Originally posted by Frogfish Well I really don't know where to start with this post - it really is that bad and that inaccurate.
I have imported 2 cameras (SLRs) and maybe 6 or 7 lenses - no problem whatsoever, the only issue I have had is the flat fee for ANY lense (currently RMB1,200 or roughly US$180).
As for bribes - well the Customs issue their assessment and send the forms (with the exact amounts) to the Post Office which is where you go to collect parcels like this. Paid, stamped and collected with official receipts, the money paid by the Post Office is sent back to the Customs. Happily, just like with any Customs / Postal service sometimes they miss importations !
There are lots and lots of circumstances in China where bribes are paid or expected - but the importation of individual parcels is not one of them. So that's the Customs issue addressed.
Next
I really don't know where you get your information but you really need to either do even the minimum due diligence before posting such crap - or refrain completely.
The prices in China are not terrible at all, in fact in some instances they are cheaper than in the USA (same goes for cameras as I posted above). Though as I've mentioned already probably roughly equivalent to Canada's pricing due to heavy import taxation.
I would like to know where you pull a spurious figure like $300 - 400 per lense from !! Is that on a US$200 lense ? A US$500 lense ? A US$1,000 lense ? Frankly that is absolute @$%#$. Tell me a lense and I'll give the pricing .... and the proof. I'd like to see yours.
Some examples of cameras and lenses I've bought here :
Sigma 18-125 : US$265
Sigma 10-20 : US$455
Pentax 55-300 : US$ 425
Tamron 17-50/2.8 : US$415
Tamron 90 Di : US$405
Pentax K7 : US$910 (Jan 2010)
Pentax K5 : US$1,300 (Jan 2011)
The next lense on my radar is either the 60-250 (US$1,225) or the *300 (US$1,270.
all rounded up or down to the nearest US$. These are all from official outlets and are not 'grey' imports which can be had cheaper but without recourse, or a guarantee, in the event of a problem.
These are facts not unsubstantiated claims as you have posted (and I've probably posted these prices elsewhere on here (maybe not all) when I've bought them). Maybe one of two of these are higher than in the USA - I don't know, use EBay and check yourself. I do know that your claim of $300 - 400 per lense is absolutely hilarious.
Regards
Expatriate living for the last 15 years in Shanghai, China.
Even if I'm completely wrong, there's no need to be ill mannered.
My info is based on friends and family members who have frequently asked me to bring back lenses for them. There's a chance they're terrible at finding lenses at good prices but I seriously doubt that they're off by that much.
I also sell quite a bit of camera equipment on Ebay, so I'm quite familiar with the customs issues in China. I've never had any issues sending lenses, only cameras. USPS has explicitly stated that they will not ship any cameras to the PRC. An acquaintance of mine who runs a vintage cameras club in Shanghai has repeatedly complained to me about the ridiculous rates customs has asked for cameras. He even mentioned a few times that he just "slipped" them some money. I don't see any reason why he'd lie to me about this.
I'm sure you know so much more than I do about this since you're actually living there. Good for you. My uncle-in-law has been bugging me to bring him back the newest version of the Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 for the Canon EOS mount. The best I can find it at is about $700 with full warranty. If you can find it for that price and provide me a link, I'd appreciate it, it'd save me the hassles of having to ship it back to him. Thanks!