Buying a Z30 and using it in Germany. Any thoughts?

Hi!
I will be in the USA for 4 more weeks and while I love my Q10, it is tempting to give the Z30 a try. The cheapest price for a Z30 in Germany is 590 dollars for a new one so I am contemplating whether to get a Z30 through shopblackberry.com. Accessories are exorbitantly high in the states, but 500 bucks is 90 lower than in my home country, not too shabby.

However, several issues exist:
Will the frequency bands work with German carriers (I am with Vodafone Germany over there and think I might switch to Deutsche Telekom)?
What happens in case I need my device serviced? AFAIK, BB does not have a direct German support center anymore. I guess I could send it to the USA, right?
What would happen if the customs guys catch me at the airport with my Z30?

If somebody has some answers to at least one of my questions, I'd highly appreciate it!
-pac

There are no problems using the bands in the 100-5 phone in Europe. My T-MOBILE Z10 with the same bands worked great on a recent trip to Wein and M�nchen . I've used these same bands in Spain.



Posted via CB10

I just saw that I have to 19% tax on importing items from the USA. This will make the Z30 more expansive than it is in Germany. :(
-pac

Google Reisefreimenge.

You can import goods up to 430EUR without having to pay taxes. That's roughly 588USD. So if you stay below 430 EUR you should be fine.

Be aware , if you would buy one item exceeding the limit you would have to pay taxes on the full price of the item and not only on the exceeding amount.

Posted via CB10

430€ is the customs-free price. An "Einfuhrumsatzsteuer" applies to every item.
Besides, I've got told in the German facebook group BB10/QNX that Germany uses the STL100-2 and I might not be able to use LTE with the STL100-5. :(
-pac

Originally Posted by pacman84

430� is the customs-free price. An "Einfuhrumsatzsteuer" applies to every item.
Besides, I've got told in the German facebook group BB10/QNX that Germany uses the STL100-2 and I might not be able to use LTE with the STL100-5. :(
-pac

You have to pay Einfuhrumsatzsteuer only if you exceed the 430 EUR limit.

http://importeur-werden.de/weihnacht...k-aus-den-usa/



Posted via CB10

Oh thanks! Still, not being able to use LTE is a deal breaker for me.
-pac

Posted via CB10

OP this should help you figure out frequencies.. As for where you buy it, I'm not sure if there's a price difference in Germany and the US.. (directly from BlackBerry)

Posted via CB10

Indi: what will?
-pac

Posted via CB10

According to the Wikipedia list of LTE networks, the Band 7 networks are downtown only in Germany. STA100-5 has Bands 4, 5, and 7 LTE. Bands 3 and 20 are more widespread..., and you need the STA100-2 for those.

Alright thanks for the clarification. I was afraid that would be the case. Well. It would really be luxury to get a Z30 anyway.
-pac

Posted via CB10

Originally Posted by pacman84

I just saw that I have to 19% tax on importing items from the USA. This will make the Z30 more expansive than it is in Germany. :(
-pac

Just don't declare it:D Seriously F*ck Tax! 19% is ludicrous and I'm Canadian. Just hide it in your dirty clothes and live on the edge. Also if you are paying in euro's that would put you way ahead anyways.

BlackBerry Z30 Smartphone 5 Zoll wei�: Amazon.de: Elektronik

430�
441�

100-2 in Germany is doubtful. Again, I've not had a problem with my 100-5. It is hard to think DeutscheTelekom would have their US entity use incompatible bands. Get the band frequencies in DE and then match them up for the accurate assessment.

Posted via CB10

I've been told that if you use a non-2 device in Germany, you won't get updates via your carrier. It all seems like it's not worthwhile.

But now that the white Z30 is out... so tempting!
-pac

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