Another Laptop through customs question.
 

Guys, please help, I ll keep it as simple as possible.

I am getting a laptop costing about 75000Rs from USA. My friend will be carrying it(thats the only laptop he is carrying). It will be in its box, so can he get it through the customs at Mumbai without having to pay the duties?

This is whats written on the cbec site:
3)One laptop computer (notebook computer) over and above the said free allowances mentioned above is also allowed duty free if imported by any passenger of the age of 18 years and above

but am confused, is it fine if the laptop is packed in its box ?

Please help.

why cannot he take it out of the box and put it in a back pack? you need to show difference between importing something (with is taxable) and bringing in something for personal use (not taxable) of the person carrying the laptop.

If your friend tells customs the laptop is for a friend it'd be taxable.

well, I know its not a problem if he takes it outta the box. Ok, what about the rule? It says its duty free if imported by a person above the age of 18? whats the deal here? He is definitely gonna say that its for his personal use though.

Let's be clear: we're talking about importing a laptop for resale or as a gift (hence the box), but avoiding payment of required customs duties.

A computer for the passenger's personal use is not likely to be in pristine condition and packed in a box such that it can potentially be sold. Customs officials are not stupid.

On the other hand, most bags are not opened, and I don't know if X-rays will see the box. (On my most recent trip to CCU they didn't even X-ray my hand luggage.)

To be legal, it should be declared. What the quoted rules are saying is that apart from the used laptop for personal use, a dutiable (new) computer can be imported as part of the duty-free allowance. The allowance for people of Indian origin is Rs. 25, 000.

as per the law you can bring the packed laptop back without any duty....but there is no gaurantee that the customs agents won't bother you on your way out....to be on the safe side i would just take it out of the box & carry the box separately....i have done this a bunch of times....

thanks for the advice everyone. Though am still figuring out if its possible. The problem here is as soon as the laptop (which is an alienware) is switched on, it requires a set of steps to be completed for its setup. Thats why I wasnt bent for getting it unpacked and switching it on. Anywyas, am sure I ll figure something out.

no need to switch it on....just remove it from the box....

+1..
and FWIW, the box just adds weight IMO..it can be completely new in a backpack too.. and the user manuals etc can be there too..

Huh? That's probably the weirdest thing I've heard all day ... how does that prevent your friend from carrying it in a backpack or computer bag without the original box???:confused:

no it dosnt, infact I most probably will be getting it without the box, but ive been told that the custom officers at times ask for the laptop to be switched on. In that case it kinda will be a problem.

in all my years of travel i have never been asked by a customs officer to turn on my laptop....

Your worry appears to be centered around that once the laptop is switched on the alenware installation has to go through. Hear me now and believe me later... it does not. There are millions of laptops sold every year and installation is a portion of them does not go through the first time. It may take more than once.

If you'd bought a mac all this worry would not have mattered.
http://www.apple.com/mac/#why-mac-video

not in india, but in Germany I was asked to switch on my laptop and also my camera for a secondary security check..:confused:

yes, i had that happen to me in germany as well....but at the security check, not at customs....& in india i don't think anyone would ever bother....

+1