinions all, will post experiences later when I get the stuff if anyone is interested.:G