UK Import Duties on Camera for Repair?

**GPS** · 21-Dec-2009, 13:54

Originally Posted by rknewcomb

I'm trying to send a camera to Linhof Studio in England for a repair. I'm afraid of the possibility of a big hit on import duties or VAT tax through UK Customs even though the camera is not changing ownership - just there for a few days for service and repair.
Does anyone here know how I go about avoiding these taxes?
thank you.

In fact, your problem is the opposite. You wouldn't need to pay an import tax for the camera arriving to the UK but rather when arriving back to you from there. For that you would need to ask your domestic customs. The repairing firms have their own way to avoid getting taxed for cameras coming in for a repair. In that the poster #12 was right.

**rknewcomb** · 21-Dec-2009, 17:25

Yes, I "should" be able to send something to a country for a temporary amount of time and not have to pay duties. And, I "might" be able to fill out forms in such a way that I "might" get away without added taxes.
The problem is that "if" it doesn't work It will cost me a lot of money that I don't have
Or, can I ask for donations from eveyone here if the tax axe falls on me?

**percepts** · 21-Dec-2009, 17:56

Originally Posted by GPS

In fact, your problem is the opposite. You wouldn't need to pay an import tax for the camera arriving to the UK but rather when arriving back to you from there. For that you would need to ask your domestic customs. The repairing firms have their own way to avoid getting taxed for cameras coming in for a repair. In that the poster #12 was right.

So you think the repairer is going to bear the cost of import taxes for his camera do you. Clever...