VERY random question about buying things from Hong Kong [Archive]

View Full Version : VERY random question about buying things from Hong Kong

Kikoskia

12-01-2006, 08:49 AM

David J.

12-01-2006, 11:09 AM

Since I live in the states, and customs are rather lax, when recieveing packages over the mail from another country.... coming back in to the country is a bitch tho. Anyway, I beleive it really is up to customs. I've heard horror stories, where some people will pay a lot to get something out of customs, or pay next to nothing to get something out.

So it's a real crap shoot.

Genesis Knight

12-01-2006, 12:01 PM

I got fined heavily on a DVD from Canada recently, if that helps you.

Elusive

12-01-2006, 01:08 PM

Simple question here. How much would I be expected to pay in temrs of duty and tax? The item and postage is about £10, but I am sceptical that I could be charged a fortune in duty on the item, a CD.

What do you think? I know most of you aren't english, but I would like your opinion on this before I commit to buying.

I ordered a couple of audio CDs from PlayAsia a while back, and I don't remember anything wallet-burning about Customs duties - hell, it might have been included in the postage price. Some slightly shady shops will mark a package incorrectly (say, as clothing to avoid electrical import fees), but if the box gets opened for inspection as it arrives into the country and they find out, you could be taken to court. With it being Christmas season, you can bet they'll be checking things more than usual.

Check the site's terms and conditions. Somewhere in the fine print it should mention Customs duties for foreign countries, and whether it's included in the displayed price or whether it's a hidden fee you have to pay.

Thing is, Customs is kind of vague about tax on imported goods, primarily because most of the legislation dates to the late eighties. Electrical equipment has one rate that's a percentage of the item's total worth, whereas if it has a video function you add another percentage. It might be cheaper to go Christmas shopping in the States thanks to the $-£ rate (fraction under £1=$2, I believe), but you need to declare your goods on returning in Blighty so they can get you to pay tax on the imports :)

edit:

http://global.yesasia.com/help/topic.aspx?topicId=886&lang=en

As a token of appreciation, YesAsia.com will now pay the VAT (Value Added Tax) and custom duties for orders shipped to the United Kingdom and Germany by Standard Shipping method. In other words, customers choosing the Standard Shipping method for their orders to UK and Germany can enjoy VAT-FREE offer at YesAsia.com.

Note for U.K. and Germany shoppers:
If you use Standard Shipping, you should not be charged VAT fees. In the event that fees are incurred, you may contact our Customer Service Department to request a refund in YesAsia Credit. Please note that an official receipt from your local customs agent or from our logistics agent is required to successfully claim a refund. Our customer service team will guide you through the procedure once we receive your refund request.

They pay the import tax, basically. I guess it's factored into the price.

Rusty Venture

12-01-2006, 04:53 PM

I ordered a DVD and some other gaming stuff from Lik-Sang nd i wasn't hit with any import tax.

Ordered a DVD from Japan and didn't get hit with any tax.

Sent a Genesis 3 system and some CD's to a friend in England and he didn't have to pay any import tax.

The first two are the outcomes of living in the US, the country of inconsistent import taxes. The third was...well, a "gift".

Kikoskia

12-01-2006, 05:05 PM

They pay the import tax, basically. I guess it's factored into the price.

That is what I wanted to know the most. I am buying it FROM PlayAsia. It's nice to know that there'll be no extra charge. :)

Thank you all, for your input. I now know it's safe for me to buy it. It's the soundtrack to Shock Troopers 2nd Squad, been looking for that game and it's music for a long time. :D