Are there even duties on laptops?

Gradually we're negotiating free trade agreements with more and more governments (we have some with a few South American countries now, and are negotiating one with the EU at the moment; I think Korea is in the cards too). Personally I'm in favour of removing barriers to trade.

To me, though, this thread should be about what is and not what ought to be (descriptive rather than normative if you want to go back to your political science lingo). The way to avoid paying duties and taxes is to avoid purchases that are subject to them. Personally, if I'm on vacation and I see something I want and can afford, I buy it. The duties and taxes fall where they fall and if I have to pay them, I pay them. Typically, though, since I tend to be in the ballpark of my exemption and I'm super honest with the Customs people, they seldom make me pay. I don't think that it's a coincidence - I go in with a decent attitude and I think they appreciate it, and I generally get one back from them and appreciate it, too.