Important information for overseas customers wishing to send equipment to us for repair / service

The only way we can receive overseas repairs, servicing or repaints is by DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)

🇺🇸 Information for U.S. Customers (Effective 29th August 2025)

Due to recent U.S. tariff changes and the removal of the $800 de minimis exemption, all shipments to the United States are now subject to import duties, regardless of value.

Repairs & Services:
When returning repaired or serviced equipment, the customs value is based on the repair/service cost (not the full value of the camera). Import duties are then charged as a percentage on top of this cost.

Duty Rates (added to your repair/service cost):
- Leica cameras made in Germany (any year): +15%
- Leica cameras made in Canada (Midland): +0–4%
- Leica lenses (Germany or Canada): approx. +2.3%
- Accessories & spares: typically +5–6%

How this works:
These duties are collected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). We pay them in advance through Royal Mail’s PDDP service. This ensures your parcel arrives without delays or extra charges on delivery. If ordering items from our store, shipping rates shown include prepaid duties. Your order arrives without customs delays.

Sending your Leica Equipment to us for repair from outside of the UK

At cameraworks-uk, we strive to make the repair process as simple as possible while ensuring smooth handling through customs. Don’t worry—the customs section can seem complicated at first, but it’s simpler than it looks. Just follow our clear steps, and you’ll have everything completed in no time. If you’re unsure about anything, feel free to contact us—we’re here to help.

Overseas Customers – Please Read Before Sending!

When sending your Leica equipment to us for repair, please follow these guidelines carefully. Incorrect paperwork or shipping methods can cause delays or additional costs.

1. Shipping Method
We only accept repairs sent on a Delivered Duty Paid (DDP Incoterms) basis. This means that all customs charges and handling fees must be prepaid by you, the sender. If they are not, the shipment may be refused or returned. As far as we're aware, DDP is not available through Post Offices. You will probably have to use one of the specialist carriers like FedEx, UPS, DHL etc.

2. Customs Declaration
When completing the customs form, we recommend the following wording:

Description: “Leica [camera / lens / accessory] sent for repair – no change in ownership” If there is insufficient room in the "Description" section, use the "Additional Information" section.

HS Code or Tariff Code: Use the correct 6-digit international code(s) for each item.

Example codes:
Cameras: 9006 30
Lenses: 9002 11
Light meters: 9027 80

Rangefinder (removed from camera) 9006 91

Customs Value: Declare the repair cost or a price as close as possible (from our price list) as the customs value. Example: if your chosen service is £399, declare £399 not the actual value of the equipment.

Informational Value: For transparency, you may also add: “Estimated market value e.g. £1,500 (for informational purposes only).” This should go in the “Additional Information” section.

Reason for Export: Select Repair or Maintenance if available. If not, select 'Other' and state: “Equipment sent for repair – no change in ownership.” You can write this in the "Additional Information" section.

Customs Procedure Code (CPC): Please add “CPC 6121 – No Change in Ownership” in the “Additional Information” section. This makes clear that the goods are being repaired, not sold.

3. Choosing the Right Repairs/Service

Please review our price list to choose the repair(s) you require. Use these figures as the basis of your declared customs value. This avoids customs authorities incorrectly charging duties on the full equipment value.

Important: Some carriers, especially in the EU, do not clearly label shipping services as “DDP.” In practice, what matters is that all U.K. import fees are prepaid at the point of sending. If your courier cannot offer DDP directly, choose the closest equivalent service that allows you to pay all charges upfront.

Please avoid postal services that send unpaid customs charges to us on arrival — we cannot accept these.

Commercial Invoice.

Most big carriers automatically produce a commercial invoice (when required). This is just a more formal version of the CN23 customs sticker that is attached to the outside of the box, usually in triplicate. Please use all of the details above under the Customs Declaration section in order to complete the form if required although this is usually automatically generated after answering all of the customs questions.

4. Packaging Advice:

Ensure your equipment is securely packaged to avoid damage in transit. Use bubble wrap and a sturdy double-walled cardboard box, and avoid including accessories unless necessary for the repair. Make sure labels are printed and securely attached along with three copies of the commercial invoice customs form in a document wallet or CN23 customs sticker. Do not forget to enclose a booking form or letter inside.

5. Confirmation:

Once your equipment is shipped, email us the tracking details at admin@cameraworks-uk.com so we can anticipate its arrival.

By following these steps, you help streamline the process and ensure a quick turnaround. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

When we Return your Repaired Equipment:

When returning your repaired Leica equipment, we follow specific procedures to ensure smooth customs clearance:

1. Customs Valuation:

We declare the cost of the repair, not the value of the equipment. For example, if we serviced a Leica M3 for £399, this repair charge is used as the customs valuation. No VAT is added to this amount.

2. Customs Procedure:

We use a special customs procedure to notify authorities of the repair cost. While we include an estimated market value for the equipment (e.g., “Market value: £1,500”) for informational purposes only, this does not affect the customs valuation.

3. VAT Charges in the EU:

When we send your equipment back to the EU, we do not charge VAT but it will be added when it arrives in your country and is typically charged based on the repair cost as would be the case if you had the repairs done locally. Often there is a small administrative fee added.

4. Import Duties:

EU Customers: For most Leica equipment, no import duties are applied since the items are typically tariff-free. In rare cases, equipment manufactured outside the EU may incur a duty of approximately 6%.

USA Customers: Please read the header at the top of this page.

5. Responsibility for Import Charges:

Import charges are calculated by your local customs or tax authorities and remain your responsibility. If you believe the charges are incorrect, most authorities provide a process for challenging their calculations.

We aim to ensure that your equipment is returned to you as smoothly as possible. If you have any specific concerns about customs or import charges, please contact us before shipping.