Question for those who has guitar or other bluky stuff shipped in

[wasp]

For items like guitar how much do you have to pay for duty tax?

 

[leecs]

7%............

 

[wasp]

Ah I see...thks.

 

[kym]

isnt it same as gst? or is it actually gst?

 

[5stringwonder]

it's GST.....

 

[mero]

yup it's 7% GST. Only need to pay if your item value is above $400 SGD

 

[KennethC]

The $400 threshold includes the cost of freight(shipping) as well, so in order to avoid GST:
(Value of Item + Cost of Shipping) < $400

 

[lightice]

Actually Singapore customs state the $400 is calculated via this method

Cost of item + [(cost of item + freight ) x 0.02 ] = 400 and above , will incur GST.

Which usually works out to if your item is around USD$250 and above, be prepared for GST.

In Singapore, just make sure you have some pocket change ready for the UPS/FEDex/Singpost/DHL people, cos they accept COD only.

Else they'd come back another day.

And for UPS/FedEx/DHL a $10 forwarding fee is included on top of the GST if GST is applicable.

 

[mero]

I think if you order stuff from overseas frequently, UPS/FEDex has some option to sign up for an account and they'll automatically charge the GST incurred to your credit card, no need for COD.

Usually they'll call ahead to ask you to prepare cash for GST payment though.

 

[kym]

can u ask the seller to declare as a gift to a friend in singapore? in that case, perhaps there will not be gst, becoz if it is a "gift", u r not reallie buying it, no?

 

[lightice]

Declaration as a gift will render logistic companies will only be liable for the item's value declared.

And for items in the hundreds/thousands, not many sellers will want to do that, considering this guitars are not directly replaceable. i.e exact same guitar.

 

[KennethC]

Actually Singapore customs state the $400 is calculated via this method

Cost of item + [(cost of item + freight ) x 0.02 ] = 400 and above , will incur GST.

Ah, that's more accurate, thanks for the correction!

 

[itchy_go]

So far I haven't been taxed for a few items I've bought which cost <800 shipped via EMS. I was taxed one time but that was via UPS.

 

[Whitestrat]

In Singapore, just make sure you have some pocket change ready for the UPS/FEDex/Singpost/DHL people, cos they accept COD only.

I paid for the GST for my shipment with UPS using Visa...