Buying a digital camera
 

I am interested in getting a digital camera in either Japan or Taiwan. (Most likely in Taiwan). What duty-fee am I looking at when I return to the US and do I have to pay up front or do they give me a receipt and send in the payment. Is it worth buying in Taiwan/Japan over the US? Probably a stupid question but, does the $400 alotment include both countries or is it $400 seperate (I am thinking its both together).

Any information is greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Amit :)

Buy it here in the US. Prices from many New York mail-order or internet stores are as good as any in the world, and you don't need to worry about customs or warranty (unless you're getting a grey-market import).

On the other hand, accessories like memory cards or rechargeable battery packs can be cheaper in Asia.

I should say that I am an electronics fiend, so I would like to get something a little more modern that you can't get in the US until next year or later.

If you do buy in Japan or Taiwan or anywhere else outside the US, make sure you get an international warranty. You'll generally pay more than you would in the US. Some people find that memory cards are cheaper overseas, but I've found them cheaper via US retailers on the internet. (no doubt it depends on exactly what you are looking for)

Your duty free allowance is per person no matter how many countries you visit. You pay duty at US customs (in the airport) upon return via cash, check or credit card.

Why would yo want to pay duty. If you use it you do not have to pay duty

996tt - Yes you do have to declare all purchases you made overseas, if the total is over US$400, whether it's for personal use or as gifts. Over that, you have to declare it, and you may be charged a duty.

Of course, you can TELL them you bought that in the US, but if they inspect all your luggage and find the box, receipts and warranty cards, etc... they you may be in trouble.

Also, the U.S. distributor of that camera may not honor an "international warranty" that you may get in Japan or Taiwan. Chances are they won't.

In short, not worth the trouble; unless it's a brand-new model that's not yet available in the US, and YOU MUST HAVE IT.

The $400 allowance is per trip. It doesn't matter if you visit 150 countries in that trip. You're still only allowed $400 duty-free.

I wonder if digital camaras are all that noval and new in Japan/taiwan?, i mean sure they are made in japan but are they quicly exported too the rest of the world... as opposed too some TV, and cell phones technoligies..

As a retunring US citizen, your duty-free allowance is $800 in total for all countries you have visited in the trip.
Above that amount, you will pay a duty of 3% on every $1,000 of items.Take a look at the guide put together by the US Customs Services at customs.ustreas.gov/travel.

I agree that you will find things cheaper in the US. If you do buy overseas, make sure you get a worldwide guaranty in English, and make very sure you are not buying a fake, i.e. nothing from a street vendor.

I couldn't find the customs pamphlet at customs.ustreas.gov/travel, but I did find it at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/le...beforeu_go.xml

It almost seems as though you need a lawyer with you, but we've found the process goes fairly smoothly.