anyone who ever buy musical instrument from overseas?

[jojo169]

Hi guys,
Im going to buy stompbox effect from USA and they will ship to Singapore by priority mail shipping. Anyone here whoever done something like this? not only stompbox maybe guitar, bass, or anything..
My question is, any tax or charge that I need to pay when the stompbox come to singapore? the effect is only 1 piece and the value is about US$370.

 

[sharp__edge]

I bought an attenuator from BitMo on february 23. it was supposed to arrive within 2 weeks but it arrived on april 14. that was close to 2 months delay.

i think either US or Singapore customs held the item fearing it was a bomb or something. It's possible. Especially since my attenuator was shaped like a C4 block with wires, resistors and capacitors hanging all over the inside of the envelope.

I suppose you should consider that? What pedal is it exactly that you're trying to buy?

 

[kahuna]

If the pedal exceeds S$400, than upon delivery, you will be required to pay 7% GST.

But i think it is possible to ask the company to mark the order as either a gift or ask them to have another receipt so that it will show less then S$400.

 

[lordie]

If the pedal exceeds S$400, than upon delivery, you will be required to pay 7% GST.

But i think it is possible to ask the company to mark the order as either a gift or ask them to have another receipt so that it will show less then S$400.

some reputable shops won't do that coz its considered fraud unless yer buying 2nd hand from some guy.

 

[fretless6]

Depends on which mailing service you use. If you use something like vPost, they will charge you GST during shipping payment, no way around it. Whereas for services like UPS/Fedex or just standard US Postal Service, depends if the guys at Singapore Customs are doing their job. Half the time, I don't get charged even when the value is well over $400.

Anyway the way that the $400 is calculated is based on CIF. Meaning Cargo, Insurance and Freight. Even if your item is below $400, if it exceeds after adding in insurance and freight costs, you are still liable to pay GST. The GST is 7% of CIF, not just the cost of your item.

Just to be safe, always assume that you need to pay GST. If you are lucky enough to avoid, consider it a discount

 

[jojo169]

I consider to buy AMT SS-20 since ebenex don't have any stock in singapore, but after calculate the price is much higher than ebenex price.. AMT replied my email and give me the price for SS20 US$349 + shipping USPS US$38, and if I add the 7% GST its becom much more expensive than singapore price..
Maybe I should consider to buy direct from the AMT website hahaha...

 

[kongwee]

Sometime, I order over $400 worth of Japan CD. They calculate in yen. No GST.Guess they miss it.