Custom duty on used computer parts, tariff code 85444929

[watthong]

I just got slapped a 10% custom duty on CIF of a package consists of second-hand/recycled, declared as "used" computer parts: cpu, ssd, ram, motherboard etc, shipped from the US via FedEx. In the past I have shipped 3 dell (used) workstations individually and each time got zero custom duty. I called FedEx office and they gave the tariff code 85444929 (also printed on the invoice I received upon payment) as reason for the 10% duty, citing "computer parts."

 

I googled up the code and it seems to apply to electric wiring, cables, parts for tv and radio. I wonder why a whole used computer was not taxed, but used computer part is? Any one has an inkling whether this was an error by custom office, or they are just "making it up" as they go?

[blackcab]

If you import a parcel of "mixed" goods, it is highly likely you will be charged the highest rate of duty for the entire shipment. 8544.49.29 was probably used as a convenience by customs, because the general rate of duty for 8544.49.29 is known to be 10 per cent and that category covers a multitude of devices. Customs simply do not have the time to take your parcel to pieces and code everything to the correct tariff, so if they see one item that attracts a duty of 10 per cent then that is what you are going to receive.

 

(This is very relevant if you were sending a high value of duty exempt items and a low value of dutiable items in the same shipment).

 

In terms of the goods being used, well that doesn't matter too much. All goods have a value, used or not. They must be worth something for you to pay the amount of shipping and insurance that you did to get the items sent to you.

[fdsa]

17 hours ago, watthong said:

I wonder why a whole used computer was not taxed, but used computer part is

 

 

[watthong]

2 hours ago, fdsa said:

 

 

Excerpt from the above quote: "Another update: it seems that "a whole computer" is subject to 7% VAT but "computer parts" may be subject to EXTRA 10%, total 17%. I've just had to pay 10% tax for a power supply unit plus 7% VAT. "

- Actually maybe I shouldn't have asked that question: Going through my stack of FedEx invoices I found out that two packages ago, I had shipped another mixed bag of "computer parts" but that one got zero custom duty.

 

[fdsa]

yes, the whole point of all my messages in that thread is that the import tax/duty in Thailand is absolutely random and depends on the mood of the customs officer inspecting your package.

[watthong]

On 9/14/2022 at 3:09 AM, blackcab said:

In terms of the goods being used, well that doesn't matter too much. All goods have a value, used or not. They must be worth something for you to pay the amount of shipping and insurance that you did to get the items sent to you.

The difference between "used" and not stated as such in regard to custom could be 10percent on your CIF. I always declared "USED" (in all caps no less) following the advice of one poster on another custom duty thread a while ago. His was the tale of 2 laptops: The 1st one was shipped spanking new to Thailand directly from the on-line seller (probably amazon) and got duty taxed. Soon after he needed a second laptop. This time he had it sent to a friend in the US, the friend's task was unbox the laptop, "rough" it up a bit to make it look used then ship as gift. This one got through custom declared as "used" and got out scot free.

 

So far all my "used" items - books, ipads, computers (parts or whole) - went through unscathed until this one. I used to ship via US postal but since covid had to go with FedEx.

[watthong]

On 9/14/2022 at 3:09 AM, blackcab said:

(This is very relevant if you were sending a high value of duty exempt items and a low value of dutiable items in the same shipment).

Your diagnosis turned out to be correct. I finally made it to the Fedex office in downtown and got a deferential treatment from the "specialists." 2 agents sat down and went over the invoices - I brought 2 invoices one recent with zero duty along with the present one with 10 percent duty. They agreed that both had similar "used computer parts" content and told me that they would check with (their in-house Fedex) custom and get back to me. Later in the same afternoon one agent called back and informed me of the culprit: item no 4 on the list => a set of various "monitor cables." Which strays into the territory of code 85444929 ("electric wiring, cables, parts for tv and radio.") The lady agent pointed out the word "cable" as the trigger. She also said something to the effect that do not send things that were of small value or questionable category-wise. I was not happy, but "satisfied" with the reply.

 

Lesson learned: Usually it's the smallest detail that is the weakest link in most undertakings (and likely cause the whole thing to derail.) I could have not declared item no4 at all; at the risk of open-box inspection I could always claim that those cables belong to other "computer parts", for example, motherboards (which the cables will directly get attached to.) But I did not think it through. In summary,  the agent is correct: it's more hassle than its worth.

[blackcab]

A common problem is shipments of books. Books are exempt for duty.

 

Some people send quite a quantity of expensive books, then also include a small gift.

 

The whole shipment is then categorised at the duty rate of the gift and that's when the problems start.