Import Duties

[Sarao]

I was getting bored so thought to search about it, But unfortunately, no real info available.

Anyone of you know about the import duties on new and used products? How much? Any taxes?

[KrishnenduKes]

Query Approved

Imported a G9 in October 2007 from UK and I had to pay to the tune of 60% duties when the goods was delivered at home.

[Sarao]

60%????? http://forum.lovepatiala.com/images/smilies/Smileys/eyes.gif

[Sarao]

What if we declare it as Gift or used?

[KrishnenduKes]

What if we declare it as Gift or used?

It was ordered online, came straight from Canon UK, packed accordingly hence could not be really declared as a gift!

If a gift is sent to you, duties will obviously not be charged.

[Sarao]

I had asked the person who is sending me the item, but he is said he wont declare it as gift, because he had seen people getting into trouble because of the same. What should I do?

[KrishnenduKes]

I had asked the person who is sending me the item, but he is said he wont declare it as gift, because he had seen people getting into trouble because of the same. What should I do?

Look. It is pretty simple. The person has to send the packet without the invoice and in a mail/courier service packaging. If there is no invoice and if the packet is not of very high value, chances are that you will get it without having to pay anything. I received a package today containing goods worth 4-6K all packaged in a mail service packet and all gift wrapped inside. I wasn't charged a penny. I am not aware of the customs fine-print, but I assume that if there is one camera worth 20K inside a gift wrap you will end up paying duties! Unless the person carries it in himself.

[Sarao]

Ya actually that is a 70-200 :D And the problem is, we want an insured shipping. But 60% is way too high!!

[v_310]

Ya actually that is a 70-200 :D And the problem is, we want an insured shipping. But 60% is way too high!!

Why not get it in india itself?

The 70-200 f/2.8 L IS retails on amazon for $1453 (= Rs 70,310 according to today's exchange rate)

at this (http://www.thirdidigital.com/Products/Hyderabad-BanjaraHills/Electronics-Cameras-and-Photography-Digital-Camera-Accessories-Digital-Camera-Lenses/CANON/CANON-EF-70-200MM-L-IS-USM-F28/pid-76428.aspx)place, you get it for Rs. 1,08,565

This is slightly less than the USD price + 60% markup. Plus you have full warranty here.

[manav]

Customs might charge you anything at times, and there is no way you can challenge it. Thats why its a better idea to buy local, or to ask a relative to get it down for you.

[Sarao]

To be honest, I am not getting that lens from US, thats one of my friend. Who is getting it there for around 25K INR. So I t hought to ask.

The f/4 non IS is 32K here at Chandigarh with IS its 45K. Dont know about the 2.8 though.

[Sarao]

I've been on this site, but what is the HS code of Camera lenses?

http://www.infodriveindia.com/Indian-Customs-Duty/90021100-For-cameras-projectors-or-photographic.aspx

Also found this site

http://www.cbec.gov.in/customs/cst-0708/cst-main.htm

[v_310]

To be honest, I am not getting that lens from US, thats one of my friend. Who is getting it there for around 25K INR. So I t hought to ask.

The f/4 non IS is 32K here at Chandigarh with IS its 45K. Dont know about the 2.8 though.

I see... I got the f/4 L non IS from US (A friend got it for me) for abt $520.But he had also mentioned that the customs guys at the airport bothered him :D.

my recommendation would be to ask your friend to get it in the US. he can remove the packing etc and declare it as a personal, used item. that should not create a hassle with customs.

[Sarao]

I should be more clear when replying. I mean he bought over some forum and the guy who have it, will be shipping it to India. But he is not declaring it as a gift. So I have been on fedex site, they said custom would be 150USD as per the price of the item.

[Aryan]

I should be more clear when replying. I mean he bought over some forum and the guy who have it, will be shipping it to India. But he is not declaring it as a gift. So I have been on fedex site, they said custom would be 150USD as per the price of the item.
@Sarao: 150 US dollars is a huge amount to be paid for customs! It would add significantly to the overall price of the piece of glass. In my opinion, it's not really worth it. :(

[Vicky]

ALL the camera gear that I own has been purchased from abroad on numerous trips. I always flatten the boxes and carry them in the suitcase and carry the camera/lens in my hands clearly in view of everybody. This way, I've never ever been questioned by customs.

Also, I've purchased some smaller stuff online via eBay, Adorama, etc.. worth a total of around $350...

- Third Party Battery Grip for 400D - $70
- Third Party Batteries x2 - $20
- Canon OC-E3 Off shoe cord - $70
- Hoya Pro1 72mm Polariser - $65
- Hoya Pro1 72mm UV filter x2 - $70
- Sandisk Extreme USB Card reader - $25
- hand straps, diffusers, reverse
mount rings - filter step up rings, etc - $30

I've only bought online when either the stuff is not available locally or when there is a substantial difference between the local and international price.

There is always an element of risk involved with online purchases. I buy and pay with the realization that the the item may never reach me at all. Hence, I limit my purchases to the valve that I can afford to loose. I always get the stuff shipped to my home address and marked as 'gift' with a value declared less than $20. Till date, I've done more than 10 transactions, and fortunately, I've neither lost anything in transit nor had to pay any customs duty!

However, I once picked up a 20yr old Canon 28mm FD lens for $17 in an eBay UK auction.. paid $35 for shipping to India and it did'nt reach me for 3months. When I had finally given up on it, I got a notice from Customs that an International Parcel had arrived at the local GPO and I needed to pay a duty of Rs. 1140/- to collect the same:eek: So, ended up paying almost Rs.3000/- as freight and duty an a 20yr old lens worth only Rs. 850/-:eek::eek:

[Aryan]

@Vicky: Thank you for that insight into how to perhaps 'bypass' customs. But, if suppose we are ordering it online, can it be marked as 'gift' by the seller? Is it possible to avoid customs this way? I doubt the seller would be so understanding though..:p

[Vicky]

@Vicky: Thank you for that insight into how to perhaps 'bypass' customs. But, if suppose we are ordering it online, can it be marked as 'gift' by the seller? Is it possible to avoid customs this way? I doubt the seller would be so understanding though..:p

For most ebay sellers this is not a problem. For large stores like B&H etc, its another story:rolleyes:

[Aryan]

For most ebay sellers this is not a problem. For large stores like B&H etc, its another story:rolleyes:
Alright, thanks for that information. Getting the stuff locally is the best bet, I guess. Apart from the customs and stuff, there is a risk of the glass being damaged while in transit (which is REALLY scary!). Paying so much money and then finding that the glass is broken would be terrible..Damn!

[v_310]

I should be more clear when replying. I mean he bought over some forum and the guy who have it, will be shipping it to India. But he is not declaring it as a gift. So I have been on fedex site, they said custom would be 150USD as per the price of the item.

agree with Aryan! It's not worth it. 25k plus $150 shipping = price of lens in India :D

[Sarao]

agree with Aryan! It's not worth it. 25k plus $150 shipping = price of lens in India :D
465 Lens+50 Shipping including Insurance+ customs (avoidable).

There is a HUGE markup between the Indian Price and US price, thats why we ended up buying online. But we did not know that the seller would not declare it as gift.

Since the parcel is insured, I dont think there is any chance it would get damaged during ttransist. But cant declare it as of lower value because of insurance.

[Vicky]

465 Lens+50 Shipping including Insurance+ customs (avoidable).

There is a HUGE markup between the Indian Price and US price, thats why we ended up buying online. But we did not know that the seller would not declare it as gift.

Since the parcel is insured, I dont think there is any chance it would get damaged during transist. But cant declare it as of lower value because of insurance.

Yes, there is a markup. But there are risks also!

I simply don't believe you could avoid customs on an a package of this size and weight even if you could get this declared as a 'gift'.

Whenever someone ships an international package from the US, they have to paste a 'Customs Declaration' on the package stating the contents and the value of the same. In case you send a shipment through USPS (United States Postal Service) the package is handed over to Indian Post (EMS) once it reaches an Indian airport. From there it passes through customs. All international parcels received at customs are x-rayed and they can verify the actual contents with that marked on the declaration even without opening the package. Smaller packages are let off easily delivered to you like general mail to your doorsteps by Speed Post. For the packages that are assessed for customs duty, the package is shipped to the GPO nearest to you and from there, a notice for arrival of parcel and the applicable duty is delivered to you. You then have to pay the relevant duty at the GPO and collect the parcel.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l96/rx100/1-3.jpg

Even personal gifts beyond a certain value and shipped via air mail are subject to relevant customs duty.

For materials air shipped via private couriers like DHL or UPS, the procedure is a little different. Upon arrival into India the packages will be passed through customs and the courier co. will pay the applicable customs duty on your behalf and deliver the goods to you and collect the duty paod along with some service charges. Here, you will pay duty for any product over $10.

So, in all, I would say there is very slim chances of getting this lens via mail and avoiding customs:p
Camera & Lenses attract 31.7% duty, so, you could end up paying more than $150 as duty which would in turn nullify all your proposed savings.

B&H has an offical India liaison office and arranges to get material from the US. You could select any product you want off their US site and then call their India tollfree no. to get the final quote on the item inclusive of freight, insurance and customs duty. Check www.bhindia.com or Tollfree 1800228008 for further details.

I've tried once, but this doesn't really work out any cheaper than the prevailing market prices. Only works when you want something that is just not available in India.

[manav]

Please heed to Vicky's words.

It doesnt matter what you mark the item as, the customs inspect each and every package and can ask for any absurd amount as duty, and as I stated earlier you cannot challange them. Only real option is asking someone to get it down that that. If its going to get shipped then there is absolutely NO way you can avoid customs duties. I am saying this from experence!

[Sarao]

Just to let you know guys, I got a lens today, Sigma 24-60 2.8, costing 250 USD, marked as gift and insured through USPS PM, without paying any customs. And please don't say now that parcel below some amount are not charged for duties. Dont know about electronics, but camera acc. dont have such exemption.

And for the wise men, Duties on Camera Lens are 32% for commercial purpose and 17.XX for personal use.

[Vicky]

Just to let you know guys, I got a lens today, Sigma 24-60 2.8, costing 250 USD, marked as gift and insured through USPS PM, without paying any customs. And please don't say now that parcel below some amount are not charged for duties. Dont know about electronics, but camera acc. dont have such exemption.

And for the wise men, Duties on Camera Lens are 32% for commercial purpose and 17.XX for personal use.

Its not impossible to get an item this size through Speed post without paying customs. I myself had got a Canon Battery Grip with two third party batteries from Hong Kong delivered to my doorstops by Speed Post without having to pay any duty.. This parcel too was marked as a gift but, value of the parcel was declared as $50 only.

Try getting something more substantial.. like the 70-200... this would most likely not be the case then...

Like i said, its not impossible, but its not guaranteed either:)

[Sarao]

Yes. But in my case, the value was declared as 200USD and since its an insured parcel, its impossible for it to escape from the custom officers' eye. So I would still suspect that they gonna charge me 60% on 70-200 as said in earlier posts.

[synn]

This may not help you save on duties, but it is a very hassle free way to buy stuff online. https://www.vpostasia.com/india/index.html