Customs Charges on International Export of Camera for repair

Ardpatrick · Oct 25, 2023

I'm based in Ireland. I have a well used Mamiya 7, plus four lenses that I intend to ship to Precision camerawork in the US for door /body / rangefinder repairs and lens calibration. Despite the heavy wear and tear, the camera plus lenses is still worth €5000 or more on the used market, as is. I'm trying to figure out how to ship the gear both ways without being hit for VAT / Customs charges on the full value of the equipment, potentially in both directions. I don't mind paying the duties on the value of the repair work itself. But previous costly experiences thought me that I always declare the full value of equipment for insurance / declaration purposes (thanks Fedex for that lesson).

Does anyone have experience on this? My sense is that the DHL / Fedex agent won't be particularly helpful but maybe I'm wrong.

Thanks for any advice.

koraks · Oct 25, 2023

I'd get in touch with your customs office as well as that in the US. And also with FedEx on how to properly mark items that are shipped without changing ownership.

Pieter12 · Oct 25, 2023

When I have sent equipment for repair to the EU, I have always had the repair facility (in my case, the respective manufacturers) either deal with the shipping or at least send me the proper paperwork already filled out. Of course, you will be shipping to the US and they may not have much experience dealing with foreign transactions. But you could try contacting them.

_T_ · Oct 25, 2023

I see that there are quite a lot of camera repair shops in Ireland, is it not possible that one of them would be able to repair your equipment?

Pieter12 · Oct 25, 2023

_T_ said:
I see that there are quite a lot of camera repair shops in Ireland, is it not possible that one of them would be able to repair your equipment?

Plus, Precision seems pretty booked up (like most good shops) right now. Have you asked about the turnaround time?

btaylor · Oct 25, 2023

You might take a look at Precision Camera Works reputation here on Photrio before you send off your gear, I believe there is at least one thread. My experience with Bob Watkins was not satisfactory and I’m not the only one.
I don’t mean to say you shouldn’t use him, but you should be aware.
If you’re sending your gear to him I would think he likely has some experience with the duty and tariff issues.

Ardpatrick · Oct 26, 2023

Thanks for the tips and advice. I am aware that sending gear off anywhere, to anyone, carries inherent risks. I've lost expensive equipment in shipping before, and had hit and miss repair experiences too (mostly with computers). But I appreciate the caution.

Ireland isn't really an option. There just aren't people doing repair work anymore, and with more specialised equipment like a 25 year old camera, the odds diminish incrementally. I looked around Germany where I have connections, and the UK, and there are some options. Precision camera works have Mamiya 7 parts, and regularly work on these exact cameras, and that seems like a winning argument vis the alternatives, allowing for the risks wherever I send it.

I spoke to DHL yesterday and they basically told me to include documents providing a clear narrative of what I was shipping, and why. And that on return the shipper should include the original shipping documentation to evidence the origin of the repair. I think it comes down to the customs agent on duty to some degree - I bet they evaluate these things in a matter of seconds and somewhat imprecisely.

foc · Oct 26, 2023

If you are sending a camera for repair in the EU, then there should be no customs charges as your transaction is inter EU.

See the Revenue details here: Irish Revenue guidelines

Try this calculator; https://www.simplyduty.com/import-calculator/

Regarding Vat, if you pay it in another EU country, when purchasing the repair, then there is no Vat charged on entry to Ireland.

If your repair is outside the EU, did you check the cost of shipping by An Post? I know their customs and Vat handling charges are less than DHL etc.

Ardpatrick · Oct 26, 2023

Thanks foc. Great and highly relevant advice. I've paused on shipping on the back of comments above. I've read the other threads on Precision Camerawrorks, which are everything from totally negative to loyally positive. Useful. I may try again to find someone in Germany - within the EU. I'll do a bit more research an for future users, I'll post the outcome in time.

Ballinderry-Michael · Oct 26, 2023

Ardpatrick, if you do find a UK repairer and if further there are likely to be unwanted extras in the cost, you'd be very welcome to get the set to me in the north and operate care of my address. Unlikely but it is an option.

Philippe-Georges · Oct 26, 2023

Ardpatrick said:
Thanks for the tips and advice. I am aware that sending gear off anywhere, to anyone, carries inherent risks. I've lost expensive equipment in shipping before, and had hit and miss repair experiences too (mostly with computers). But I appreciate the caution.

Ireland isn't really an option. There just aren't people doing repair work anymore, and with more specialised equipment like a 25 year old camera, the odds diminish incrementally. I looked around Germany where I have connections, and the UK, and there are some options. Precision camera works have Mamiya 7 parts, and regularly work on these exact cameras, and that seems like a winning argument vis the alternatives, allowing for the risks wherever I send it.

I spoke to DHL yesterday and they basically told me to include documents providing a clear narrative of what I was shipping, and why. And that on return the shipper should include the original shipping documentation to evidence the origin of the repair. I think it comes down to the customs agent on duty to some degree - I bet they evaluate these things in a matter of seconds and somewhat imprecisely.

Have a look at some German camera repair shops, these are, just like Ireland, member of the EEC and then there are no customs involved (and cheaper shipping).

This is one: https://www.arluewa.de/cms/en/

Ardpatrick · Oct 26, 2023

Ballinderry-Michael said:
Ardpatrick, if you do find a UK repairer and if further there are likely to be unwanted extras in the cost, you'd be very welcome to get the set to me in the north and operate care of my address. Unlikely but it is an option.

Thanks Michael. Very decent of you. I have a good friend in Belfast - a cinematographer, who helps out like that. But I appreciate the offer.

Ardpatrick · Oct 26, 2023

Philippe-Georges said:
Have a look at some German camera repair shops, these are, just like Ireland, member of the EEC and then there are no customs involved (and cheaper shipping).

This is one: https://www.arluewa.de/cms/en/

Thank you Philippe-Georges. Very helpful link. I also got the following recommendation for a guy in Berlin:

Kamera-Service-Ostkreuz - Spezialist aller Praktica- und Pentacon-Erzeugnisse in Berlin

www.kameraservice-ostkreuz.de

Ballinderry-Michael · Oct 26, 2023

Ardpatrick said:
Thanks Michael. Very decent of you. I have a good friend in Belfast - a cinematographer, who helps out like that. But I appreciate the offer.

That's good. It's nice that this sodding border doesn't get in the way all the time.

Ardpatrick · Oct 26, 2023

Philippe-Georges said:
Have a look at some German camera repair shops, these are, just like Ireland, member of the EEC and then there are no customs involved (and cheaper shipping).

This is one: https://www.arluewa.de/cms/en/

Philippe-Georges, Can I ask have you used Arluewa? the website looks good, and I travel close to Cologne regularly for work, which could be useful.

GRHazelton · Oct 26, 2023

I've had good service from advancecamera.com in Portland, Oregon in the USA. The did wonderful work on an AsaihiFlex IIb which had been declared unrepairable by the leading Pentax specialist here in the US. I would assume that the good folks at Advance would be familiar with possible import/export issues. Good luck in your quest.
Regards,
George

RalphLambrecht · Oct 26, 2023

foc said:
If you are sending a camera for repair in the EU, then there should be no customs charges as your transaction is inter EU.

See the Revenue details here: Irish Revenue guidelines

Try this calculator; https://www.simplyduty.com/import-calculator/

Regarding Vat, if you pay it in another EU country, when purchasing the repair, then there is no Vat charged on entry to Ireland.

If your repair is outside the EU, did you check the cost of shipping by An Post? I know their customs and Vat handling charges are less than DHL etc.

I hope you won't get hit by Brexit issues.

Pieter12 · Oct 26, 2023

RalphLambrecht said:
I hope you won't get hit by Brexit issues.

Last I looked Ireland wasn’t part of Brexit.

Philippe-Georges · Oct 27, 2023

Ardpatrick said:
Philippe-Georges, Can I ask have you used Arluewa? the website looks good, and I travel close to Cologne regularly for work, which could be useful.

No, not personally, but a colleague was very satisfied, that's why I know about them.

Ardpatrick · Oct 27, 2023

Thanks all, great information as ever. It's caused me to pause a moment and reconsider my options, which is a good thing considering the value and relative fragility of the equipment. And for what it's worth, although Ireland is inside the EU and the UK no longer is, Brexit has made a lot of things like this a lot more difficult from Ireland. It used to be simply a case of sending to the UK without complications. Now that's become much more complicated and we often have to by-pass our nearest neighbour. Of course forums like this help a lot in this regard. Thanks

Jeremy Greenaway · Oct 27, 2023

I suggest you might consider one of several reliable repairers in the UK - provided you're not averse to treating with Pefidious Albion! Here are a few you might consider/contact. Top of my list are Sendean in London - long established and reliable. I had a problematic Mamiya Press Super 23 with fogged viewfinder/rangefinder and other issues, and they did an excellent CLA at a not unreasonable cost - aroud 150 euros to you. Also, I've used Newton Ellis in Liverpool (Pentax Spotmeter V repair), while here in Plymouth, you could give Rob at rc-helihaven via eBay a shout. He won't touch anything digital, electronical or electrifical. I don't know why you'd bother with the US - takes too long to ship stuff in and out, customs is a whack-off, and unless you know DEFINITELY that you're dealing with a reputable outfit, you may be stitched up. I do know three or four very reliable and trusted techs, but the problem is turn-round times - you could be talking several months at least. As far as the EU is concerned, I cannot help - I've only bought in stuff, and found that German and French are very reliable. I've also sourced some very good kit from Poland. Hope these observations might help you!

Ardpatrick · Oct 27, 2023

Thanks Jeremy. I know about Sender - they've been recommended to me before. Thanks for the common sense perspective grounded in experience.

Ardpatrick · Oct 27, 2023

Sendean that is...

Customs Charges on International Export of Camera for repair

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