customs.hmrc.gov.uk

2. Customs Code Committee – Mechanical/Miscellaneous Sector
428th Meeting (12 & 13 July 2007)

[…]

Digital cameras & video camera recorders

The Committee voted on a Combined Nomenclature Explanatory Note (CNEN), providing criteria to differentiate between still image digital cameras (0 per cent import duty), and video camera recorders (4.9 per cent or 12.5 per cent import duty).

The proposal states that products are classified as still image digital cameras ‘unless they are capable, using the maximum storage capacity, of recording in a quality of 800 x 600 pixels (or higher) at 23 frames per second (or higher) at least 30 minutes in a single sequence of video‘. Cameras that meet each of these criteria will be classified as video camera recorders.

The proposal did not achieve the required qualified majority from the Committee; however, it is likely that the Commission will publish the CNEN.

A Regulation covering three products was also voted on; each product achieving the required qualified majority.

The Regulation and CNEN are likely to be published in the Official Journal in September or October.

Next meeting – the next meeting is scheduled for the week commencing 15 October.

Contact: David Harris 01702 367372
Email david.harris2@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk

So – if your camera can take more than 30 minutes of video at 25+fps video at 800×600, then it’s a video camera and gets taxed extra; thus the manufacturers hack their cameras to forbid that.

Isn’t the European Union wonderful?