More importing info...

[Ande]

Just ordered a mod from the US, and am now working out how to get it through customs.

I'm a law-abiding tax-paying citizen; not gonna complain about paying what the law says. But I have to say that if they wanted to make this less convenient or more complicated, I can't imagine how they would go about it.

Around the time that a package which hadn't been stopped would have arrived, I got a letter from the customs service instead. I'm stretching to say that I read it, but I'm doing my best, and can only say that it seems to say that an import tax is required on my package, and that I should contact them. (There's a form in it that looks like it needs filling out.)

There are also contact numbers, none of which are answered by anyone I can communicate with, and a website for the Korean customs service. Also all in Korean, with no other options. (Can't even google translate, as it seems to be all or mostly made up of graphic text, rather than a font or anything like that.)

So...gonna go see a Korean friend tomorrow, and see what we can work out.

As I was investigating, though, I came across Korean customs website in English- just general info, nothing useful like the ability to pay your tax or anything. ;-) But the info might be useful to y'all.

• If the total value of the goods (including purchase price plus freight and insurance) does not exceed 150,000 won (about US $120), it could be cleared without paying Customs duties and taxes.
• If the total value of the goods exceeds 150,000 won, you need to pay Customs duties, VAT (Value Added Taxes) and special excise taxes & etc.
• However, for most industrial products, you will probably pay 8% of Customs duties and 10% of VAT. For all the details of Customs duty and tax rates applicable, you can refer to the Duties and Taxes in Korea of this web-site.
• Besides Customs duties and taxes, some items require licensing & approval procedures in other government agencies. The most likely items are food, alcohol, pets, medicine and cars. For details, please read more about importing individual items.

Taken from What can I bring in?

From the same webpage:

• 6.Tobacco Consumption Tax
• In Korea the tobacco consumption tax is a local tax (city and county tax) and the rates are;

• Cigarettes	641 Won per 20 pieces
  Pipe tobacco	1,150 Won per 50g
  Cigars	3,270 Won per 50g
  Chewing tobacco	1,310 Won per 50g
  Snuff	820 Won per 50g

  
  <Tobacco Consumption Tax>
  Item Tax Rate

• 7.Education Tax
• Taxpayers of special excise tax, transportation tax, tobacco consumption tax and liquor tax are required to pay education tax and the rates are

• Taxpayer of Special Excise Tax	Special Excise Tax Amount	30%
  Taxpayer of Transportation Tax	Transportation Tax Amount Payable	15%
  Taxpayer of Tobacco Tax	Tobacco Tax Amount	50%
  Taxpayer of Liquor Tax	Liquor Tax Amount	10% (30% when liquor tax rate is over 70/100)

  
  <Education Tax.>
  Taxpayer Tax Base Rate
• * The tax rates illustrated above can be adjusted within 30% of each rate for the purpose of supplying resources for the education investment fund.

So importing tobacco for personal use IS possible- just rather expensive. THere's no mention of electronic cigarettes or eliquid on this rates chart, but there was something a little ominous elsewhere on the website. There is a tax category for:

Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes

Without being sure what a manufactured tobacco substitute is, I'm pretty sure that I'm vaping one while I type this.

Will let you know how it all works out...

Ande

 

[Valsacar]

Customs opened my last batch of DC cartos from china, but did nothing about it (overall cost was below 150k).

Did you have juice in there? I don't see the device itself having any duties on it, I've read through all of the tax regulations and saw nothing that would really hit them besides a general import tax on any luxury item.

 

[Ande]

No juice.

It seems, if I'm reading their website right, that all postal shipments with a value of greater than 150000won are intended to be taxed, though we know that they miss some.

The $400 customs limit we're heard is for what you can carry with you when you enter. But on shipping, it seems to be 150000won.

Will let you know how it works out...

Ande

 

[Ande]

The saga continues.

I called the customs crew at the number they sent me. Not much joy, though a good practice session for my Korean and their English.

Also sent an email. Received an "out of office" reply immediately, and a real human reply a few hours later.

This is what they said:

hi , this is incheon airport postal customs(tel 032-720-7406, fax 032-720-7491)

customs clearance number : XXXXXX(Tracking number XXXXXXXXXXUS)

the item value exeed more than 150,000 krw(including shipping cost), tax will be charged

the invoice amount is 298.43 usd, tax rate 20%, about 60 usd

we send the exact tax amount to your cellphone message

you have to give money to the postman

we need your cellphone number

thank you

So, that seems to sort that out- I responded to the email with my number, and a very nervous young-sounding dude called me, in slow careful English, to tell me that my package would arrive tomorrow or the next day, and that I should pay the postman when he arrives.

Received a text message with the exact duty: 69020 won for import, 2500 won for something I couldn't read.
6
So the good news is that I should have mod in hand before the weekend.

The bad news is that, to get it, I'll have paid about half again what it cost. (Between customs and exorbitant shipping.)

Rocking on in the ROK,

Ande

 

[Valsacar]

That sounds about right, at least they aren't trying to hit you with tobacco and other taxes. I'd make sure you get a receipt, or have the postman sign something you write up as proof that you did pay.

 

[Ande]

And it gets even more fun!

Today, when I got home, there was a note on my door saying that they had attempted to deliver my package. Which is odd, as there's been somebody home all day.


Grrrr

ande

 

[Ande]

The final score:

2 failed attempts at delivery.

4 nearly incoherent phone conversations in my screwed up Korean and someone else's slightly better English.

1 week to get the package from Ohio to my local post office. 1 more week to get it from the local post office (which I can see out the window) to my home.

$40 shipping costs on $260 worth of gear.

$60 (69000 won) tax on the whole deal. (Tax is applied to value of package AND shipping, for whatever reason. Tax rate, 20%.)

But...I have a rather nice new mod with all the trimmings. For around 35% more than it would have cost if I lived in the states.

Frankly, a price I'm willing to pay to have the mod without having to live in the states.

Best,
Ande

PS- Apex Alpha Ultramax. I've only had it an hour, but so far, highly recommend.

 

[Valsacar]

Gratz! You should bring it down to Concorde tomorrow, last day before I leave for India.

I got my GGTS with the new UFS on it, and put the old UFS on my Stealth so it's a little shorter (just got the 18350 batts in today).

 

[Ande]

Was thinking about coming down- if I do, it'll be a short and early. (Working weekends for a while- gotta get up in the morning.)

I'd recommend ordering from innovapor to anyone who wants a pretty solid mod, and doesn't mind that it's a bit pricey.

But be warned- they insure shipments, which means they have to make an accurate declaration of what's in the package. So any tax that's applicable is sure to be applied.



Ande

 

[darkpoet]

Hey Ande... a few years back, I ordered two Sony eBook Readers from Amazon... total value roughly $800. Heh. I had to pay 30%. I was in Bucheon at the time, so like the strange waygookin I am, I actually hoofed it down to the Incheon International Post Office to pay the tax in person. The immigration officers working there thought I was funny so they did their best to expedite the process. Cash only, by the way...

Yeah, that 150,000 limit sucks. Last time I ordered liquid, I got the notice on my door... which said I had to go down to the post office to pick it up. I had to pay an additional 13,---something... beats me why... you can't argue when you don't speak the language, eh? And show my national ID card, too. Yeah, it's a pain in the ..... Could be worse...