Buy from eBay, Do we need to pay import tax and duties?

[fengwei]

Dear All,

I've bought some small stuff from eBay before and got them shipped directly to me without any problem, and of course no tax lah.

Thinking about buying a DSLR from eBay, but don't know if we need to pay import tax? Anybody has done this before?

The seller says the package will be shipped over through EMS Global Express, and they won't indicate it's a gift to avoid tax stuff. Hope we don't need to pay tax on the camera.

Thanks for any input.

Cheers!

 

[Gymrat76]

Theoretically, any item over SGD$400 is subject to 5% GST. They normally leave small items alone, but for cameras, well, its 50-50. Haven't actually ordered anything large like a camera before, so am not sure what the chances of getting taxed. Maybe others who have purchased before can shed more light :think:

 

[fengwei]

Theoretically, any item over SGD$400 is subject to 5% GST. They normally leave small items alone, but for cameras, well, its 50-50. Haven't actually ordered anything large like a camera before, so am not sure what the chances of getting taxed. Maybe others who have purchased before can shed more light :think:

Thanks. If it's just %5 GST, I think I'd be okay with that, 'cause I have to pay it even we buy it from a local store. But I'm afraid they'd charge the import tax/duties.

Any others got charged before?

 

[oeyvind]

whatever you do just don;t get CON... and note that there's no international warranty for any DSLR new or used.

 

[mpenza]

yup, warranty for DSLR are local.

 

[bernards]

The courier company may also add in an admin fee to get your GST done. I can't remember exactly how much it is, should be around $20.

 

[hongsien]

Ask the seller to send by EMS (USPS does have this service), you only need to pay 5% tax at the customs. If the invoice withthe selling price is on the parcel you can pay to the postman, otherwise you have to show something where the amount paid is visible even email will do). 5% tax is over the amount paid PLUS postage! If you need to collect the parcel, the customs is at the Paya Lebar POst Office, groundfloor, left of the main entrance......in the US it is an offence to underdeclare parcels,this is why they refuse to do it.....

Hong Sien

 

[hongsien]

For EMS there is no need to pay extra fees to them, you only pay for postage and the ax at the customs.....if you use other couriers there may be extra fees involved

Hong Sien

 

[hongsien]

AND DON'T KENA CON......be very wary with too good to be true deals on the internet.....not only with cameras, but with handphones, laptops too!

Hong Sien

 

[xdivider]

yup, warranty for DSLR are local.

picked this up from dpreview while doing research

nternational Warranty Card
How to obtain an International Warranty Card?

New Pentax products do not automatically come with an international warranty that covers all Pentax products around the world. However, it is possible to obtain an International Warranty Card through Pentax U.S.A., Inc. after you have purchased a Pentax product.

If you bought your Pentax product in the United States and are traveling to a foreign country for an extended period of time, we can send you an International Warranty Card to cover your product while you are abroad. We will also send you a list of authorized service centers around the world.

To get an International Warranty Card, you will need to send us the following items:
A copy of your dated proof of purchase, with the name and address of the U.S. dealer.
The serial number on your Pentax product (if it has one).

If you bought your Pentax product in another country, and you are coming to the United States, we can send you an International Warranty Card to cover your product while you are within the United States. You will need to send us the following items:

1. A copy of your dated proof of purchase. 2.The serial number on your Pentax product (if it has one).

We will fill out an International Warranty Card and mail it to you. The time period and product coverage provided by the International Warranty Card is the same as the standard Pentax Limited Warranty (as specified above).

http://www.pentaxusa.com/service/serv_intlwarranty.cfm

In theory, looks doable if u can settle the inital hassle.....

 

[hongsien]

As far as I know Pentax is one of those that do give international to all of their products. Nikon and Canon speficially do NOT give international warranty for their DIGITAL products, don't ask me why. They do give international warranty for other products like lenses and scopes, flashes. Products bought in Hong Kong for export don't come with warranty at all(not even local).

Hong Sien

 

[xdivider]

Well, judging from local prices of niche products like *istd, it may be more worth it to get it from overseas and suffer a bit of hassle from the beginning.

 

[reachme2003]

Dear All,

I've bought some small stuff from eBay before and got them shipped directly to me without any problem, and of course no tax lah.

Thinking about buying a DSLR from eBay, but don't know if we need to pay import tax? Anybody has done this before?

The seller says the package will be shipped over through EMS Global Express, and they won't indicate it's a gift to avoid tax stuff. Hope we don't need to pay tax on the camera.

Thanks for any input.

Cheers!

do you mean import tax as GST of 5%?