The 30-minute recording limit for non-camcorders is slowly but surely decreasing
[10:45 Fri,11.May 2018 by Rudi Schmidts]
Older people still remember the DV-in problems with the first DV camcorder models. While models from outside the EU could also play back their digital films to a DV tape via the camera, the digital input of the camera was blocked on European models. At the time, this was particularly painful because there were still hardly any affordable archive media for edited digital videos. A DV tape with around 12 GB of storage space was already the biggest of the feelings. But unfortunately, the blocked entrance separated many filmmakers from this extremely cheap backup option.
The reason for this was customs: at that time, cameras that could also record a video signal were occupied as video recorders with a higher duty rate (14% instead of 4.9%). And that meant that video cameras with digital inputs had to be offered in stores at least 10 percent more expensive than comparable devices without DV-in. But corresponding hacks were quickly found and a lively bustle of IT activation services and increasingly protected IT inputs developed from this. Until, until the subject of IT archiving became uninteresting of its own accord due to better alternatives. But the duties were not set forever either. In July 2018, for example, the duty rate for video cameras with input will fall from 7.0 to 3.5 percent. And as of July 1, 2019, about 14 months from now, it will even disappear completely.
And this leads us directly to "customs problems" with current cameras. While DV-In no longer plays a role at all, since the advent of cameras with film function there has been an additional customs duty for this own category of equipment: If a camera or a camera can record 30 minutes or more in one piece, it is a video camera (even without an entrance), which in contrast to a camera is also subject to a customs charge.
This duty rate was 4.1 percent as of July 1, 2016 and is to be eliminated completely by 2021. According to Beiti's calculations from our forum, the current tariff rate should still be 2.5 percent as of July 1, 2018. At the latest by 1.6 percent in 2019, the recording restrictions on more expensive top models should then fall more frequently, as Panasonic has already done with some models in the past (including the GH5 and GH5s).
If we interpret it correctly, manufacturers could now save customs duties or the 30-minute restriction from July 1, 2019, if the camera has a video input of any kind. Or they'll have to be patient until 2021. Or they calculate some models with the increased customs duty. Or you can look around to see if there is a hack for your model to get around the limit. This can also be achieved via the hidden service menu of some cameras, whose access codes, however, usually only have authorized workshops.
Thanks to Beiti in our forum for the hint and the research
Older people still remember the DV-in problems with the first DV camcorder models. While models from outside the EU could also play back their digital films to a DV tape via the camera, the digital input of the camera was blocked on European models. At the time, this was particularly painful because there were still hardly any affordable archive media for edited digital videos. A DV tape with around 12 GB of storage space was already the biggest of the feelings. But unfortunately, the blocked entrance separated many filmmakers from this extremely cheap backup option. 
