Import Charges On Electronics Sent By Post

[FailSafe]

I'm looking at a Thai Post Office collection form right now- I just had an external cellphone speaker sent from the States via USPS- it's not a large or heavy item, and I would usually expect something like it to be delivered without duty based on past experience- it was $100 total with shipping, and they hit me up for 900 baht import duty and 273 baht for VAT.

Normally I would have put a lower declared value on the customs label, but the shipper (like most of them) wouldn't do it as it limits his insurance claim if it had gotten lost.

[FailSafe]

^

Oops- I'll update that- I just picked up the package, and it was a set of footpegs for my bike- I figured it was the speaker (which was the same price) as I had ordered it a couple days earlier.

I will say this was by far the smallest package on which I've ever been hit with duty that was shipped through USPS- usually it would sail right through without an issue.

[Fondles]

Everything I buy that comes via USPS gets hit by customs.

Where possible I buy out of the UK before the USA as everything that comes via UK Royal Mail never gets touched.

[FailSafe]

^

I agree with that- I don't think I've ever been hit with duty via Royal Mail, though I haven't ordered anything that expensive through them (maybe a $150 item once or twice).

[Spin]

I figured it was the speaker

Never have a sender mention "speaker" on an incoming parcel. That will attract 30% duty, rather, get sender to use the words "acoustic transducer" and then you pay 3%. Obviously speakers are acoustic transducers, one and the same but the HS system doesn't seem to realise it.

[VocalNeal]

Seems to me a lot of this clever stuff involves the supplier doing something special. I guess if you can find the guy doing the writing he might write "acoustic transducer" and if you have provided him with the correct HS code and if he is used to doing export related packages but the printed invoice from the companies system in this case will still say speaker in the description etc.. Many US companies will not put fake amounts on Bills of Lading.

Not sure if customs will accept a Pro Forma invoice with no cost figures?

[FailSafe]

Just a follow-up- I got the speaker today- it was sent via USPS like my previous package but in a box that was 4x bigger, with the same declared value- it was delivered without any charges.

The Thai postal system is nothing if not consistent...

[Gerbil]

^ yep.

meanwhile.... I'm trying to track down a shipment which has gone missing somewhere between Chicago and Bangkok USPS again.... Tracking shows it leaving on a plane.... But never getting off

[FailSafe]

USPS tracking usually won't show an arrival scan- for the package that was delivered today, all I had was a departure scan for August 31st with no follow-up info (I asked them about their system a couple years ago when I was at the PO in the States- they said some packages are scanned at random when a delivery comes in so an arrival notice is possible, but not guaranteed). You have to upgrade the shipping method for better tracking.

You'll probably get yours eventually.

[Fondles]

USPS tracking usually won't show an arrival scan-

Sometimes it does..........



I hope the customs rapage is not tooooo much.

[FailSafe]

^

That's a hi-so 'CJ' package, which is trackable- mine was a lowly 'LK', which (generally) isn't (that's usually a small box or big envelope).


Beginning with two letters (such as "CP", "CJ", "LC", or "LJ") followed by nine numbers followed by "US".
Scan event information can be provided by using: http://www.usps.com/shipping/trackandconfirm.htm


Begins with DC-DZ and LK followed by 13 numbers and the 2-letter country code of the originating country.
NOTE: These labels are not trackable nor can an inquiry be initiated. It will be necessary for the caller to contact the sender advising them to contact the Partner Administrator in (origin country) for more information (do not transfer to an International agent).