Importing from Japan

Hi.   Just out of interest, has anyone imported any camera gear into UK form Japan recently?  I need to buy some new strobes, and prices from Japan seem good.   However I haven't been able to fathom out the import tax/duties payable.  20% VAT plus tax would cancel out any saving!  Thanks.  Pete

Unless you ,cough cough, "underdeclare", you will need to pay customs, and above certain amount also VAT. Plus any ridiculous "processing" fees carrier will impose for that pleasure. Also, if it goes via normal mail, it will end up with ParcelFarce, which will refuse to deliver or release the package until you pay (which i believe was actually technically illegal in UK but good luck fighting them)
Other option, find somebody traveling Japan->UK, and see if they wouldn't mind carrying "their" strobes
Ask you local boarding community, normally one can meet lots of UK folks in Niseko during the winter.

When i was still living in UK, i actually bought strobes from Fotografit in DK. Yeah I know there is a dealer of Inon in UK, but it was approximately 100 GBP (at that time) more, and with only 1 year of warranty, meanwhile DK was both significantly cheaper and offered 2 years. Still rocking those two strobes, Z240s are indestructible

Many thanks for that, makar0n.  It is what I expected!  I'm no fan of ParcelFarce either....

I will check out Fotografit - I've got a feeling the Lady Wife has bought from them before.

My Z240s have finally died - the capacitors have lost the will to live (posted in another Wetpixel forum).  Good luck with yours!
Best regards.  Pete

Sorry to hear that. Got mines in 2014, literally 0 problems since. (other than the pre-flash button being stuck but since i have started giving them a nice warm bath after each trip that is no longer any issue).

Did you try to email Inon and ask for service, out of the curiosity ? Might be still way cheaper than new strobes.
info@inon.co.jp
They are pretty fast with responses (other than the time difference)

Thanks again, makar0n.  I haven't thought about Inon service - but that is more out of prejudice than reason!  I'll give them a try and let you know how I get on.  Pete

20 hours ago, aeromole said:

Thanks again, makar0n.  I haven't thought about Inon service - but that is more out of prejudice than reason!  I'll give them a try and let you know how I get on.  Pete

Have you thought about asking Kevin at Aquaphot? He replaced the circuit boards on some old strobes of mine a few years ago. Again, could be cheaper than new? 

Try service@aquaphot.com

27 minutes ago, JustinO said:

Have you thought about asking Kevin at Aquaphot? He replaced the circuit boards on some old strobes of mine a few years ago. Again, could be cheaper than new? 

Try service@aquaphot.com

Ha great idea..i think back in the days he was also an authorized Inon service center, guess might still be, so Inon might send you to him anyways
 

Unfortunately Kevin has no new repair parts, only bits recovered from scrapped units.  I'm going to start looking for a bank to rob. 

Inon have also now replied.  Their take is that the tubes deteriorate and get a brownish tinge (mine don't).  Repair is by replacement of the whole board, but these are no longer available. 

Still looking for that bank.....difficult now they no longer inhabit the high street!!!

Hmm that is indeed not so good. I was hoping Inon at least still stores some spare parts around, but guess maybe for the Type4 but not older ;/

Sadly no banks.....but you do have two kidneys and supposedly only one is needed