Hi, I just put out a message asking for help about gearing up a 20d, but I didný refere the prices I have access to here in Portugal, there is only one dealer and these are his prices:
Ikelite housing 6871.20 - 1818€ thats 2197 USD
each ds125 complete kit strobe - 1146€ THATS 1385 USD
Is this too steep? Thanks

I do not know how that compares to average prices in europe, but that is much higher than what it would cost in the US. It would be cheaper to buy at B&H in the US www.bhphotovideo.com and have them ship it to you.

Yep,

That is too much, even for european prices.
Housing in Holland about € 1.200,-

I have good experiences with BH. You do have to count that you have to pay taxes and importfee to your customs.

I know that sales and import taxes in England are very high... Is that the the case in Portugal as well?

Just checked B&H AND PRICES ARE ABOUT HALF, AMAZING. However they don´t talk about taxes, how do you calculate them?
Nuno.

To the prices of B&H (or other over the sea resources) you have to add the shipping cost (you can check it in their site) and the local taxes that your country has.

Just got word from the customs, taxes for ikelite housing and 2 DS125 are 840USD, crazy. Does anyone know were to order gear at a good price inside the EU?

You still save about €1000 after paying the tax and and shipping by buying it from B&H.

They want approximatelly. €1600 (including 22% VAT) for that housing in Poland. I thought it was way too steep. I had someone bring one for me from US.
The price difference is so big that it covers the cost of flying to US and picking it at BH yourself. Actually, for €400 I could probably fly from Poland to Holland as well, and have a nice weekend there.

Some goverments/dealers are sooo greedy...

the VAT is responsible for about 20 %, so that shouldnt be much more then 200-300. In the nl there are import duties on photo equipment as well ( but not that much i suppose. Small dealers probably have to cover the shipment costs as well.

Even buying at ebay, i had some shipments intercepted by customs. Luckily they accept the ebay bill as a proof of purchase. (PS trying to slip it through customs is smuggling, but i won't hold it against you :-)

Azorean,

If you'd like to get away from the winter cold for a while, prices here in Singapore are about half of what you listed. So for the same price, you'd get a nice holiday here, a couple of ports, two sync cords, and spare cash for a dim sum feast

Cheers,
Mat

Hi azorean
I have the same problem here in Germany. I looked around for Ds125 (set)strobes and could only find them for about 1199€ which is a bit heavy. So I looked over the pond to America and found B+H, which sells them for 820$ with shipping(63$)= 883$, then comes the import tax, about 3.2%, plus value added tax 16%(here in Germany), so change all that into € and you get 891,90€. I even added 2% for visa.
Ps. We would love to do some diving in Portugal in the sommer

cheers
Ted

Prices in Europe are offen very high for some items..

Very offen the shops just ask for to much money.. becauce a they have a monopol and b they are just looking for money...

Id now somebody tell me... yes lambi but the suport and everything that you get in a shop... bla bla bla..

In some cases thast true some Lonodn shops have great support but in most cases dont metter if you buy in europe or in USA...

I know the oposite fall. One european housing company
ask for ca 1500 euros more if you order directly form the company...
if you order the same housing in USA its 1500 euro less money....

Why becauce they whant to get the shares is USA but they feel secure in europe.. its about marketing...

So Ted if you whant d125 strobes order them from RYAN its a great wetpixel sponsor and a gret guy to deal with
http://reefphotovideo.com/

Lambis

Triggerfish (which are sometimes to be seen in Galicia / Portugal)

I think you're right. I had a synch cord deliverd by B&H and the customs "missed" it. If you're prepared to pay the taxes, that is the maximum price.

if it is specifically Ikelite you want, consider that ikelite has great service, but will not let the dealers touch anything. Big repairs and updates are always done in the states.

Gerard