jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

The limit for buying duty-free is $800. Of course, there are many variations, but keep that $800 figure in mind if you want to buy something from a non-US country. Not only will the item be held up in Customs for an unspecified period of time, but you will have to pay an Import Duty and a Brokerage Fee. I've paid the following: $83 fees on a $900 price; $108 fees on a $1,500 price, and $131 fees on a $1,300 price. I got billed directly from UPS. They recommend keeping the receipt in case the driver needs proof of payment.

Duty is not charged if the value of the imported goods is up to $800. CBP collects federal taxes and fees on behalf of other federal agencies, such as the Internal Revenue Service, depending on the commodity being imported. User fees depend on the type of entry and mode of transportation.

Fortunately, when buying photo gear, we usually buy locally so we get the US warranty.

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

Yes to the above..but there are many other conditions and exceptions..from U.S. Custom Duty Information..

The combined value of merchandise subject to a flat duty rate for a family of four traveling together would be $4,000. Purchase totals must be rounded to the nearest dollar amount. (Of course changes for 2 or 3 people).
Also, there are many types of 'personal use items' that are fully exempt. Not photography equipment.

'.....For Customs purposes, clothing, jewelry, photography equipment, portable radios, and vehicles are considered personal effects and cannot be brought in duty-free as household effects. However, duty is usually waived on personal effects more than one year of age. All vehicles are dutiable....'

A good rule of thumb to avoid problems with personal items or equipment that you already have that could be construed as having purchased during your trip, is to go to the airport early and request Customs to verify your articles before you leave the country. My wife and I have done this two times in the past and once it saved us from a problem.
But if limited to new photo equipment....yes, Buy in the USA.

Canisdirus

I have never heard of anyone legally buying duty free online. You must be traveling internationally to do it...but you can of course mail it back (which I did many times...why carry when you can mail it).
Unless the laws have changed...you cannot buy duty free online from inside the US.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yes, it is complicated.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

As long as it costs no more than $800. I've bought from England and Germany, under $800, no extra charges.

JBRIII

I once bought a large wooden mask in Switzerland and had to pick it up at the customs at the airport, luckily airport was close. Agent said "You didn't pay more than xxx for this, did you?". I said well actually, but Before I got any further, he repeated his question and I took it home.

Based on a work experience, I would never suggest trying to ship something into Mexico, even if it's coming back out after being used there. I never understood what all the fees were, but pretty sure some never showed up on any invoice. Lucky for me, people from Los Alamos said they'd handle it.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

When I want great prices, I go to Abe's.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

A number of years ago, my wife and I were members of a large choir that made a two week trip to Germany and Austria. I was a member of the team preparing the travel guide booklet for the group, and was assigned to do the section on duties. I learned some interesting things.

Dutiable items are subject to import duty each and every time they enter the United States. It is not just the initial entry that creates a potential liability.

The form that is used to document items of foreign manufacture taken out of the country to exempt them from assessment of duty upon return is a controlled form. You cannot take a blank one and fill it out. You must bring your items to the Customs office, complete the form, have it verified and signed, then you can take it with you. Part of the process will include blocking any unused space so that other items cannot be added later. Serial numbers are required for each item. There are two different forms for this. Here is from the Federal Register:

CBP Forms 4457 and 4455 are used to provide a convenient means of showing proof of prior possession of a foreign made item taken on a trip abroad and later returned to the United States. This registration is restricted to articles with serial numbers or other distinctive, permanently affixed unique markings, and are valid for reuse as long as the document legible to identify the registered articles. CBP Forms 4457 and CBP Form 4455 are provided for by 19 CFR 10.8, 10.9, 10.68, 148.1, 148.8, 148.32 and 148.37.

The Customs Officer will not call Nikon to ask if your Z8 is a legally imported US model when you return from abroad. If it is marked as "Made in Japan" or Thailand, or wherever, it can have duty assessed, even if legally purchased from B&H or your local camera store.

Canisdirus

I think someone is just playing fast and loose with terminology.

imagextrordinair Loc: Halden, Norway

I have traveled so many times with camera gear overseas i have lost count and have never been questioned. If it is in a new package in your luggage during a return and you feel you need to declare it, you can have fees, but otherwise it just is not an issue...

I usually carry two hard cases, 3 or more cameras, 6 or more lenses, and countless accessories with batteries. Never once did I ever get a raised eyebrow or any questions.

FreddB Loc: PA - Delaware County

And, where do you go when you actually want merchandise?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

My wife and I took several Caribbean cruises. In those islands, liquor was available for very low prices, like $1.00 for a bottle of rum. They sold it in four-packs because that was all you were allowed to bring back home. As we exited the ship, we saw those four-packs stranded all over the floor. People didn't want to go to the trouble of doing the paperwork and paying what was probably a small fee for the extra bottles they bought.

Speaking of cameras, I recall having my camera "certified" or something, so that I could bring it home without any trouble. That was back in the 1970s. I wonder if that's still a thing.

Lagoonguy Loc: New Smyrna Beach, FL

The prices are great, what follows not so much.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I buy all the time from Japan, many items are well over $1000.00. Never paid any duties on any photo equipment from Japan through Ebay.

User ID

You live in NY. WTF is your problem anywho ?