if I was to get one (the price isn't that bad dispite the exchage rate) - but whats the deal with shipping & import duty ?
I've been looking at old stock computer bits on ebay and they all seem to be in the US
if I was to get one (the price isn't that bad dispite the exchage rate) - but whats the deal with shipping & import duty ?
I've always found postage from the states to be fairly reasonable, but the import duty seems to be a finger in the air job!
If the item(s) cost more than a set amount then duty is charged (import duty and/or VAT) plus the carrier's handling fee (because they have to
steer it through the Customs shed).
More info
here.
Contact the Buyer first Some will not ship outside US or charge stupid money to ship it... Best bet is get a mate in the US and have the bits delivered there and then him to send/bring them over.
Or get the parts sent US Postal Service, most slip under the Customs noses, at least here in the Frozen North
this one is listed as 'ask for internation rates' - this is the reply I got:
quote:
USPS Express $47.50 takes about $5
includes shipping tracking and insurance
does not include any taxes that you may have to pay to your gov't directly
I have bought a few items from a US ebay shop never had any problem with duty being charged --- but always small items athough some time quite expensive.
I had one sent over before - they called it an "industrial sample - value $0.00" but not this seller......
the really anyoing thing is its the first one of these I've seen for ages, its at an ok price and its aparently new in a retail box
After purchasing several things from around the world on ebay, you do not have to pay VAT on imported computer goods.
But you may have to pay an import tax, which is different.
Also, depending on which courier/postal service they use, they like to get their own cut of the costs, their admin charges as they put it, for putting
your stuff through customs.
Get them to send it as a gift with a declaration on the outside stating it is of low value.
Just aske the sender to make an invoice saying that it is either a commercial sample, or a gift. Then no duties or tawes are due.
I buy clecos this way.
Whenever I've bought stuff from ebay in the us or china, they've always been sent as gifts - a couple of the chinese sellers actually wrapped them in nice paper! As a result I paid a pretty good postage price.