Comments on Profile Post by EagleWings

Canadian so thankfully we don't get charged on imports on Schiit. Happens occasionally but we can get it back due to NAFTA or whatever it's called now. Otherwise, I've had to pay anywhere up to 30% extra in duties, depending on what the inspection officer decides to label a product as.

The most duty I've paid was 20% extra for SW51+. For Schiit stuff, there's a retailer here but with 100~120% price hike. Bought Modi Multibit for $450 basically. I have learned to buy it straight from Schiit from now on.

I'm in China and I checked the import duty for audio equipment, it's 20%. And I can use some freight forwarders to dodge the duty, for items < $300. Don't know whether you can get similar service in India?

@Ti_Leo , it used to be easy in the past, as I could furnish a fake, lower-valued invoice to the forwarding company and get charged a lower duty. But recently, customs have started demanding valid proof of purchase, else they sometimes open the package and google the product and find out its actual value.

I have SW51+ coming...will let you know. But 55% is too much...however I feel with all taxes etc on top of duty it will be around 55%

If it is an individual seller or a boutique brand, we could make 2 payments and produce the lower amount's transaction details. My friend did that for a $1800 tube amp. He split it into $1500 and $300. But because the package was huge and heavy, he got charged 100% in duty on $300.

@EagleWings I see, If I use normal service, the customs would require the same info here. But shipping items into China, apart from the duty-dodging method, the freight forwarders can also provide EMS shipping, which would be only checked by the customs by chance, not every time. I don't know how those freight forwarders operates, it seems that China's got a complicated system of duty...

13% in Russia if the amount is more than 200 euro. You pay duties from the difference of invoice amount and 200 euro.

@EagleWings , be very happy you got charged only 55%. India customs are currently charging 100% on certain items. You and I live in the same state so talk to me if you want to.

@Koth Ganesh , yes Nitish was telling me about it. It's ridiculous to say the least. Bought the Modius from Schiit directly, as I needed a DAC very badly and HeadphoneZone said the ETA for Bifrost 2 was at least 2 months.

How long did customs hold on to it?

It cleared customs in no time. It reached Benagaluru yesterday evening and it was released at midnight. Btw, it was shipped via FedEx.

What! In France standard for me is about 23%.

Extra-fees do manage to crop up for processing or whatever BS. I need to be better with paperwork in order to save money.

I did buy a cable last year and I ended up paying 40% more somehow.

Now I'm worried for the amount I have to pay for SW51+

@Ksaurav402 , where are you receiving it? And how much have you declared as its worth?

The rates are about the same for the Philippines which is why stuff like JBL LSR305s etc cost approx twice what they do in the USA. This is why I often avail of the services of a reputable forwarding service with US addresses— they're not cheap, but they're reliable and still less expensive than local.

@Koth Ganesh will receive it in Ranchi where I'm stuck right now due to Covid. Hasn't been shipped yet but will talk to Zampo to see if something can be done regarding the value of item.

My earlier comments were with respect to FedEx as a carrier. This will probably come via EMS and then by Indiapost (unless you have specified FedEx). Pre lockdown duty was 42%. So be prepared for duty in the 425-100% range. Sorry mate, I cannot be more precise. But it is a fact that duty rates have gone up since March of this year. The cess and additional irritants have also increased.

@Lyander What's the name of the forwarding service that you use, may I ask? I was tempted, but they all look sketchy to me.

@obsiCO Johnny Air Padala, been using em for years. Not sure if they have sites in Thailand but maybe you could ask people around your place what's worked for em? Test with items you wouldn't mind losing as much, and then cover your butt by ensuring insurance and documenting progress.

@Ksaurav402 , can Zampotech ship using DHL? DHL has worked well for me in the past. You'd still get hit with duty. But unlike EMS, they won't open your package, provided the customs form is filled out clearly and, won't hold your package for months together. If you haven't already made the payment, might be better to split the payment into 2. Cont..

1st pmt = $300 and 2nd pmt = $90. This way, even in case customs dept asks you to produce the Paypal invoice, you can show the $90 invoice, so you don't end up paying a huge amount even if they charge around 100% in duty. Make sure the $90 invoice has all the details of the amp.

Do you guys here import used stuff into India? Had an idea that there was some rule about not allowing import of used electronics.

DHL, fedex, have their own arrangements with customs, and /everything/ gets declared if not examined

Don't ever put used goods or repaired good in the invoice. Customs does not take kindly to it.

Thanks for this tip. I imported a used pair of IEMs once and fortunately, the seller did not put 'used'. It was shipped via FedEx and the seller had described the content as 'Electronics'. So FedEx asked me to write a letter explaining, what the electronic was, how I intend on using it and why I had to purchase it from abroad.

Wow! That is a mess!

These things can easily become a mess here. The couriers have to have ID proof and what they call KYC "Know Your Customer" stuff. I had a package delayed because it was addressed to Ginathom Thad instead of Thad Ghinathom. Had to do an F'in affidavit that I was the same person either way!!! Seriously.