Paying Taxes (Import & Duty) from Buying Oversea

[time-traveller]

Hi fellow collectors,
I am wondering how to 'avoid' paying GST if I were to buy a watch online and to get it sent via EMS to me. Any experiences on this kind of thing?

I remember for Ebay, the sender got me to top up for tax once...for items above SGD400.

Someone mentioned that if it were used, no tax needs to be paid. Is this true? I have seen some members here buying watches online- those bros and sisters are probably best qualified to help me with my query.

Thanks.

[Darkangel]

Hi fellow collectors,
I am wondering how to 'avoid' paying GST if I were to buy a watch online and to get it sent via EMS to me. Any experiences on this kind of thing?

I remember for Ebay, the sender got me to top up for tax once...for items above SGD400.

Someone mentioned that if it were used, no tax needs to be paid. Is this true? I have seen some members here buying watches online- those bros and sisters are probably best qualified to help me with my query.

Thanks.

If your declared amt is above $400 SGD or equivalent, then you cannot avoid. Doesn't matter if it's used or new.

[triton]

you are treading on very thin line here. if your watch is say SGD4000(above 400), you can declare it under 400. But are you going to insure your watch for the declare value?

remember, when you ship in, there are many people handling your item. at least 2 sets of hands. 1 from pick up point, 1 to deliver point. in between, how many people handles your item is anyone guess.

in an event if your item is lost in transit, the amount you save on taxes is not worth.

i dont believe in buying a watch overseas, why?

1) you must have TOTAL faith in the seller. this is because if the seller decides to ship you an alternative product which is less than the amount to pay. then you lose in the deal.

2) what if the item arrives is not original?

3) what if the item condition is not what you think it is

there are people who say it is worth to buy the watch overseas if it cost less. but i dont, the risk involved is too high for my liking.

i rather buy a watch that is available here, i can see, hold and feel before i part my hard earned cash.

how to 'avoid' paying GST if I were to buy a watch online

[patrickmaniac]

It's total cost of goods plus insurance plus shipping and if they add up to above 400,
It's liable to gst

Hi fellow collectors,
I am wondering how to 'avoid' paying GST if I were to buy a watch online and to get it sent via EMS to me. Any experiences on this kind of thing?

I remember for Ebay, the sender got me to top up for tax once...for items above SGD400.

Someone mentioned that if it were used, no tax needs to be paid. Is this true? I have seen some members here buying watches online- those bros and sisters are probably best qualified to help me with my query.

Thanks.

[spawninc]

as long as the total amount (+ shipping cost), you need to pay for GST. and it is always advisable to declare the actual value, otherwise you wont be able to get back a full value when come to insurance claim.

cheers

[turboducky]

Hi fellow collectors,
I am wondering how to 'avoid' paying GST if I were to buy a watch online and to get it sent via EMS to me. Any experiences on this kind of thing?

I remember for Ebay, the sender got me to top up for tax once...for items above SGD400.

Someone mentioned that if it were used, no tax needs to be paid. Is this true? I have seen some members here buying watches online- those bros and sisters are probably best qualified to help me with my query.

Thanks.

There's always the Accident part, if you declared a low value & something happened to it, you will only be compensated at the declared amount. So perhaps, it's a penny-wise-pound-foolish method, better be safe than sorry later.

[pegasi]

as long as the total amount (+ shipping cost), you need to pay for GST. and it is always advisable to declare the actual value, otherwise you wont be able to get back a full value when come to insurance claim.

cheers

There's always the Accident part, if you declared a low value & something happened to it, you will only be compensated at the declared amount.

That is provided the seller or the buyer takes up a separate insurance that covers the declared/full value of the watch. The courier/forwarder has a very limited liability written into the service agreement.

[ladyinblack_]

Paying Taxes (Import & Duty) from Buying Oversea

All Expert,

Do you or have you ever pay taxes (Import/Duty...don't know what kind of other taxes) when you frieght your oversea purchases (of course we are talking about buying watches) into Sillypore? The invoice will usually send to you about 1 week later when you received your goods, e.g. via UPS, DHL, FedEx, etc.

Just curious, would like to know what is the penalty or what will happen if you do not pay up the taxes? Or you have moved out of the address before you receive the invoice?

Thanks

[bluescorpion]

The seller has to declare the cost of the goods for customs declaration. Usually the established courier companies may collect the GST on behalf of the customs when they deliver to you. Still it depends .......

[danheng1]

My experience is that the courier company will collect the GST from you. If not, they will not release the watch. So, as usual in Sg, no one can escape taxes.

[ladyinblack_]

The seller has to declare the cost of the goods for customs declaration. Usually the established courier companies may collect the GST on behalf of the customs when they deliver to you. Still it depends .......

My experience is that the courier company will collect the GST from you. If not, they will not release the watch. So, as usual in Sg, no one can escape taxes.

Thanks for all advices.

This is not the case for me. From previous pruchase, I received the 'tax invoice' only after a few days I've collected the watch. They sent me an invoice and wanted me to pay a certain XX amount. And I wonder what will happen if I did not make the payment.

Accoording to a friend, I was told if I didn't make the payment, that particular International Courier will placed you under their 'ban list' and you're unable to use them in future.

[Ken3]

my experience was that they delivered the goods to me & few weeks later sent me a tax invoice with handling fee..

not too sure about not paying... lol.. but wun it be a hassle to just move off for a couple of hundred dollars?

[dtctan]

For my case, the courier company will ask me to pay up the GST 1st before they release the goods to me (Something else I ordered not watches)

[hchj]

I used Fedex and UPS before.

Fedex sends you a bill for tax after a few days whilst UPS calls to inform you the amount you need to pay prior to delivery.

As far as I know, the shipment packages (watches or otherwise) can only be released upon GST clearance. Fedex or UPS have to pay on customers behalf in order to let custom release the items. So government never loses : )

On top of the actual GST amount, there's $10 surcharge per delivery for handling and advance payment.

Never tried not to pay. Not worth the trouble if there is any. Also, Fedex and UPS are doing a good job. Should not take advantage of them : )

[ladyinblack_]

I used Fedex and UPS before.

Fedex sends you a bill for tax after a few days whilst UPS calls to inform you the amount you need to pay prior to delivery.

As far as I know, the shipment packages (watches or otherwise) can only be released upon GST clearance. Fedex or UPS have to pay on customers behalf in order to let custom release the items. So government never loses : )

On top of the actual GST amount, there's $10 surcharge per delivery for handling and advance payment.

Never tried not to pay. Not worth the trouble if there is any. Also, Fedex and UPS are doing a good job. Should not take advantage of them : )

Totally.

As mentioned earlier, you may be black listed by all the International Couriers and eventually no one will want your business if you do not pay up. And you can forget about oversea online purchase.

Just want to know if anyone out there had different experiences and advices.