Korean Job Discussion Forums

[camaroclow]

Hello.

I just received a text from customs saying that I owe 54,000 won tax on an order I recently placed. I ordered 4 bottles of supplements, totalling around $150 american.

I have ordered from mass119.com in the past with orders costing more this containing 6 bottles and never have had to pay tax. Is it luck of the draw when it arrives? Anyone with experience? Thanks.

[weso1]

Bottles of what? I've gotten protein, creatine, and jack3d without any customs issues. They may have different rules for different substances.

Google search the Korean customs number. Not the number you got the text from (phone scams are on a sharp rise here recently. ) Have a Korean friend call the number you Googled to see if it's legit.

[Skippy]

Well you might be over the customs duty - remember it is 150,000 won and including shipping costs. Which shipper did you use? The Korean airboys or the UPS express. I think the airboys would be cheaper and easier as the try to include some sort of customs fee.

Check out the following link.
http://english.customs.go.kr/kcsweb/user.tdf?a=common.HtmlApp&c=1501&page=/english/html/kor/personal/personal_02_01.html&mc=ENGLISH_PERSONAL_POST_010

[itistime]

You've ordered more than the allotted 150k won
and are therefore ELIGIBLE for the customs
tax.

Keep it under $125 next time.

[deizio]

[The Cosmic Hum]

[camaroclow]

Lesson learned.

Thanks for the help everyone. I transferred the cash. I won't go with the 5 lbs of protein next time. :p

Weso1, I actually ordered jack3d as well. This is my first time trying it out. What do you think of it?

[weso1]

[camaroclow]

Thanks weso!
Just arrived an hour ago actually. Looking forward to the itch tonight! Its hard to believe to use just one of those little scoops to start off with but the warning label seems pretty intense so I will definitely follow it. Cheers.

[Seoulman69]

I ordered some things from iherb and they gave me a code for a $5 saving on a 1st iHerb purchase. I can't use it so i thought I would put it up here for some new members to use. It is VEF887.

[wanderkind]

Anyone had this problem more recently?

I have an $87 iHerb order that, according to the tracking number, has been sitting in customs for 8 days.
It contained 2 bottles of vitamins, and a bunch of seeds and nuts, which I wouldn't expect to have caused any issues. Also another order that shipped days later went straight through in just a couple hours and has already been delivered.

My number should be on the package, but I haven't received a text or phone call providing any explanation / fee payment details.

Anyone know who I should contact about a held package? At Korean customs I mean?
(The iHerb customer service response appears to have been some cut-paste reply that didn't answer my question and suggested they didn't really read what I wrote...and also the representative's name was spelled inconsistently in different places...not sure how helpful they're going to be.)

[Canadian Club]

[Captain Corea]

[atwood]

The amount for Internet orders from the U.S. is supposed to increase due to the surge of Internet shopping by Koreans. IIRC the new limit will be $150, (not 150,000won) but when it goes into effect I don't know.

Korean customs is a very political entity. They may be cracking down because the stronger won will hurt Korean exporters. They are one of the things Obama complained about when taking Korea to task for non-compliance with the FTA. They place an onerous burden on many importers who want to get their products into the Korean market.

[Ck10n3]

If you use the code CIH211 you'll get a discount and shipping over $60 is free.