Korean Job Discussion Forums

moosehead · Joined: 05 May 2007

ok ok - I knew already the limit was $150.00 (what I was told in the past) but it seems it's actually 150,000 won which is a lot less now with the exchange rate -

my purchase was $159.00 (plus shipping charges) and Customs wants 50,000 won import tax - the guy I spoke to says the tax is 25%.

live and learn, I know - I'll probably pay it just because I can't be bothered right now - but does anyone really know what it's supposed to be - that is, is this amount correct?

I think I was under the impression if it went over the 150,000 won amount, it was the amount OVER that one would be paying tax on - apparently that was an incorrect assumption.

does anyone know more about this?

thanks!

victorology · Joined: 10 Sep 2007

You pay the tariff on everything including shipping charges. So if the goods were worth $150 and shipping was $30, you'd pay tax on $180.

sojourner1 · Posted: Tue Nov 18, 2008 3:13 am Post subject:

Dang, that's anal. It's not like you're bringing in such a small amount to start a business with or bring to market for sale. That's a little too protectionist to penalize a foreign teacher importing $159 of goods for personal use. It would be different if a teacher is importing $1000's worth of merchandise, because that's an indicator he is doing business. You'd think they cut a break for teachers on purchases less than $500 like the way they do for soldiers, because it's for non profit educational use instead of profiteering. Heck, AAFES imports millions of dollars worth stuff tariff and tax free and much of it ends up for sale in Namdaemun and elsewhere. The idea of the 25% tariff is to restrict foreign goods as to promote the domestic market producers.

I can understand there being a tariff on your imports if you got a business visa and known to order $1000's worth of imports.

Any of you teachers importing foreign goods for resale on the Korean economy? Probably not.

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

Step 1: Ship to family or friend in home country.
Step 2: Take off tags and repackage as "used."
Step 3: Profit. I mean, don't by import tax.

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

And if you work at a public school or university, have it shipped there.

tatertot · Joined: 21 Oct 2008

moosehead · Joined: 05 May 2007

yeah, what's up with shipping to a school?

anyway, I work at a private elem - I'll mention it tho to the Tax Man tomorrow when I call him back - he was a d*ck head by the way - had a really nasty attitude - he asked me "how much was the total?" - I replied I didn't have it in front of me but I thought it was around 148 or something - he said it was 159.xyz and I said do you have it there? and he said yes, I said well if you knew why did you ask me? I don't recall exactly - he said well people sometimes lie about the value!! and I'm like don't play games with me!

what a jerk off-!! I ordered it several weeks ago and was really busy at school when we were talking jees I don't recall the exact amount of everything I buy - !! I couldn't tell you how much I spent at the grocery store yesterday!

at any rate - I usually DO have purchases shipped by my father but that's pretty frequent and if it can be shipped directly it's less of a bother to him - not that he minds, but you know, don't want him feeling like my postal service Laughing

thanks for the responses - I will protest as vehemently as possible tomorrow and add to it as stated above - this is NOT for a business and it IS unfair to restrict teachers importing personal items when we are only trying to accomodate ourselves in a professional manner (these were clothes I prefer wearing here I can't buy in K).

oh well. Rolling Eyes

victorology · Joined: 10 Sep 2007

sarbonn · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Location: Michigan

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Dang. First I heard of there being a price limit. I just placed an order for books well over the limit.

Oh well. Confused

Xuanzang · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Sadang

i think it is discretionary whether they hassle you for customs or not.

chevro1et · Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Location: Busan, ROK

Pooty · Joined: 15 Jun 2008 Location: Ela stin agalia mou

I learned the hard way to have my brother send me stuff without tags and marked "used"...he sends me my stuff via express mail. However, I have a package on the way right now that cost me 200 bucks, my sister in law mailed it to me. I asked her to insure the package to 200 dollars. Did I screw up by doing that? Will I have to pay the tax, even though it is "used" without tags?

Straphanger · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Chilgok, Korea

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

Spliff bought a water boiler from me off of here, and I shipped it to him. I put it in a box and taped a blow-up of his avatar photo on 4 sides. It looked pretty darned funny. I think the post office guys had fun with it, too, and must have played soccer with it. They broke and edge off of the round plastic base, which would have been somewhat difficult the way it was wrapped.