Novel Ideas for Importing Speakers

Lets assume X goes to a country where a pair of (a)bookshelf or (b)floor standing speakers (X has been gagging for) is half the price for which it is available here...

What options would X have to bring them over to India?

Solution 1->Bookshelf speakers: Throw away all other stuff and pack the speakers into your check-in luggage...

20kg max limit though..

good going buddy

Okay, while we're indulging in fantasy, how about this... disassemble the speakers completely and bring it back to India in parts. You can't be taxed for... a crossover assembly... a pair of drivers... an empty cabinet... spikes and covers and so on. Divide parts between multiple companions or trips for better results.

I owe you mate! I had idea in the past and even ventured dismantling some stuff (secret ), but shelved the idea as some of my friends confused me regarding customs etc.


Still can't I put everthing in a container in dismantled condition, ship it along with other House hold stuffs under transfer of residency law [once in every 3 year I guess].

You can absolutely ship it under transfer of residence, provided you can prove it. For e.g.your passport will have a stamp with the date, amount, etc so you cant make use of this too often :-)
Even used stuff for household have customs duty on it, generally the duty is quite low. You can ofcourse get stuff in knocked down condition, but it will limited to one or two components. But under TR, you dont need to bring it knocked down condition since the duty is low anyways.
If you get too many of these, you will invite unnecessary attention. Customs guys are also up to date on many brands and their value, they have a database of prices which is shared on a worldwide basis. If you do get very expensive stuff or big brand name equipment, the chances of your paying duty is much higher.
hope that helps

Darn...foiled again.

Okay, from my personal observations, this is how the customs guy checks if they should check/open your luggage or not; they check if there are any locks on your check-in luggage right after you pick it up from the belt...

odyssey / Particleman: thanks for sharing the knowledge, Yes i've loads of stuff to bring. Having said that i don't have plans to escape from customs duty, still need to be resonable though

saikat: sorry to hijack your thread, i'll shut up after this post I did imported several stuff in that way (never crossed >INR25000), once caught by chennai customs guys, but I had the proof showing the items valued <INR25000

if you cn do a TR then nothing like it. its once in 4 years with proof of having stayed more than 2 years and with proof that it is a return back to the country. speakers are NOT taxed if you can prove them to be used.

if NOT TR then only option is request an undervaluation to a much smaller amount..many distributors oblige. so customs is lower.

Thanks ARJ for the info, I've to do this ASAP as this would be the last chance for us as my wife also gives up Indian citizenship early next year.

Good reason to buy more AV stuff