Digital camera from the US

Hexx · 21st November 2003, 2:07 PM

I am looking to purchase a digital camera in the near furure. The Kodak DX6340 and the Panasonic DMCLC33 are what i am considering. They both are 3Mp and have 4 and 3 oprical zoom respectively, and they are around $600 retail. Then i found some US prices. It turns out that i can get both cameras for under $350 AU(KOD-$343, PAN-$325)

. This seems a very attractive offer.
Now what i want to know, is :
About how much to get the thing here to aus.
Will i have to pay any customs tarriff or others?
Warranty in Aus
and Insurance for post etc.
Has anybody bought a camera from the US? How did it go?

Panasonic camera
http://www.panasonic.com.au/catalogu...=DCAM&cat=10_1

Kodak Camera
http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQueri...q-locale=en_AU

Thanks forum people.

mavric41 · 21st November 2003, 5:56 PM

I am also very interested in this option. Can people also recommend particular sites which are reliable and ship overseas. They should a sequere website for payment.

protecon · 22nd November 2003, 11:17 AM

Buying a digicam from the states will definately save you dollars and cents, however nine times out of ten the warranty is only intended for use in the United States.
If you want the best deal on a new or relatively recent camera, your best source is eBay. Do a search for your camera model number and remember to check "available to Australia" under the Country option (this will include the multitudes of auctions shipping worldwide).
Just remember to always check the payment options (avoid auctions that insist on cashier/personal cheques) and double check the shipping costs -> if unsure email the seller before the auction close to obtain an estimate (no unpleasant "surprises" when you go to pay for your auction).
As far as paying import taxes, as long as the item is under USD$500, it is exempt from GST - if it is over, you'll have to pay 10% on top of the item's value (this might have been ammended since i last did this).

Hope this helps

FranchiseJuan · 22nd November 2003, 2:39 PM

the concept that if the item is under $500 US it is exempt from GST is not correct. I recently purchase some items from the USA and the total of the five items was less then $300 US, and I had to pay $100AUS for customs duty and GST. So when you are trying to think about a Camera from the USA, you not only have to think about how much the shipping will be, but also the customs duty and GST.

MacroP · 23rd November 2003, 11:19 PM

I've bought two digicams from the states, both through ebay. One from Cameta auctions and the other was called Camweis or something IIRC. Both places were from NY state. I use the US postal service (USPS) always over the private couriers(FedEx, UPS, DHL etc).
Postage is a killer from the US to here and the regular mail seems to be a better service at a least half the cost. Both were at my door in less than a week. I ordered these a couple of months apart.
Custom's also seem to let regalur USPS mail go through easier.
If customs do pick it up, and you used a private courier, they will hold it for you or sent in on and sting you with $50 or so bill. This is on top of the GST(inc. postage) you'll have to pay if it's over several hundred dollars. Remember this value is quite ambiguous and it really depends on the customs officer as to whether you get stung or not. Luckily there is zero 0% custom duty on digicams from memory.

As for the cameras, they were both Fuji's because their warranty is valid internationally. Minolta are another manufacturer that have a worldwide warranty. There maybe others too that I don't know about.

Hexx · 24th November 2003, 12:25 AM

Thanks for your replys.
Ive checked on ebay as Protecon suggested. There seems to be a few of those kodaks on there, with a hundred or so saving. I checked out the customs website and i read that cameras dont have any import tariff. so thats a +.

mavric41 what cameas you interested in?

D_Web · 24th November 2003, 12:39 AM

I am looking at getting a Powershot A70 off eBay AU, they all seem to ship from Tokyo or Hong Kong - is warantee afffected by this?
I am just a little usnure of a purchase like this off eBay.

http://forums.overclockers.com.au/sh...hreadid=227308

mavric41 · 24th November 2003, 1:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hexx
Thanks for your replys.
Ive checked on ebay as Protecon suggested. There seems to be a few of those kodaks on there, with a hundred or so saving. I checked out the customs website and i read that cameras dont have any import tariff. so thats a +.

mavric41 what cameas you interested in?

I think I've narrowed it down to 2 - Cannon Powershot A80 or the Kodak 6440. Slightly favouring the Kodak as its 4X optical zoom compared to 3X for the Cannon. But the Cannon uses CF of which I've got 2 X128mb cards. Depends on price now.

Had a look on Ebay as well. Becareful of the ones that are shipping from Hong Kong. They are charging $60 postage!!

pRoGrEsS · 24th November 2003, 11:45 AM

www.bhphotovideo.com

This site is absolute GOLD!
They are the largest global distributer and their prices are very competitive!
You will often find 2 different versions of the same product, the american and international. Go for the international one, because not only is it cheaper but you get your warranty!

Nick

D_Web · 24th November 2003, 1:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pRoGrEsS
www.bhphotovideo.com

This site is absolute GOLD!
They are the largest global distributer and their prices are very competitive!
You will often find 2 different versions of the same product, the american and international. Go for the international one, because not only is it cheaper but you get your warranty!

Nick

This looks very interesting, I very much like the idea of a brand new camera from a dealer looks much more appealing than an eBay purchase.

Only downside seems to be customs duty's and the like, nobody seems to be able to give a direct answer.

pRoGrEsS · 24th November 2003, 1:20 PM

In past experiences when speaking with customs, there is a GST of 10% to be paid and another fee of about $50 i think for something else. Just give them a call and they'll fill you in.
Regardless of the fees though, you should save a fair bit due to the strong aussie dollar at the moment.

mavric41 · 24th November 2003, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hexx

mavric41 what cameas you interested in?

After some more research I've changed my mind. The Pentax Optio 450 looks superb. 4 megapixel and 5X optical zoom. Excellant reviews throughout. Just gotta find a place to get one from.

21st November 2003, 2:07 PM	#1
Hexx Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Wodonga Posts: 264	Digital camera from the US I am looking to purchase a digital camera in the near furure. The Kodak DX6340 and the Panasonic DMCLC33 are what i am considering. They both are 3Mp and have 4 and 3 oprical zoom respectively, and they are around $600 retail. Then i found some US prices. It turns out that i can get both cameras for under $350 AU(KOD-$343, PAN-$325) . This seems a very attractive offer. Now what i want to know, is : About how much to get the thing here to aus. Will i have to pay any customs tarriff or others? Warranty in Aus and Insurance for post etc. Has anybody bought a camera from the US? How did it go? Panasonic camera http://www.panasonic.com.au/catalogu...=DCAM&cat=10_1 Kodak Camera http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQueri...q-locale=en_AU Thanks forum people. __________________ 500px Photos

21st November 2003, 5:56 PM	#2
mavric41 Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ipswich, Qld Posts: 1,430	I am also very interested in this option. Can people also recommend particular sites which are reliable and ship overseas. They should a sequere website for payment. __________________ Successful trades with T-Bones, byson, xcop, jforman, tntman,danielvh, Darkness, Blinky, snoopie, combyte tech, E2EKI3L, Ma Baker, Asuka, aliG123, Dedge, decryption, Marz, fxr91, Rex, slayer, he46570, decryption, Deftone2k, betacase, vinnY, CAMS, microant, Arachnadactly,^catalyst, Fatmantan, Esper, NRGU, toolate,whisky

22nd November 2003, 2:39 PM	#4
FranchiseJuan Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Somewhere Exotic Posts: 2,620	the concept that if the item is under $500 US it is exempt from GST is not correct. I recently purchase some items from the USA and the total of the five items was less then $300 US, and I had to pay $100AUS for customs duty and GST. So when you are trying to think about a Camera from the USA, you not only have to think about how much the shipping will be, but also the customs duty and GST. __________________ Quad Core Intel i5/20 inch LCD ----- HP 2760P i5 2.3 GHz ----- Phenom II X4/24 inch/20+tb of storage combined. My Photographic Equipment zhenphotography.co

24th November 2003, 12:25 AM	#6
Hexx Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Wodonga Posts: 264	Thanks for your replys. Ive checked on ebay as Protecon suggested. There seems to be a few of those kodaks on there, with a hundred or so saving. I checked out the customs website and i read that cameras dont have any import tariff. so thats a +. mavric41 what cameas you interested in? __________________ 500px Photos

24th November 2003, 12:39 AM	#7
D_Web Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Gold Coast, Sunny Qld Posts: 1,543	I am looking at getting a Powershot A70 off eBay AU, they all seem to ship from Tokyo or Hong Kong - is warantee afffected by this? I am just a little usnure of a purchase like this off eBay. http://forums.overclockers.com.au/sh...hreadid=227308 __________________ CBG: Do I detect a note of sarcasm? Frink: (With sarcasm detector) Are you kidding? This baby is off the charts mm-hai. CBG: A sarcasm detector, that's a real useful invention. (Sarcasm detector explodes) imagestore.ugbox.net - smilies.ugbox.net - irc.oz.org #ugbox

22nd November 2003, 11:17 AM	#3
protecon Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Perth, WA Posts: 1,089	Buying a digicam from the states will definately save you dollars and cents, however nine times out of ten the warranty is only intended for use in the United States. If you want the best deal on a new or relatively recent camera, your best source is eBay. Do a search for your camera model number and remember to check "available to Australia" under the Country option (this will include the multitudes of auctions shipping worldwide). Just remember to always check the payment options (avoid auctions that insist on cashier/personal cheques) and double check the shipping costs -> if unsure email the seller before the auction close to obtain an estimate (no unpleasant "surprises" when you go to pay for your auction). As far as paying import taxes, as long as the item is under USD$500, it is exempt from GST - if it is over, you'll have to pay 10% on top of the item's value (this might have been ammended since i last did this). Hope this helps

24th November 2003, 11:45 AM	#9
pRoGrEsS (Banned or Deleted) Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: SYD Posts: 50	www.bhphotovideo.com This site is absolute GOLD! They are the largest global distributer and their prices are very competitive! You will often find 2 different versions of the same product, the american and international. Go for the international one, because not only is it cheaper but you get your warranty! Nick

24th November 2003, 1:20 PM	#11
pRoGrEsS (Banned or Deleted) Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: SYD Posts: 50	In past experiences when speaking with customs, there is a GST of 10% to be paid and another fee of about $50 i think for something else. Just give them a call and they'll fill you in. Regardless of the fees though, you should save a fair bit due to the strong aussie dollar at the moment.