getting AVR from U.S.

I noticed in some threads discussion regarding getting amps etc. from the u.s. and other destinations since the prices are significantly lower... the main discussion wasnt centred around this, so didnt want to hijack the thread...

In sourcing an amp from abroad, the following issues emerge in my mind -

1. 120v versus 240v input - i have read somewhere that some models of some amps have a switch which allows you to switch over the 120v to 240v thereby removing the need for any converter etc. can anyone advise on which these models are, especially in the denon/onkyo families...

2. customs - from my understanding, one could bring in about 25,000 INR of goodies which would be exempt from customs... does this apply to electronic goods such as amps etc. as well... if not what would be the customs duty on this?

3. compatibility - are there any tech specs or compatibility issues including any geographical limitations placed on AVRs which may limit the functionality of a product from the US to play in India?

4. after sales - would after sales (whether with warranty or without) be available in india (as long as the company has presence here) even though the product was not purchased in India.

5. any other issues that the members think is relevant

in the event that this issue has been discussed elsewhere, i do apologise for taking up the space... please point me to the thread.

Thanks

Sid

These points have been discussed in detail, not together, but in separate points. Anyhow here goes.

1. 120v versus 240v input - i have read somewhere that some models of some amps have a switch which allows you to switch over the 120v to 240v thereby removing the need for any converter etc. can anyone advise on which these models are, especially in the denon/onkyo families...

Some of the models from these companies certainly do have a power switch. These are mostly sold in Europe and Japan. Unfortunately, Americans being Americans, think that the sun rises in NY and sets in SFO, and that the whole world runs in 110 volts. If you are buying from any general shop in the US, you will find it hard pressed to find an amp with a switch to change the voltage. Even online shops may have the same issue. You will have better luck with small shops that specialise in AV equipment. If you are ordering online, please call the company and check with them.

2. customs - from my understanding, one could bring in about 25,000 INR of goodies which would be exempt from customs... does this apply to electronic goods such as amps etc. as well... if not what would be the customs duty on this?

Duty on electronic items is generally 35%. Please read the following link:

http://www.hifivision.com/general-ch...hase-ebay.html

3. compatibility - are there any tech specs or compatibility issues including any geographical limitations placed on AVRs which may limit the functionality of a product from the US to play in India?

DVD Players have region code limitations. AVRs do not have any such issue. The US has a different way of specifying power. Please read about FTC, IEC, and JEITA.

4. after sales - would after sales (whether with warranty or without) be available in india (as long as the company has presence here) even though the product was not purchased in India.

Onkyo does NOT support any product bought from outside India. They also do not provide any post warranty maintenance contract. Denon also has similar issues. ProFX is very reluctant to talk to you if you do not buy from them. Yamaha - you have to get it serviced from third parties as they do not have a company service center in India. I am not aware of how Marantz behaves.

Cheers

Thanks Venkat... Seeing your responses on the forum makes one want to ask more (just to keep getting something more from the fountain of experience that is reflected there)... i mean it.

basically, if i understand the situation, it boils down to this - Any piece from outside India should be treated as a piece from grey market as far as the after sales etc. is concerned.

On the customs duty front, the thread that you forwarded speaks of "shipping"... i am more on the lines that a passenger (a friend) buys and gets it with him rather than ship it... in that situation, my impression is that the passenger can get stuff worth 25k (in my case it might be 2 or 3 people, so the value could actually even be more) without paying any duty... let me also check some resources and report if i find anything... for example, if i were to go to singapore on a business trip and carry an AVR, i dont think i have to pay duty, unless the total value of my purchases is more than 25k - and then too on non exempted goods...

Does anyone know of any specific Denon/Onkyo models which have a 120v to 240v switch? If i go down this route, i definitely do not want to live with converters... a few years ago, a family member had plugged in something without converter and whooooooooosh.... 200$ went down the drain...

Siddharth

= Correct. It applies to electronic goods as well. Anything above that limit and you have to pay flat 35% duty.

= If you are buying a receiver and planning to use it for routing video than there may be a problem since all gear there follow NTSC format whereas in India we have PAL format, I am not sure about this but I didn't find any info negating this. Also if the receiver supports some sort of up conversion of video data then you may not able to use that feature. This issues are discussed in a FAQ at Yamaha's site, and it may be applicable to most other companies too.

I have gone through this. And I don't recommend it atleast for hefty items like amplifier. I would rather you buy preowned gear in india.

I am surprised. I had posted replies to this yesterday, and they seem to have disappeared. Sigh!!! Here it goes again.

The customs rules and regulations are the same irrespective of the way you import an item. Secondly, customs will not agree to add the baggage allowance of two or more people onto one passport. They will ask who is carrying a particular item, and then the baggage rules will apply to that passport/person. Third, it does not matter how you travel for a short visit - on personal or on business - the customs rules are the same. The only difference is when you stay abroad for a long time - usually 1 year or more. If you have bills for the items you purchased, customs will allow items for a large amount without any duty. The amount depends upon your period of stay outside the country.

Siddarth, there are no specific model numbers for amps with dual voltage. When you are buying a particular model such as a Denon 1909 or a Yamaha 863, you have to ask the dealer for a unit with a dual voltage. If he has he will give you one or at least try to get you an unit. In Europe and Japan (maybe even Singapore) there is large demand for such units and thus most dealers have these units stocked.

Today, all TVs in India can play both NTSC and PAL, so that is not an issue at all. Secondly upconversion/upscaling is a universal technology and has nothing to do with a region or geography.

Cheers

I did some research too on the customs issue, and prasen appears to be correct about the value of 25k. venkat is also right when he says that there cant be "clubbing" of the values...

For greater clarity on this issue it appears that -

if you are returning from a stay abroad of more than 3 days and you are above 10 years of age, then the total value of exempt items is 25k INR. this value reduces if the stay is less than 3 days, or if the age is less than 10 years. The value is also lower of the country from where you are returning is a neighbouring country such as Nepal, BHutan, Burma, China, Pakistan... Also higher values are permissible if its a professional returning after at least 3 months or if there is a transfer of residence... The details are available at BAGGAGE RULES - (see appendix A primarily)

i dont think there will be any kind of voltage issue now a days with electronic goods from US market. i bought kenwood avr from europe and many other electronic goods from US too, they all got inbuilt to work on both voltages. and as far as duty is concern it wont be a problem if u bring it unpacked ( means without carton and not too many items). i went through red channel in chennai but they didnt charged me. but only thing problem is service. we wont get any service in india even we have worldwide warranty. even sony is not accepting world wide warranty. so that u have to think twice.