Buying gear from other countries

[Sebastian_F]

I've been avoiding buying from overseas sellers because the import costs would (I assumed) be prohibitive. But I badly needed a new bellows for a Tachihara 4x5 so I went surfing the 'bay, ready to bite the bullet and pay whatever it cost. I found what I was looking for from a Hong Kong seller I've dealt with before. To my surprise, the cost was actually less than I've paid in the not-too-distant past and I didn't need to pay any surcharges at the point of delivery. Emboldened by that experience, I went looking for a backup Rollei 35 for an upcoming trip and found a really nice condition example from a Japanese seller that, again, was less expensive than most of the equivalent ones available from US sellers. The duty was prepaid and shipment was via speedpak. The package arrived from Japan to New Jersey in two days; I've had quick shipments from Japan for many years--on the order of 3 or 4 days--but never as quick as this. I'm wondering what others here have experienced regarding international purchases, and whether there are work-arounds (as buyers or sellers) people have found to ease the pain.

You weren't charged any tariff or import fees? I'm also In NJ and about to order something from Japan

 

[Arthurwg]

I want something from Taiwan. The manufacturer told me a few months ago that the tariff would be 37% plus a $4.00 fee. Even though it's a relatively inexpensive item I held off, just on principle. Perhaps now that will be reduced to 15% plus fee?

 

[Sebastian_F]

I want something from Taiwan. The manufacturer told me a few months ago that the tariff would be 37% plus a $4.00 fee. Even though it's a relatively inexpensive item I held off, just on principle. Perhaps now that will be reduced to 15% plus fee?

37% is ridiculous. I definitely would've held off as well.

 

[Tel]

You weren't charged any tariff or import fees? I'm also In NJ and about to order something from Japan

The purchase price of the camera was $199, pretty much in line with a domestic purchase price, especially since it has a working meter. Shipping was a tad pricey comparatively at $55, but considering the distance and the speed it was delivered I figure was reasonable. I suppose the shipping charges may have included duties and such, but it wasn't enough to make me decide not to buy the camera..There was also a sales tax of $16 which I assume was paid by ebay to New Jersey.

 

[Tel]

We were in NYC during a minor snow mess, maybe 12 inches. What a mess! Hopefully the current storm is kind.
Best Regards Mike

We got about 18 inches here last night (central NJ) and it shut everything down. I grew up in Colorado, so I just brought some firewood inside and hunkered down.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

We got about 18 inches here last night (central NJ) and it shut everything down. I grew up in Colorado, so I just brought some firewood inside and hunkered down.

I;m in central NJ and that;s about what we got. I just got through cleaning off the air vents on my natural gas-fired electric generator in case we lose power. The snow covered all the vents from bottom to top on both sides.

 

[mshchem]

We got about 18 inches here last night (central NJ) and it shut everything down. I grew up in Colorado, so I just brought some firewood inside and hunkered down.

Hopefully no avalanches in Jersey! Be safe.!

 

[mshchem]

I;m in central NJ and that;s about what we got. I just got through cleaning off the air vents on my natural gas-fired electric generator in case we lose power. The snow covered all the vents from bottom to top on both sides.

Take care of yourself!!! Good to have a generator!

 

[retina_restoration]

I will no longer buy equipment or supplies from outside the USA. Period. In the end, all these tariffs do is punish the consumer.

 

[mshchem]

I will no longer buy equipment or supplies from outside the USA. Period. In the end, all these tariffs do is punish the consumer.

Pretty difficult to only buy "American". Everything is made with global materials. I have been shooting Kentmere 200, bought from B&H.

 

[GregY]

I will no longer buy equipment or supplies from outside the USA. Period. In the end, all these tariffs do is punish the consumer.

I guess you're not buying enlarging paper.....

 

[mshchem]

I guess you're not buying enlarging paper.....

To be honest, I have enough paper to last years. Of course that doesn't stop me from buying more. I want it to be around down the road. I buy a few things from Fotoimpex, reasonable prices on most things and a cool outfit.

 

[retina_restoration]

Pretty difficult to only buy "American". Everything is made with global materials. I have been shooting Kentmere 200, bought from B&H.

Sorry, what I meant was that I no longer IMPORT equipment and materials from abroad. If someone has already imported materials (film, paper) to B&H or Blue Moon, I will buy from them. But I won't buy lenses, cameras, or other darkroom equipment from outside the US.

I have quite a cache of film and paper now, having loaded up over the past five years, since I could see the writing on the wall: Ilford materials would eventually exceed my budget, and that time has come, unfortunately. My cutoff price was $10 per sheet of 8x10 FP4+ and it's now more than that. Even 120 rolls of FP4+ and Delta 400 — two of my mainstay films — are now more expensive than I am willing to afford. Fortunately Kodak is less expensive now than Ilford, except when it comes to sheet films, of course.
Fortunately, I probably won't need to buy film for at least another 5 years.

 

[mshchem]

Sorry, what I meant was that I no longer IMPORT equipment and materials from abroad. If someone has already imported materials (film, paper) to B&H or Blue Moon, I will buy from them. But I won't buy lenses, cameras, or other darkroom equipment from outside the US.

I have quite a cache of film and paper now, having loaded up over the past five years, since I could see the writing on the wall: Ilford materials would eventually exceed my budget, and that time has come, unfortunately. My cutoff price was $10 per sheet of 8x10 FP4+ and it's now more than that. Even 120 rolls of FP4+ and Delta 400 — two of my mainstay films — are now more expensive than I am willing to afford. Fortunately Kodak is less expensive now than Ilford, except when it comes to sheet films, of course.
Fortunately, I probably won't need to buy film for at least another 5 years.

I hear you! Sheet film is rapidly approaching unobtainable for me. I wonder how much the market has shrunk? It's got to be almost nonexistent.
I buy an absolutely unnecessary, something I'll not use, Nikon F now and then, from Japan, but only from a big dealer, no surprises.

 

[loccdor]

New data point...

I bought $96 of film from Spain August 31st of last year. FedEx this morning (nearly 7 months later) just texted me a bill for 15% tariff plus a $4.50 fee.

According to the current state of the law now, I don't think I have to pay it. Interesting that they haven't stopped their system from sending these out yet.

 

[loccdor]

You weren't charged any tariff or import fees? I'm also In NJ and about to order something from Japan

Prepaid means the tariff and import fees are hidden in the total cost of shipping the seller has put on the listing. Most listings from Japan to USA on eBay in the last couple months have been set up this way.

 

[Tel]

Hopefully no avalanches in Jersey! Be safe.!

No mountains--no avalanches! (I grew up in the shadow of the Rockies.) Biggest risk here was terminal boredom, but I did get out before the plows came with my Autocord to shoot some snow scenes; that always keeps me sane.

 

[Tel]

New data point...

I bought $96 of film from Spain August 31st of last year. FedEx this morning (nearly 7 months later) just texted me a bill for 15% tariff plus a $4.50 fee.

UPS has been doing this for years--they used to call it a 'brokerage' fee--on cross-border shipments to/from Canada. Postal service delivered without any additional fee. Ebay's speedpak shipment service seems to either avoid or reduce the shipping companies' extra fees. The shipper of record is Orange Connex but it's been either Fedex or DHL who arrived at my door.

 

[loccdor]

The shipper of record is Orange Connex but it's been either Fedex or DHL who arrived at my door.

Yes, the shipper for this was Correos (Spanish postal service).

 

[BrianShaw]

New data point...

I bought $96 of film from Spain August 31st of last year. FedEx this morning (nearly 7 months later) just texted me a bill for 15% tariff plus a $4.50 fee.

According to the current state of the law now, I don't think I have to pay it. Interesting that they haven't stopped their system from sending these out yet.

It’s interesting that the bill via text. Especially considering the large number of scammers who do that.

 

[loccdor]

It’s interesting that the bill via text. Especially considering the large number of scammers who do that.

The text is a hyperlink to the FedEx website, they also start sending you monthly paper bills if you don't pay. The website says you have 4 days to pay.

 

[djdister]

It’s interesting that the bill via text. Especially considering the large number of scammers who do that.

UPS has sent me emails about customs and brokerage fees due, but that presumes they have my email on file or it was part of the transaction.

 

[retina_restoration]

The text is a hyperlink to the FedEx website, they also start sending you monthly paper bills if you don't pay. The website says you have 4 days to pay.

I'd be making damn sure that's not just a scam before I clicked on that link. That's such a common way of scamming people to pay. Are you absolutely certain the link took you to a FedEx site, with https?

 

[loccdor]

I'd be making damn sure that's not just a scam before I clicked on that link. That's such a common way of scamming people to pay. Are you absolutely certain the link took you to a FedEx site, with https?

It's an opt-in thing that I was invited to when I made my first tariffed FedEx order in September. Looks like this and always comes from the same number. Yes, it's legit. I paid other tariff charges on this same text thread.

 

[retina_restoration]

It's an opt-in thing that I was invited to when I made my first tariffed FedEx order in September. Looks like this and always comes from the same number. Yes, it's legit. I paid other tariff charges on this same text thread.

View attachment 418917

Very good. I just wanted to know that you were not being scammed, as this is now a common practice, sending out SMS invites to click on a link.