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| Noob question - How to avoid import tax? https://www.breitlingsource.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2769 |
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| Author: | Pocket [ Thu Apr 24, 2008 6:59 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Noob question - How to avoid import tax? |
Hi guys, I'm ready to finalise my first Breitling from an AD in NY. I am in Sydney Australia. I'd like to know how to advise the AD on what to put on the description to avoid import tax. Anyone that has experience this that could chime in? Thank you. |
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| Author: | RJRJRJ [ Thu Apr 24, 2008 9:00 pm ] |
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Im sure the AD knows exactly what to do (he has probably been asked a million times). The question is whether or not he will do it. |
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| Author: | breitlingsource [ Thu Apr 24, 2008 9:29 pm ] |
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I'd recommend all responses to this be via PM for obvious reasons. |
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| Author: | DnB925Art [ Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:44 pm ] |
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Pocket, NO NO NO you should not ask someone to break USPS Postal laws. It is a Federal Offense to ask a shipper to devalue an item, mark an item as gift, or otherwise lie on a Customs form. If the shipper gets caught, they are subject to $10,000 fine and/or up to 6 months in prison. If you can't afford the watch + import taxes, then buy it in your own country and see how much it costs (probably a lot more) or better yet don't buy it at all. If you have a problem with these taxes, then you better write your government and get the laws changed. Remember these taxes pay for your government services in Australia (like health services, upkeep if roads, etc.), so you're cheating your government as well. Consequently, if your customs seize the item and open it up and figure you're trying to defraud the goverment, they have the right to confiscate your item and there goes the money you paid for the watch if they decide to not give it to you anymore, or you may get lucky and they will make you pay for the taxes owed to them. |
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| Author: | Pocket [ Thu Apr 24, 2008 11:25 pm ] |
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DnB925Art you're so helpful. I wish I could buy you a drink. |
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| Author: | doctor diesel [ Fri Apr 25, 2008 12:02 am ] |
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he's right, getting caught is a REAL possibility my advice is seek out your AD, get to know them and buy there....means you get a discount and a warranty, However, with cheap flight deals...sometimes a weekend abroad can work out cheaper (mail yourself the box/papers etc while there) and wear the watch back home...but thats illegal also... infact, after reflection.......Home AD's are there for a reason....use them 
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| Author: | Driver8 [ Fri Apr 25, 2008 12:10 am ] |
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doctor diesel wrote: he's right, getting caught is a REAL possibility
my advice is seek out your AD, get to know them and buy there....means you get a discount and a warranty, however, with cheap flight deals...sometimes a weekend abroad can work out cheaper (mail yourself the box/papers etc while there) and wear the watch back home ....although as I'm sure you know, that's an offense too if you don't declare it coming through customs! My advice would basically echo what DnB925Art's said - never ask someone to reduce the value on the Customs forms. Some vendors may just do it anyway (in which case that's entirely their call and on their head if things go wrong), but never ask someone to do it, as it can get some people's backs up, and if something goes wrong then you'll be involved. Sure no-one likes taxes, but people tend to hate fines and prison sentences even more! 
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| Author: | DnB925Art [ Fri Apr 25, 2008 12:54 am ] |
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I really do feel passionately about this subject. I do A LOT of eBay sales (I'm a powerseller on eBay) and many of my sales go to inernational buyers. I even state in my auction listings I do not devalue or lie on customs forms. I am not going to break the law. If someone wins one of my auctions and they ask me to devalue the item on a customs forms, too bad...it's getting declared the amount of the winning bid. Also, I'm sure the seller will probably want to insure the watch when they ship it to you. Now if the watch was $5000 and the seller lies and claims it's only worth $1000 on customs forms, they can only insure it for only $1000. Now if the item gets lost or damaged, guess what, the seller will only be able to collect $1000. That other $4000...tough luck getting that back. Pocket, if you were my buyer and you ask me to devalue and/or lie on a customs declaration form, are YOU going to serve MY jailtime and pay MY fine if I get caught? I really doubt that. As the others have said, if the seller decides to do that on their own (devalue an item) then that's up to the seller and it would be on their arse if they got caught, but please don't ask them to do it. |
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| Author: | chronograph [ Fri Apr 25, 2008 1:27 am ] |
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Hi Pocket, Welcome to Breitling Source! Personally, I feel I am paying more than enough tax down here in the "Socialist Republic of New Zealand", however there is one thing for sure, if you want to make your life a complete misery, mess with the Tax Man. As someone famous once said: "...Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's..." That said, my recent purchase was sent (as requested) fully insured and clearly marked with the purchase price on the customs form, via USPS "Express Mail International". For some unknown reason, no tax was charged at this end. Pocket, here's the important bit for me: AFAIK, You can't insure it for the full value if you don't declare its full value. A few dollars in tax is much better than no watch, so that is why I will always insist on full insurance and full customs disclosure. Best wishes with your purchase!!! |
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| Author: | Pocket [ Fri Apr 25, 2008 1:48 am ] |
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DnB925Art, I think you're getting a little defensive. I feel no need for you to enforce your personal opinions on me on the matter, although I would be willing to listen to them. Please go lecture someone else somewhere else. Chronograph, Your input was very constructive and much appreciated. Thank you for the welcome. |
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| Author: | Sharkmouth [ Fri Apr 25, 2008 2:52 am ] |
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One other bit of info I discovered this week is that if you do a trade with someone overseas, you are nevertheless liable for customs duty/tax on the value of the watch even if no money changes hands. Looks like whatever you do, the tax man's got you 
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| Author: | doctor diesel [ Fri Apr 25, 2008 5:02 am ] |
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Sharkmouth wrote: Looks like whatever you do, the tax man's got you The three certainties of life 1,death...2,Taxes and 3,Nurses  
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| Author: | Sharkmouth [ Fri Apr 25, 2008 5:15 am ] |
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