Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kermo]

I got a strange phone call today from someone who said they were from Incheon Airport. She wanted my passport number so the gift from my mom could clear customs. I thought that was pretty odd, and then she added that I'd have to pay 30,000 won in tax! I called her back to confirm and she confirmed it as if she were reading from a script or a book.

I am pretty sure that my mom is just sending a few pairs of trousers. Why the sudden vigilance? It feels like a scam.

[SuperFly]

I've gotten several packages via express mail from my moms. They were all nice blazers and suits or dress shoes...

I had my people call the customs guys, fax over my work certificate and a handwritten note from me stating that the merchandise was worth less than 100 bucks and I didn't have to pay anything. Moms took the tags off of everything.

Were the price tags still on the stuff?

[spliff]

[colonel sanders]

I had to pay the VAT one time because the shipping invoice was on the outside of the box. I had to pay it at the post office when I picked up the package, though.

[kermo]

[jeffkim1972]

If it's less than 3 kg or $150, then you don't have to pay tax.

But you can pay the tax when you receive the package at your place of residence.

[Young FRANKenstein]

I've only ever had to pay taxes on electronics I've bought (laptop, dika, dikam, external HDD). Other things like books, DVDs, clothes, and food have never been taxed.

[bassexpander]

Are you guys mailing this stuff every time? Or sending it by the airport some other way?

My parents send me a big box every Christmas. It's usually filled with cookies, and small gift items. I think it's only been opened once, and re-sealed. My mom made some Chex mix that had been opened (perhaps by jostling) and it was all over the inside of the box.

I heard that if you send peanut butter, they will open that, because they've caught people trying to sneak drugs in that way.

Never had to pay tax, and blue jeans have been in there before. Maybe just a pair or two, though. They must make random checks.

I almost always have stuff sent to my school, however, because I'm afraid that the guy will come to deliver to my home when I'm working.

[dogshed]

I ordered a Garmin GPS and had it sent to my mothers. She mailed it to me, but I don't think she listed it on the customs form. She might have listed it as a calculator. It is a calculator. It's one of the menu items.

My father sent me a camera and I had to transfer 38000 won to FedEx.

On another post someone said they are less likely to open US Mail. I don't know if that is true or not. Do we really know why our stuff was checked or not checked?

[bassexpander]

Well, one could say that one country in particular may have a reputation for sending more tainted peanut butter to Korea.... but my guess is that they trust the US post office to require declaration of contents.

Could be wrong, though.

[daz1979]

How long does it usually take to receive packages? I've been waiting a month for a parcel coming from the UK. Starting to think it's not going to get here

[Qinella]

[MarionG]

My brand new $1500 computer arrived marked "personal property, laptop computer, value $1500"

Came by DHL, they called and wanted scans of my ARC card and passport, no tax. I've received three other packages (one today) of lesser value, no tas.

[kermo]

Update:

The package arrived the other morning, ripped apart and then taped back together by customs.

It contained a pair of trousers (no price tag), some treats (chocolates, cashews), some fancy shampoo and conditioner, a set of thank-you cards and a couple of small, weird gifts (a kazoo and a few decorations.)

I'll have to take a closer look to see how they were marked and what prices were assigned. The delivery lady handed me the package, I signed for it and she didn't ask me for any payment. I thought I had gotten off easy...
...but I got a phone call last night from the lady, who returned to my apartment just to pick up the cash. Rats.

[djsmnc]