How Much Import Duty Am I Likely To Pay On New Laptop?

[a1ka1ine]

I ordered a new laptop from the USA online which cost a little over $4000usd, it should arrive very soon and I am wondering how much import tax I am likely to pay. according to this:

http://www.customs.go.th/Customs-Eng/Sampl...?menuNme=Sample

According to this I will pay about $4000 in tax when it arrives.. is this for real? Ive looked around for what CIF value means and cannot find anything.. if its paying 7% tax + small fee I dont mind.. but paying 100% of the products value i will just have them return it to sender and not pay

i cant afford to spend that much but its a shame I cannot buy a laptop this powerful within thailand so i have to import.

anyone ever buy large items for personal use and remember how much duty they paid?

[Crossy]

CIF = Cost Insurance Freight.

You add together the cost of your item, what you paid for the shipping insurance and your shipping cost. Duty is then charged on the total.

I can't see a duty rate for computers (bet it's there somewhere) but 60% is a good starting point. So yes you're going to be paying a goodly sum

Don't forget you will also have to pay VAT on top of the duty

How is it coming? If it's via FedEx or similar they will calculate the duty for you and send a notice of the payment required. They will also charge storage and a processing fee, as well as a return fee if you don't accept it.

The best way to get something like this through is to go and get it from the source country then just carry it through the green lane.

Do let us know what you get stung for.

BTW I'm in the market for a new high end portable, which machine did you go for?

Edited September 8, 2007 by Crossy

[a1ka1ine]

after further research im seeing rates of 20% for "finished goods" i will try and find rates for computers. if its 60% then it would actually be cheaper to fly to the US, pick it up, fly back. ridiculous

this is what im getting, although this thread now has the danger of being moved to computer forum

http://www.xoticpc.com/product_info.php/products_id/1932

my specs: intel core 2 extreme edition processor, 3x SATA 300 hard drives (so 360gb total or 450gb cant remember). 7950gtx graphics card (i didnt go for SLI because i want to wait for the new directx 10 cards to come out (highend) so the 7950gtx is still the fastest, will stick two 8800gtx's in when they come out.

its pretty nice but, paying $3000 tax on a $4000 laptop is crazy. im in two minds if to just refuse it, let it go back, get a refund - restocking fee, then go and build a desktop from pantip, but i did really want a portable powerhouse, hmm.. *cry*

[Kf6vci]

This may sound harsh, but why on earth didn't you fly to the States and take one back yourself?!

[Crossy]

This may sound harsh, but why on earth didn't you fly to the States and take one back yourself?!

Probably would have been cheaper Nice machine but at 12 pounds a little heavy for me, price range is right though.

[ignis]

im in two minds if to just refuse it, let it go back, get a refund

Be sure it is returned, friend had his stuck in the Customs warehouse for over 3years........... in the end he had to sign a form to have Customs sell it to cover the fees......... So NO he never got his laptop or any refund.

Later found out you can have any spec built here to order.

[khunandy]

im in two minds if to just refuse it, let it go back, get a refund

Be sure it is returned, friend had his stuck in the Customs warehouse for over 3years........... in the end he had to sign a form to have Customs sell it to cover the fees......... So NO he never got his laptop or any refund.

Later found out you can have any spec built here to order.

I am curious as to why you just didn't buy local??

[a1ka1ine]

This may sound harsh, but why on earth didn't you fly to the States and take one back yourself?!

if i was a US citizen and had family there / reason to go there I would, but to fly accross the world just to pick up a laptop and fly back, im not too interested in that. and i dont enjoy flying either.

after searching EVERYWHERE i cannot find a tax rate for computers. I am praying that its under finished goods and thus 20% +7% vat.. 27% is a lot but not so bad i guess. if its 60% i dont know what I will do. probably not accept the goods and just make do with my current laptop i dont know

[a1ka1ine]

yeh its the fastest laptop money can buy from what ive seen, its really not expensive for all that power - its major drawbacks is weight. alienware and dell do laptops almost as powerful, they are a lot more expensive but generally a lot lighter too. you should see the picture of the heatsink, they heavy copper heatsinks are probably 60% of the machines weight.

[stevenjm]

This may sound harsh, but why on earth didn't you fly to the States and take one back yourself?!

if i was a US citizen and had family there / reason to go there I would, but to fly accross the world just to pick up a laptop and fly back, im not too interested in that. and i dont enjoy flying either.

after searching EVERYWHERE i cannot find a tax rate for computers. I am praying that its under finished goods and thus 20% +7% vat.. 27% is a lot but not so bad i guess. if its 60% i dont know what I will do. probably not accept the goods and just make do with my current laptop i dont know

In a lot of countries there is no tax on computers and computer parts so maybe you will get lucky. BTW why did you choose one of the most expensive countries in the world to buy a computer from? Also helps if item is labelled "gift"

[Lucifer]

Should have gone to Hong Kong and bought it.

Or, had it posted in two parts. One, empty box with all the paperwork and discs. And another, the laptop.

On the paperwork asked the shop to mark it as used/repaired and of little value.

[ignis]

Trip to Sinapore ??

appears to be a few high end laptops there........ Looks not to bad and about 38,000 baht !!

Top of the line, it has the following specs:

Windows Vista Home Premium OS , Intel Core 2 DUO T7500 2.2Ghz Processor, 17" WXGA+ ULTRA BRIGHTVIEW Widescreen,

2GB DDR2 System memory (Upgradable to 4), 511MB NVIDIA GEFORCE 8600M GS (Thats a DIRECTX 10 card friends)

HP Radiance Imprint Lid (Scratch resistance - nice), Fingerprint reader for extra security, Webcam and Mic perfect for chatting.

Intel PRO Wireless 4965 A/G/N compatible wireless card w/Bluetooth (Connect to any public A, G, or N wireless hotspot with ease or transfer data from your Bluetooth compatible phone to your PC and back)

320 GB 5400RPM SATA HARDRIVE(s) - It's TWO 160 GB HD's which means extra piece of mind - backup your files to both and if anything is ever lost you have the other drive,

HD-DVD ROM/ DVD+/-R/RW DL drive - It's the optical drive that does it all - Not only can you read normal DVD's and CD's, Not only can you BURN Dual Layer + or - DVD/RW/R or CD-RW/R disks But with this drive you can now enjoy the unprecented picture quality and sound of HD-DVD Movies and media on your notebook.

TWO High Capacity Batteries, AND Microsoft Works 8. Only weighs about 6 pounds which mean even for it's size it's good and portable.

[Mid]

How Much Import Duty Am I Likely To Pay On New Laptop?

no idea ,

if you ask me an easier one like ,

the length of a piece of string I could help you out .

[stevenjm]

Trip to Sinapore ??

appears to be a few high end laptops there........ Looks not to bad and about 38,000 baht !!

Top of the line, it has the following specs:

Windows Vista Home Premium OS , Intel Core 2 DUO T7500 2.2Ghz Processor, 17" WXGA+ ULTRA BRIGHTVIEW Widescreen,

2GB DDR2 System memory (Upgradable to 4), 511MB NVIDIA GEFORCE 8600M GS (Thats a DIRECTX 10 card friends)

HP Radiance Imprint Lid (Scratch resistance - nice), Fingerprint reader for extra security, Webcam and Mic perfect for chatting.

Intel PRO Wireless 4965 A/G/N compatible wireless card w/Bluetooth (Connect to any public A, G, or N wireless hotspot with ease or transfer data from your Bluetooth compatible phone to your PC and back)

320 GB 5400RPM SATA HARDRIVE(s) - It's TWO 160 GB HD's which means extra piece of mind - backup your files to both and if anything is ever lost you have the other drive,

HD-DVD ROM/ DVD+/-R/RW DL drive - It's the optical drive that does it all - Not only can you read normal DVD's and CD's, Not only can you BURN Dual Layer + or - DVD/RW/R or CD-RW/R disks But with this drive you can now enjoy the unprecented picture quality and sound of HD-DVD Movies and media on your notebook.

TWO High Capacity Batteries, AND Microsoft Works 8. Only weighs about 6 pounds which mean even for it's size it's good and portable.

Trip to singapore with airasia if booked ahead - next to nothing. trip to macau also next to nothing and no tax payed as you will be carrying it as personal.

[a1ka1ine]

Trip to Sinapore ??

appears to be a few high end laptops there........ Looks not to bad and about 38,000 baht !!

Top of the line, it has the following specs:

Windows Vista Home Premium OS , Intel Core 2 DUO T7500 2.2Ghz Processor, 17" WXGA+ ULTRA BRIGHTVIEW Widescreen,

2GB DDR2 System memory (Upgradable to 4), 511MB NVIDIA GEFORCE 8600M GS (Thats a DIRECTX 10 card friends)

HP Radiance Imprint Lid (Scratch resistance - nice), Fingerprint reader for extra security, Webcam and Mic perfect for chatting.

Intel PRO Wireless 4965 A/G/N compatible wireless card w/Bluetooth (Connect to any public A, G, or N wireless hotspot with ease or transfer data from your Bluetooth compatible phone to your PC and back)

320 GB 5400RPM SATA HARDRIVE(s) - It's TWO 160 GB HD's which means extra piece of mind - backup your files to both and if anything is ever lost you have the other drive,

HD-DVD ROM/ DVD+/-R/RW DL drive - It's the optical drive that does it all - Not only can you read normal DVD's and CD's, Not only can you BURN Dual Layer + or - DVD/RW/R or CD-RW/R disks But with this drive you can now enjoy the unprecented picture quality and sound of HD-DVD Movies and media on your notebook.

TWO High Capacity Batteries, AND Microsoft Works 8. Only weighs about 6 pounds which mean even for it's size it's good and portable.

a nice laptop for that price, and would be a great idea id happily fly to singapore but the laptop you posted falls far below the specification I am looking for in a laptop and the laptop im buying has been proven stable and reliable. annoyingly clevo are based in asia, but i have to buy the laptop from their distributor in the USA :@:@:@

[Jeff1]

Good topic. Now I will go off a bit. I want to bring a desktop, new in the box from the states to Thailand. Will I have to pay anything?

[stevenjm]

Trip to Sinapore ??

appears to be a few high end laptops there........ Looks not to bad and about 38,000 baht !!

Top of the line, it has the following specs:

Windows Vista Home Premium OS , Intel Core 2 DUO T7500 2.2Ghz Processor, 17" WXGA+ ULTRA BRIGHTVIEW Widescreen,

2GB DDR2 System memory (Upgradable to 4), 511MB NVIDIA GEFORCE 8600M GS (Thats a DIRECTX 10 card friends)

HP Radiance Imprint Lid (Scratch resistance - nice), Fingerprint reader for extra security, Webcam and Mic perfect for chatting.

Intel PRO Wireless 4965 A/G/N compatible wireless card w/Bluetooth (Connect to any public A, G, or N wireless hotspot with ease or transfer data from your Bluetooth compatible phone to your PC and back)

320 GB 5400RPM SATA HARDRIVE(s) - It's TWO 160 GB HD's which means extra piece of mind - backup your files to both and if anything is ever lost you have the other drive,

HD-DVD ROM/ DVD+/-R/RW DL drive - It's the optical drive that does it all - Not only can you read normal DVD's and CD's, Not only can you BURN Dual Layer + or - DVD/RW/R or CD-RW/R disks But with this drive you can now enjoy the unprecented picture quality and sound of HD-DVD Movies and media on your notebook.

TWO High Capacity Batteries, AND Microsoft Works 8. Only weighs about 6 pounds which mean even for it's size it's good and portable.

a nice laptop for that price, and would be a great idea id happily fly to singapore but the laptop you posted falls far below the specification I am looking for in a laptop and the laptop im buying has been proven stable and reliable. annoyingly clevo are based in asia, but i have to buy the laptop from their distributor in the USA :@:@:@

Plenty of other high ends available other than clevo that have been proven reliable and most use same generic parts anyway. Could understand if you were talking about apple but you have zillions of choices for windows based. If they will not sell you one in Asia do you really think they will honur warranty in asia?

[Carmine6]

yeh its the fastest laptop money can buy from what ive seen, its really not expensive for all that power - its major drawbacks is weight. alienware and dell do laptops almost as powerful, they are a lot more expensive but generally a lot lighter too. you should see the picture of the heatsink, they heavy copper heatsinks are probably 60% of the machines weight.

If it's like my old Gateway laptop with a P4 chip, you'll be able to dry clothes with the exhaust from the heat sink.

[mikethevigoman]

I ordered a new laptop from the USA online which cost a little over $4000usd, it should arrive very soon and I am wondering how much import tax I am likely to pay. according to this:

http://www.customs.go.th/Customs-Eng/Sampl...?menuNme=Sample

According to this I will pay about $4000 in tax when it arrives.. is this for real? Ive looked around for what CIF value means and cannot find anything.. if its paying 7% tax + small fee I dont mind.. but paying 100% of the products value i will just have them return it to sender and not pay

i cant afford to spend that much but its a shame I cannot buy a laptop this powerful within thailand so i have to import.

anyone ever buy large items for personal use and remember how much duty they paid?

Here is my experience,cif is combined charge with freight, they tax you on the goods and the shipping cost,if you have had dhl or fedex you will pay top charges, im am absolutly sure the major couriers and customs are of the same,.personal use or resale is of no difference,. look to pay close to 100 per cent of your cost,.you have asked for this information a bit late im afraid,.and as for sending it back, im not even sure its an option,.you will still be liable for all handling charges whatever, there are ways around these problems but as i said its too late if its on the way,.

[mikethevigoman]

This may sound harsh, but why on earth didn't you fly to the States and take one back yourself?!

if i was a US citizen and had family there / reason to go there I would, but to fly accross the world just to pick up a laptop and fly back, im not too interested in that. and i dont enjoy flying either.

after searching EVERYWHERE i cannot find a tax rate for computers. I am praying that its under finished goods and thus 20% +7% vat.. 27% is a lot but not so bad i guess. if its 60% i dont know what I will do. probably not accept the goods and just make do with my current laptop i dont know

Im afraid it wont make any difference to the scale/rate,. i imported a set of wheels, purchase price $400. taxes and charges 14000 baht, they kept telling me it was 15 per cent, work that one out !

[DP25]

Buy a local notebook that is less powerful but a fraction of the price. A year from now, buy another one. Prices fall very fast on notebooks, a year from now a notebook similar to the one in the original post should be available here at a much lower price. There's nothing out right now that needs something that powerful anyway. If there is a way around the taxes though, go for it, that's a great notebook.

[hotgeekus]

Change it to America, I'm going on October one, how much to bring it back for you?

[ignis]

Good topic. Now I will go off a bit. I want to bring a desktop, new in the box from the states to Thailand. Will I have to pay anything?

I came with my desktop, the LCD monitor was in my hand luggage, as were the 3 hard drives. the case was in my big suitcase, I had been here on holiday 3 months before so had left all my clothes + my laptop here already.

[LinkPopularity]

rather stupid to buy it first and then ask about the fee's

100% taxes and fees are very likely, while a ticket to Hong Kong is just 7.000 bath, back in a few hours and the laptop would probable be 30% cheaper as well ...

i really wonder what are you doing with such a powerful machine??? you don't seem to be very smart yourself ...

[stevenjm]

rather stupid to buy it first and then ask about the fee's

100% taxes and fees are very likely, while a ticket to Hong Kong is just 7.000 bath, back in a few hours and the laptop would probable be 30% cheaper as well ...

i really wonder what are you doing with such a powerful machine??? you don't seem to be very smart yourself ...

Good call.

[Solosiam]

isn't it 3% or 7% on computers?

[sceadugenga]

rather stupid to buy it first and then ask about the fee's

100% taxes and fees are very likely, while a ticket to Hong Kong is just 7.000 bath, back in a few hours and the laptop would probable be 30% cheaper as well ...

i really wonder what are you doing with such a powerful machine??? you don't seem to be very smart yourself ...

Good call.

Gamer.

Say no more.

[torrenova]

Go to Akihabara in Tokyo.

[mikethevigoman]

isn't it 3% or 7% on computers?

That belongs in the joke section !

[a1ka1ine]

so many "you can buy a more powerful machine locally" but no references. i looked at all online retailers i could find in thailand, and in pantip the fastest laptops were a joke, but they have lots of nice desktop parts/cooling.

i ordered a ps2 and some games from HK and they will be here tomorrow, i got a call saying i will have to pay about 4k baht on receipt which is less than 33% of the invoice cost, so if the laptop is also less than 33% i will be happy.

will post here with the results to help anyone else interested in buying technology goods from overseas while in thailand

as for the "why buy first, ask how much later?" i have been looking for a new laptop for a long time and impulse got the better of me when I found the fastest money could buy and upgradeable too