Hi Guys, I was about to order a mobile phone, from an online store, based in the US. But, my friend told me that, in India, the custom duty department will create a problem, and sieze my goods, or I will have to pay heavy taxes.. Is this correct? And, also, he said, that if someone sends me goods, like a gift, then it will be cleared at the customs and, there won't be any problems related to taxes and stuff..what would you advise.. Thanks for helping
A gift won't be a problem but otherwise yes you will have to pay customs. BTW Anyone knows how much custom in India are for imports ? Any links ? Mainly for electronics.
Yes, exactly, this is what I have heard..no customs and taxes involved if it comes as a "gift", Maybe, someone, who has is experienced can guide us.
Actually I read this at some site. It was a gift and I asked them for PayPal because of customs. They said no custom duty because they would send it as a gift.
you pay no duty for items upto rs 10,000 or $250...for items costing above that you'll have to pay the customs duty
so, if the box says--"gift"--then no taxes? whatever be the value of the goods? Is this only for "gifts" or for all items? Thanks for providing the information.
I suggest don't bother about ordering any phone online and having it shipped to India. I am surprised you are even considering this - India has better phones then US. Personal experience!!! But you still are interested in learning about customs duty - go to Chamber of commerce. Are you in Bombay? Go to customs house.
No, this is not just about mobile phones..I am just asking in general...I plan to buy many things, near the new year..that's why I wanted to know.. I thought, that since DP is such a helpful community, I should ask here..before going to the authorities.
You plan to import in India - you might as well ask the authorities to get the proper advice. It is not too difficult to import now-a-days that many items fall under liberalized category. However there are hardly any goods that fall under duty free categories because I assume you will be reselling them - you cannot avoid duty.
gift or no gift you pay duty if the value of the item is above 10,000. I was charged duty on a digital camera sent from US by my friend. It was marked as gift too. I was told by the customs guy that you need you pay duty on anything over rs. 10,000
Well you need to pay 60% of he price of the article.... I remember sending a gift to my friend and he returned it back to me. Please dont import things in inda whether gift or whatever. If you have someone coming from USA then ask him to bring it along. Or you'll ave to pay 60% of the price of the article. I have had my experince and wont ask anyone else to have the same thing twice.
The Final say is :- 1. If the cost of goods is below INR 10000 ,then no taxes, whether "gift" or not, does not matter. 2. If the cost of goods is above INR 10000, then you have to pay 60% of the value of the goods as taxes, again, "gift" or no gift, won't matter. Guys, this is what I understood from this thread. Do correct me if I am wrong.
YES THEY WILL GODDAMN SEIZE YOUR GOODS. They seized mine as well and never gave it back even when I paid the duty. Never ever import anything too costly. IT
Actually man..but c'mon it's India, there are a lot of ways to avoid such things.. if you know what I mean.
I cant say about the gift under 10,000... but I have read about below 5000 http://www.cbec.gov.in/cae/customs/cs-manual/manual_18.htm Import of Gifts: point number: 8,9,10 Also guy I dont believe if CD ( custom duty will matter) that's coz people in indian custom dont believe on others. ....