[frederik9111]

It was extremely nice meeting you Thomas! Hope to see some of your 600mm-work soon!

So the A*600/5.6 has found a new owner, the A*300/2.8 is still available. To all interested, I gladly suggest this graphic.

[littledrawe]

I don't get it!

Two A*300/2.8 for sale at the same time!

Too bad they are both on the other side of the Atlantic. I am sure the import fees are significant. I have considered trying to get my cousin, who has a study abroad program in Italy, to buy it and bring it back secretly!!

[frederik9111]

Hey littledrawe,

Thanks for you support/interest

I know there is a import tax from the US to the EU (about 25% on top), but I'm not aware of importaxes from the EU to the US, but I can be wrong! Does someone from you side of the ocean have any experiences in that direction?

To be seriously honest: I can stretch my asking price a little bit (lets say €1250), but not to the asking price of the Italian seller (who sold an other A*300/2.8 for about €1500, just a few months ago, to the same buyer as my A*600/5.6). Who am I to blame him for going under a normal price (it's his lens, not mine), but my lens is to dear for me to do that. I'ld rather take it off the market then. Maybe I can make a family member happy with it.

That was also the reason why I sold my A*600/5.6 to "bratzmahn" in stead of the other 10 candidates around the globe for it. Lenses like this are like family members to me (I know it sounds tacky...). The fact that Thomas was a passionated nature photographer who treats his material the same way as I do, convinced me. Selling it for a bargain just to get rid of it ... no... it would break my heart (yes I'm a romantic).

[Pepe Guitarra]

I am not sure about this, but I have done actual imports of other stuff. There is a tax for brand new items purchased outside the US, that is custom tax, there is also the storaging, fees for the handler, etc., they could be in the 10-15%. Depending on the State, there may be a "usage-in-California tax currently at about 9%, e.g., California charges for items purchased outside the State and which original use was intended to be in CA. However, this item is old and used, it was purchased new to be intended to be used in Europe. A third party sales like this may be exempt (always check your tax advisor). It is very important to specify if the item is old and used when shipping.

[frederik9111]

Very relevant information Pepe! An indication that the lens is 'old' and 'used' is off course not a single problem

Anybody else with other experiences?

[MRRiley]

Why are all of these great lenses in Europe?

[EricR]

I have sent around 10 packages to the USA from the EU. To the East and West-coast and none of the buyers had to pay any duties or taxes. Don't know if they will treat a large box with the A* 300mm f2.8 differently but my experience is they only check the contents and not what the contents are worth when you ships lenses or camera's to the USA. Delays while the package is going through customs are quite normal, even when you have filled in the CN 23 Customs declaration (which is mandatory if you want the package cleared in time).

[igor]

PM sent on 300/2.8

[froeschle]

PM sent (A* 300/2.8)

[gofour3]

Why are all of these great lenses in Europe?

I bought my K1000/8 (with trunk) from the UK and had it shipped via DHL to the west coast of Canada with no issues. The K1000/8 is physically the longest lens that Pentax made and it’s heavier than these two lenses, so even with the Canadian duty I was charged it was worth it. (The shipping was £60)

Phil.

[igor]

PM sent (A* 300/2.8)

if it was sent to me (I had asked about this lens) , I did not receive it ....

[frederik9111]

Excuse me a few days of inactivity! I was finalizing an important project at work, which took all my time (day and night) this week.

All MP's replied!!

[frederik9111]

Yesterday my A*300/2.8 started a trip through Europe to Germany!
Have fun with it, froeschle!