Another Laptop through customs question.
Jan 29, 2011 | 11:51 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 4
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.
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.
Jan 30, 2011 | 7:06 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: ORD
Posts: 746
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.
If your friend tells customs the laptop is for a friend it'd be taxable.
Jan 30, 2011 | 8:09 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 4
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.
If your friend tells customs the laptop is for a friend it'd be taxable.
Jan 30, 2011 | 6:24 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,818
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.
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.
Jan 31, 2011 | 1:46 am
#5
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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....
Feb 1, 2011 | 5:03 am
#6
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 4
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.
Feb 1, 2011 | 5:18 am
#7
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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.
Feb 4, 2011 | 4:09 am
#8
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Feb 7, 2011 | 2:05 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SFO
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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???
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.
Feb 9, 2011 | 7:15 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 4
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.
Feb 9, 2011 | 8:18 am
#11
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in all my years of travel i have never been asked by a customs officer to turn on my laptop....
Feb 9, 2011 | 8:56 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: ORD
Posts: 746
If you'd bought a mac all this worry would not have mattered.
http://www.apple.com/mac/#why-mac-video
Feb 9, 2011 | 11:59 am
#13
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Feb 9, 2011 | 10:58 pm
#14
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