Very good and correct description of the Belgian situation, JJ.
I just wanted to add some possible drawbacks/problems/restrictions.
A (not extravagant) lens is no problem, but if one buys outside the E.C. an object that is more expensive than the
allowed exemption, VAT should be paid on import in Belgium.
The present allowance of duty-free import is limited to object(s) for a maximum value of 175 EUR per person. Be aware
that in principle it is not allowed to add the allowance of two travellers for one object : 2 passengers traveling
together can import duty-free two lenses of 175 euro each, but not one lens of 350 euro !
Probably the allowances will be increased by mid 2008 to 500 euro for air passengers, 220 euro for others. See
http://www.etrc.org/current-issue/taxation.php
Import duties and VAT vary from country to country, even within Europe. It might be wise to buy a camera body and a lens
separately, as e.g. in the UK there is no customs duty payable on cameras, but 4.9 % on lenses (= "optical components").
Summary :
- you can buy locally tax-free outside the E.C. almost everywhere
- if the total value is less than 175 EUR you don't have to declare your purchase when you arrive in the E.C. airport,
and don't pay VAT
- if the total value is more than 175 EUR you will have to declare the goods at the customs on arrival and pay VAT and
possibly import duties
If you compare prices between e.g. the U.S. and Europe be aware that
1) you will have to pay VAT at arrival in the E.C.; in Belgium this is 21 % at present
2) you will have to pay import duty, which is mostly in the neighbourhood of 5-10 %, sometimes (much) more !
3) in Europe EVERYTHING has to be included in any listed price (VAT, import duty, manuals, obvious accessories AND -
always - two years legal guarantee).
So after all, the end price difference between the US and Europe is not always as big as it seems at first sight.
(information checked as well as I could - no guarantee/responsibility for accuracy though :>)
Cheers,
Rik DILLEN
Doornstraat 15, B-9170 Sint-Gillis-Waas
Belgium
E-mail <mailto: rik.dillen%40skynet.be">rik.dillen
skynet.be> rik.dillen%40skynet.be">rik.dillenskynet.be
Homepage : <http://users.skynet.be/rik.dillen> http://users.skynet.be/rik.dillen
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_____
From: Nikon-D70%40yahoogroups.com">Nikon-D70yahoogroups.com [mailto: Nikon-D70%40yahoogroups.com">Nikon-D70yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of JJ
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 3:52 PM
To: Nikon-D70%40yahoogroups.com">Nikon-D70yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Nikon-D70] Re:OT: Question for Dutch people; looking for photography store
I am not a Dutchy, nor (even though I live here) a Belgy, but, rather a
Frenchy.
Perhaps the following may be of assistance to you.
As you probably know, each country within the EEC (except Luxembourg) has a
value added tax (VAT) of between 19 to 21 per cent on practically
everything. It is to be harmonized at (I think) 19.50 percent throughout
the EEC. This means that the list price (i.e. the price shown in stores), in
practically all cases includes the VAT. Whenever (airport or in the
country) you purchase "tax free" it will less VAT. It will never be
cheaper/less than the list price minus VAT.
Generally speaking, the prices of photo, electronic, etc equipment is
somewhat cheaper in Germany and in Austria. The least expensive place is,
most probably, still New York City or (if you travel that way . somewhat
problematic on an Israeli passport.) the Emirates.
In the EEC to benefit from this "tax-free" purchase, whatever your
nationality, you have to:
(1) If bought at an EEC airport: be departing for a destination outside of
the EEC.
(2) If bought in an EEC country: you have to be a non-resident of an EEC
country.
I recently bought a Nikkor 18-200mm VR in Texas. Including the Texas sales
tax the total price was US$799. The price (here, in Belgium) in a local
store is Euro 799.95 (including VAT). Right now that is US$ 1080. It may be
somewhat cheaper/more expensive in another store.
To buy this item tax-free (i.e. less VAT) from any given store in Belgium
would entail the following procedure: (Incidentally, not all stores want the
bother of "tax-free" sales. The less touristy the country/town the less
likely shopkeepers are to be aware of the existence of this procedures or
wanting to bother with them.)
I buy it at full price, i.e. Euro 799 (price plus VAT).
I fill out a number of forms the store gives me, including one with a bank
account nr where I want the tax to be reimbursed to me.
When I leave Belgium for a non-EEC destination I show the item bought plus
the forms I filled out to the customs at the airport. (There is a special
office/counter for this sort of thing). They stamp them and I send (mail) a
set back to the store. Eventually the store reimburses me the VAT (less
whatever bank charges the transfer may entail).
Most countries have a similar system. Sometimes a particular store may sell
it to you and deduct the tax immediately. However, in such cases you will
be asked to leave a signed credit card voucher so they may reimburses
themselves the VAT should you fail to send them back the document stamped by
customs.
A note of caution: guarantees may only be valid for the country or region in
which the item was bought. (A Nikon D-70 I bought in the US in 2004 only had
a US guarantee.)
I hope this has shed some light on the subject.
Regards,
J-J
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