Mail order films from foreign countries

[Don_ih]

the ebay sellers are doing it..

you can go search for film on ilt right now and youll find a good number of people are opening cans up, and then taking a photo of the contents... and then demanding 350$ for that partial roll of Silvermax

Not the ones I purchased that were open by customs. If it had been done by the sellers, I would not have bought it - nor would I have mentioned it.

Everyone has seen the photos of both film and paper exposed to daylight on eBay.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

I've ordered Velvia 50 and photo equipment from Japan through Kumar Brahmajosyula {moderator's deletion of email address} who's trustworthy and reliable. Never had packages opened. All payments through PayPal.

 

[MattKing]

Please don't post email addresses in public posts, unless you have their express permission.

 

[mshchem]

I remember when Kodak in USA tried to scare US customers into only using US made and finished US films. B&H sold 3 different versions of professional films. US, US coated film finished overseas, foreign coated and finished films.

Kodak had a pro rewards program as well, I know a guy who was a wedding photographer at the time. He collected enough points to get a Hasselblad body.

 

[Agulliver]

I don't think anyone here has ever had an issue with photographic film being damaged by X-rays in the mail. If customs opened and examined a container of film, they are bloody stupid. Though it is also worth asking if the vendor correctly labelled the package and had warning labels that it contained light sensitive materials.

In the UK I've ordered from B&H in New York, and from German and Ukrainian sellers in the past. Never had any issues at all. The arrangements for X-raying parcel post are *very* different to those your suitcase might encounter at an airport.

 

[Don_ih]

I don't think anyone here has ever had an issue with photographic film being damaged by X-rays in the mail.

I once got replacement film from Foma for some iso200 stuff that was, well, dead. They sent it in a lead bag.

I ordered some Super 8 from Kodak and they had plastered the box with "Do Not XRAY" stickers.

 

[redbandit]

I don't think anyone here has ever had an issue with photographic film being damaged by X-rays in the mail. If customs opened and examined a container of film, they are bloody stupid. Though it is also worth asking if the vendor correctly labelled the package and had warning labels that it contained light sensitive materials.

In the UK I've ordered from B&H in New York, and from German and Ukrainian sellers in the past. Never had any issues at all. The arrangements for X-raying parcel post are *very* different to those your suitcase might encounter at an airport.

and the stuff being sold by BH photo and adorama, etc came on a pallet through commercial cargo jet. Far different method then

walking through the airport scanner system

international mail

But it helps alot to make sure you dont connect the film canisters with a string to each one.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Please don't post email addresses in public posts, unless you have their express permission.

OK MY mistake.

 

[Helios 1984]

I don't think there's a minimum order - I've typically ordered 20-40 rolls of 35mm from them at a time.

If I may ask, how much was the shipping fees?

 

[removedacct1]

If I may ask, how much was the shipping fees?

I don't know what shipping costs now but the last time I made a purchase of 30 rolls (2 years ago), it cost me $25 USD for shipping.

 

[Sirius Glass]

If I may ask, how much was the shipping fees?

That depends on how much the order weighs and to where it will be shipped.

 

[relistan]

In general getting things shipped to the US is a lot cheaper than shipping from the US. Shipping from the US is really expensive.

In Europe you can get stuff from Ukraine without customs fees, but stuff from the US or Asia (other than Japan, which has a free trade agreement) is going to be heavily price dependent on how much your country's legislators have decided that customs on personal goods are a good way to make money and/or waste time.

 

[Helios 1984]

I don't know what shipping costs now but the last time I made a purchase of 30 rolls (2 years ago), it cost me $25 USD for shipping.

Thanks.
Yesterday, I made an inquiry for Foto-100 and FN-64 but forgot to ask about the shipping fees.

edit: I've just received a reply from them. Looks like I'll be ordering my next 20-rolls bulk from them.

That depends on how much the order weighs and to where it will be shipped.

I know a fellow who lives in Kuujjuaq, near Ungava bay. The shipping is so expensive that it cost 125.00 CAD (93.50 USD) to buy a case of 24 beers at the grocery.

 

[Sirius Glass]

In general getting things shipped to the US is a lot cheaper than shipping from the US. Shipping from the US is really expensive.

In Europe you can get stuff from Ukraine without customs fees, but stuff from the US or Asia (other than Japan, which has a free trade agreement) is going to be heavily price dependent on how much your country's legislators have decided that customs on personal goods are a good way to make money and/or waste time.

The lower shipping costs are due to the EU.

 

[relistan]

The lower shipping costs are due to the EU.

What I'm referring to is that actual postal charges (not customs) to ship stuff to the US from e.g. Germany, Ireland, UK (all places I have lived—I'm American but live in Europe) is about 1/2 to 2/3 what it costs from the US the other direction. I'm not referring to charges inside the EU or associated trade partners.

 

[Agulliver]

What I'm referring to is that actual postal charges (not customs) to ship stuff to the US from e.g. Germany, Ireland, UK (all places I have lived—I'm American but live in Europe) is about 1/2 to 2/3 what it costs from the US the other direction. I'm not referring to charges inside the EU or associated trade partners.

Postal charges from the USA to Europe/UK pretty much tripled about 10 years ago. They used to be pretty reasonable, now it's prohibitive but that does depend on which postal service the American end are using.

 

[relistan]

Postal charges from the USA to Europe/UK pretty much tripled about 10 years ago. They used to be pretty reasonable, now it's prohibitive but that does depend on which postal service the American end are using.

Yes. For Xmas, my sister in law mailed a small box of cookies and chocolate using US Postal Service, regular airmail. Weighed about 1kg and was $63 in postage. I could mail the same package from Ireland for about €18. USPS is the cheapest option.