Declaring camera & lenses a airport

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

05/04/2007 07:19:41 PM · #1

Just needing some advice here. Heading off tomorrow but still not sure how this all works.

I understand that you need to declare your camera and lenses (especially if you will be purchaseing some in the country you are going to) so that they know what you had before you left. How specific is the information that you put down. eg. 1 slr body and 3 lenses 1 flash. Or do you have to include specifications. 1 x 350d Slr. 1 x 17-85 canon lens, 1 x 430 canon speedlite.

If you have any idea on this it would love to know. Much appreciated.

Maria

Jib

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

05/04/2007 07:22:47 PM · #2

you must also know the specifications and weight like 70-200mm f/2.8L IS wt. 3lbs height,length, circumference...and also its atomic mass....lets see did i miss anything

lol i have no idea

zeuszen

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/04/2007 07:30:16 PM · #3

Really?
I've travelled internationally for a lifetime and never have or have been asked to.

TechnoShroom

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

05/04/2007 07:31:02 PM · #4

Originally posted by zeuszen:

Really?
I've travelled internationally for a lifetime and never have or have been asked to.

That's what I was thinking. Is this a new regulation?

_eug

Nikon D50

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

05/04/2007 07:31:03 PM · #5

I'm not sure how it works as an Australian Citizen, but I traveled with my equipment (2 cameras, 3 lenses, assorted other stuff) from the U.S. to Oz and back without documenting ANYTHING.

_eug

Nikon D50

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

05/04/2007 07:31:49 PM · #6

Originally posted by TechnoShroom:

Originally posted by zeuszen:
Really?
I've travelled internationally for a lifetime and never have or have been asked to.

That's what I was thinking. Is this a new regulation?

She's Australian. They may have different laws. I know the Icelanders do.

Ozzie

Nikon D90

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm f/4G ED VR

05/04/2007 07:35:50 PM · #7

A friend of mind kept a card in her camera bag stating what lens they had, such as Tamron 28-80 mm lens, Pentax (Model #) etc..and it was stamped by customs I believe. Not sure where she got the card from though as it looked official.

Bearing in mind, that was dated 1992 and from Canada.

I am an Australian, travelled several times between US and Australia without once having to declare what lens/camera I had, although I didn't purchase any while overseas. The only time I did was when I bought a camera once duty free in Australia before heading to the US on holidays and had that paperwork, and wasn't asked any questions.

Message edited by author 2007-05-04 19:37:46.

pamelasue

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

05/04/2007 07:52:19 PM · #8

I'm a United States citizen and just got back from a trip to Spain and Italy ... never was questioned or had to declare anything in either country or the USA at all ...

cwyou

Nikon D3

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

05/04/2007 08:04:42 PM · #9

I have always taken my equipment to a Canada Customs office and had the cards filled out and stamped. They are in my camera bag at all times. Now I have never been asked to show it but I don't want to take the chance coming back into Canada because their policy is prove it or lose it.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

05/04/2007 08:05:24 PM · #10

Because I have decided to purchase some lenses in America I phoned customs to find out how it all works.

When you come back in you have to declare what was purchased and pay tax accordingly if you go over the free limit (mind you you have to pay tax on the lot if you go over the limit, those don't take the free bit off - unfair). I was concerned that they may try to say that the lenses I had with me were also purchased over there so he said that you declare what you have before leaving so that you don't have any trouble on return.

Really sucks. A businessman can buy as many Armani suits as he wants and does not have to declare them but if I buy three lenses for my own personal use I must declare them. Just doesn't seem fair some how.

I'm probably being paranoid about it all but i'm the one that will be selected for that special search of luggage upon return (probably on the American side as well) only wish I could be the one in a million that wins lotto. lol

I'm allowed $900 of items to bring back in. They convert the american price back to Australian and then take of 20% because I will have used them. My daughter is travelling back with me so that we give me $1,800 to work with but am concerned that I may go over.

Someone had suggested to me that I should see if I could find an non-working flash and a couple of lenses and put them in the bag for the trip out but chuck them out and buy new for the trip back in. Or another person suggested that if I knew someone that worked in a shop that sold lenses that I could see if they could get me some shop stickers to put on the boxes and they would look like they were purchased in Australia and don't declare on the way out.

I just fear that I'm going to go over the limit so I may just have to mail the ones back home that are under the $1,000 value.

Doesn't take much to go over $1800 when you are looking at the 17-55 2.8, 70-300 f4 IS USM, a 430 flash a 100 macro and a 10-22.

Don't know if I will go with all or just some. I may not even have a problem depending on what I decide to get.

Oh, the stress of it all. If I purchase in America I can viritually buy two lenses and get one for free compared to over here. Gotta take advantage of that when you can - don't you???

_eug

Nikon D50

05/04/2007 08:12:34 PM · #11

Where in the U.S. are you traveling? If you're going to be in NY City you can get good prices at B&H. And you can window shop online before you get here.

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

05/04/2007 08:14:50 PM · #12

I just wrap my camera and lenses with bags full of drugs and explosives. There's never been any question about my camera and lenses.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/04/2007 08:49:53 PM · #13

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

I just wrap my camera and lenses with bags full of drugs and explosives. There's never been any question about my camera and lenses.

Keep in mind this comment comes from someone who really enjoyed his stint in a Turkish prison.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

05/04/2007 09:27:46 PM · #14

Hi Eug

Will be in California - Irvine. Somebody said to go to Samys. Will also be travelling to Las Vegas (is there any good camera lens shopping there?). Will be in San Francisco for a couple of days also (doing a 14 day tour - Grand Canyon, Yosemite etc.).

If you can offer any bargain priced camera stores around those areas i would appreciate it.

Cheers

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

05/04/2007 09:42:31 PM · #15

If planning on buying additional equipment, register with your local customs agent. You'll probably need the serial numbers of all the equipment you're taking with you. The bills of sale would help as well though I don't know if that's necessary.

I've never done it but have checked into it. (in Canada anyway)

paddles

Pentax K10D

Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 AF

05/04/2007 11:30:34 PM · #16

A few years ago when I flew over to NZ, I simply had a list of camera gear that I was taking with me (camera, lenses, flashes), I got the list stamped by a Customs guy at the airport on my way out. Can't remember whether I included serial numbers or not. I think the blank list to fill in came from a Customs pamphlet or something.

I wouldn't suggest following any of the ways suggested for avoiding customs duty, 'cause that's just another name for tax fraud. If you're saving enough money to warrant buying the lenses overseas, then the duty is just coming out of your savings. The duty is exactly the same as the GST you'd pay if you purchased them in Australia.

Customs duty also applies to items you have shipped into Australia, not just things you bring back with you. If you're over the limit for bringing them in in your luggage, you'll be over the limit for bringing them in by mail as well. (The limit is basically there only because once the value drops below a certain point, the cost of collecting the tax is bigger than the tax collected.)

Steveinnz

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

05/05/2007 12:17:34 AM · #17

I do a lot of traveling in and out of Australia, Singaspore, Dubai and India. Never been asked about my camera gear which I always carry as hand luggage. If it is personal stuff they do not seem worried, try bringing in several pieces of equipment still sealed in new packaging and boxes and they will be more interested and possibly hit you duty and or GST depending on the goods. I would not get to worried about it just do not hide things.

kawana

Sony Alpha a7R

Samyang 135mm f/2 ED UMC

05/05/2007 07:26:26 AM · #18

Originally posted by RamblinR:

I didn't have to declare anything while i was on vacation in California, and i did buy $600 worth of misc camera stuff including a Lens. and no i didn't tell anyone i bought it there lol :D

RayEthier

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

05/05/2007 08:50:55 AM · #19

Originally posted by kawana:

I didn't have to declare anything while i was on vacation in California, and i did buy $600 worth of misc camera stuff including a Lens. and no i didn't tell anyone i bought it there lol :D

Actually, when you crossed the border I am positive they would have asked you "Do you have anything to declare", at which point you truly should have answered yes since your purchases were under the alloted limit.

By stating no, you could have have undergone a check and they could have asked you to produced receipts for all the equipment you had in your possession. Since the Customs Act Laws work on the premise of "Reverse Onus", you are the one who has to prove you owned those items prior to visiting the USA.

I personally declare everything I purchase in the USA since I would truly hate to lose a $2000.00USD lens for the taxes (14%) I would need to pay on it...it truly isn't worth the aggravation.

Word of advise, now that you do have this item in your possession, take the time to visit your local customs offices, bring all your photo equipment and get them to issue you a Form Y-38 Identification of Articles for Temporary Exportation. By doing this, and keeping this record with your equipment will truly make your life a lot easier if you re-visit the USA and encounter a customs officer who is suspicious as to the origins of your equipment.

Best of luck to you in your future trips.

Ray

Message edited by author 2007-05-05 08:52:57.

littlegett

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

05/05/2007 10:14:25 AM · #20

Originally posted by RamblinR:

Don't Go to Samys, they are all not that great... If you want a good camerashop in SoCal go to 'Cal's' In the Huntington Beach Area... Good shop and they know what they are talking about. Also, a bit of History, John Wayne shopped at Cal's so you know they been there a while.