Customs duty/ penalty for used and old items.

[thatguy]

Some more data:

India vows to fight liberal import of used goods - Economic Times

Makes sense. Since the govt can't fight Pakistan, can't fight jihad and can't fight China. Import-Export of used goods seems like a good battle.

 

[NetFreak]

On arrival at Mumbai air port after immigration you will be greeted with air port staff/boys working at the baggage claim area that they would help you clear all your items for you. They warn you that if you go on your own you will have to pay more than what they are asking and on top of that I'll have to open my luggage and take all the stuff out.
It's a tricky situation for you and you have packed all your stuff well.

This has changed drastically in last few months. Not such offers are nowhere to be seen in baggage claim area and mumbai customs is actually very straight-forward now a days with travelers.

In my last 2 trips, I just walked through red channel and paid 600 - 800 Rs as duty (for part above 25k). Having everything itemized and with original bill does help in this case.

It is a completely different ballgame if things are imported via a different route like TOR or via Courier. Their malpractice is rampant.

 

[captrajesh]

walk through red channel and be ready to pay the duty. They get pissed off and let you go for free

Is that the experience speaking or wishful thinking?

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

"pissed" (I guess you mean the American usage of the word!) customs officers, anywhere in the world, are dangerous. These are people with very real power to come between you and your freedom

 

[anm]

hmm I think I meant frustrated. Their powers are useless when you want to declare and pay the duty and ask for correct duty rate chart and stuff.

Capt - actual experience @ delhi airport.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Well, law officers can always find some way to make people suffer, if that's what gets into their mind --- but yes, I see what you mean.

My one experience of brandishing invoices at the red channel here was to be smartly redirected to the green channel. I guess they couldn't be bothered. There was probably duty to be paid, but probably a very small amount. They didn't know that, though: they didn't even look at the paper!

 

[jsbhavsar]

This will indirectly mean that if we try to order a old Telefunken tube radio or Grundig tube radio from international sites like ebay then there maybe trouble waiting here in India. Already such fully restored radios cost $300 on the international market and if we have to face another cash trouble here it will be a messy situation.
Moreover, the seller may handle the product well but after landing here if it manhandled then it could be useless.

 

[Audio_Freek]

Hi FM's

Could you suggest whether I could import used Tweeter for my JBL L 20t Speakers ? Due to the age of the Tweeters they are being Slightly Noisy . Hence searched for the replacement within India, as usual nothing available to my search.

Checked Ebay i found a tweeter (which is used) as JBL no longer manufacture the model.

So Like to know whether the used Raw drivers could be imported India, Also how much they would charge for the Customs. Since Am bit sentimental with the speaker, I am going ahead to spend on it.

Any advice or suggestion would would clear my path to make a decision.

Thanks

 

[Audio_Freek]

Any suggestion on the request please..

 

[Fantastic]

Search for the thread with links to customs duty calculation.

Find the HS code for speakers ( doesn't matter if it's old or a tweeter......it's just a 'speaker' ) you will find the duty rate .
Saying it's old may not help. Don't say second hand ! You need to declare the actual value ( you bought it for ) and know the shipping charge. Keep copies of the payment email if there is an argument.

I've got tubes listed as 'Old tubes'. I was charged a reasonable duty at times and none at other times.

 

[Audio_Freek]

Fantastic,
Thanks a lot for your advice and suggestion. If the Indian Customs are fine to import the speakers, Sure I could pay for them with value and get the items delivered.

I was in impression that Used speakers are restricted inside India :-(,So thought of checking in forum before I could place the Order.Just to be on safer side. Just to make sure they will not categorize the item as prohibited and block me from reaching my hands.

Also like to know whether the customs charge needs to be paid directly in the Custom office at Mumbai? Or the items would be inspected in my home city (Bangalore)

 

[manniraj]

I would suggest to use the services like ishopinternational.com or the Borderlinx.com or some other courier agencies who will take care of customs and make sure that it gets door delivered.

 

[Audio_Freek]

Manniraj,

Thanks for you advice, But the courier part is decided by the Seller(Probably the known one or near by)hence am unable to influence on it.

Just know that ,one the item reach India, it would be in the hands of the customs department for clearance.


My only concerns are they should not block it since its a Used item :-(, I am happy to pay the Duty as per the procedure.

I am going to give a try, its a costly try, But no option left now.Will post experience once it turns out.

 

[manniraj]

Manniraj,

Thanks for you advice, But the courier part is decided by the Seller(Probably the known one or near by)hence am unable to influence on it.

Just know that ,one the item reach India, it would be in the hands of the customs department for clearance.


My only concerns are they should not block it since its a Used item :-(, I am happy to pay the Duty as per the procedure.

I am going to give a try, its a costly try, But no option left now.Will post experience once it turns out.

When I say use sites like ishopinternational or borderlinx they are the collecting/courier agencies. You just need to register on their site and ask the seller to ship the order to these agencies warehouse and then these agencies will in-turn will ship to India and will take care of customs.

 

[Fantastic]

Maniraj is correct.
The mentioned companies are courier companies and will handle customs themselves. You have to pay them when the item is delivered at your door. You do not have to meet anyone. That's a big plus point. ( not sure if they collect customs duty in advance!).
If you send by speed post parcel it will go to India Post and they will charge you duty when they deliver , or ask you to pick it up if it's too big. You don't have to meet anyone specifically but their duty evaluation is unpredictable AND they take a very long time to deliver after going in for customs evaluation. Tiny things take up to 1 month at times !

With Amazon it just gets delivered to the door and they charge the correct customs duty ( in advance--when you pay for the item), sometimes even lower than what we expect ! So nothing additional to pay.
Ebay however depends on what delivery scheme you pick. Courier is the most expensive but duty as said is arranged by the courier and it arrives faster and you pay duty on delivery. If you pick a cheaper method it comes via India Post and it's unpredictable duty and delivery times. ( original dispatch is via China post ( for china) or some other Government service).

Don't rush out to buy. Check all options first. Email the other companies mentioned by Maniraj and see what you are getting into.

 

[Audio_Freek]

Thanks Fantastic, I shall check the possible options before placing Order.Have placed the request to the seller on whether he could send over Borderlinx.

 

[jsmithe]

IIRC, Borderlinx now does customs duty on a COD basis (i.e.) you pay the actual customs duty to the courier whereas earlier the customs duty was included in the shipping cost charged by Borderlinx.

What happens if the customs payment is wrong?

 

[Fantastic]

This is funny. I went to the Borderlinx web site and entered a value of Rs6000/- for Amplifier tubes and shipping weight of 2 lbs ( about 1kg) and box of 4x5x6 inches.

Look at the result:
Shipping cost * INR 1843.52 USD 29
Tax & Duty INR 105282.77 USD 1656.18
Shipt protection INR 6674.81 USD 105.00
Total cost to pay INR 113801.10 USD 1790.18

Duty listed at Rs 1,05,282/77 !!!

Are they from another planet ?

 

[Audio_Freek]

This is funny. I went to the Borderlinx web site and entered a value of Rs6000/- for Amplifier tubes and shipping weight of 2 lbs ( about 1kg) and box of 4x5x6 inches.

Look at the result:
Shipping cost * INR 1843.52 USD 29
Tax & Duty INR 105282.77 USD 1656.18
Shipt protection INR 6674.81 USD 105.00
Total cost to pay INR 113801.10 USD 1790.18

Duty listed at Rs 1,05,282/77 !!!

Are they from another planet ?

hyeah: Might be from Mars .. But this isn't funny for me Since am about to use their service.

 

[Naturelover]

This is funny. I went to the Borderlinx web site and entered a value of Rs6000/- for Amplifier tubes and shipping weight of 2 lbs ( about 1kg) and box of 4x5x6 inches.

Look at the result:
Shipping cost * INR 1843.52 USD 29
Tax & Duty INR 105282.77 USD 1656.18
Shipt protection INR 6674.81 USD 105.00
Total cost to pay INR 113801.10 USD 1790.18

Duty listed at Rs 1,05,282/77 !!!

Are they from another planet ?

Can you enter value in Rupees? I suspect it has read it as $6000.
USD is the default currency.