OT-maybe, local tax on improted hardware?

bluesky

Golden Member
Nov 13, 2000
1,325
0
76
Hi.
I'm not sure anyone familiar with this.
I'm trying to order a chip for USD 35.00 from Taiwan.
I received an e-mail stating the price is including shipping but excluding local tax.
Do they charge any tax on this kind of package?
Thnaks for any help.
 

Noriaki

Lifer
Jun 3, 2000
13,640
1
71
Can't say for sure about the US, but when I import stuff they always charge me GST (Canadian wide Federal Tax), but no PST (Provincial Tax).
 

bluesky

Golden Member
Nov 13, 2000
1,325
0
76
How you pay it?
Do you pay it to the mail carrier, if you prefer, the postman?:)
 

dkozloski

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
3,005
0
76
Shipments like this go through U.S. customs. If the customs agent feels like it, he will let the small suff go through because he doesn't want to do the paperwork involved. If he wants to jerk you around he can make it impossible to get your shipment without going through a customs broker for big bucks.
 

Noriaki

Lifer
Jun 3, 2000
13,640
1
71
They tape a bill to my box when they pass it through customs.

It's a federal crime not to pay that bill.
 

Quad

Golden Member
Nov 18, 2000
1,222
0
0
indeed, i agree with noriaki.

i also live in canada, and when the fedex guy comes to my house, i have to pay him the taxes. if you're not home to receive the package, you must pick it up at their station and pay the taxes there.

sometimes you'll get lucky and the company won't state the value of the package on the outside. in this case, you pay nothing :)
 

bluesky

Golden Member
Nov 13, 2000
1,325
0
76
Anyone in US has any experience paying tax to the carrier?
If there is anay chance that I have to go to customs and pick it up, I'll live without it.
 

Sharkmeat

Senior member
Sep 15, 2000
467
0
0
Just get you a burner and kill two birds with one stone,not that much for a desent Burner.
 

dkozloski

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
3,005
0
76
My experience with U.S. Customs is that it is a crap shoot. I have gotten shipments from Australia with the customs charges waived but I have had to hire a customs broker to fill out paperwork for lots of money for shipments from Great Britain. My guess is that there is some price limit that triggers the system but I don't know what it would be.
 

bluesky

Golden Member
Nov 13, 2000
1,325
0
76
Can you tell me what's the worth of the stuff from Australia?
I would guess 35.00 will under the limit.