Korean Job Discussion Forums

[DeLaRed]

Is there normally some customs charges for receiving goods if it`s over X amount? I think it is something like if the cost of the item bought cost you over 120,000 won? but I don`t remember the exact amount.....anyone know?

[nathanrutledge]

10%, they eff you on ANYTHING you get shipped here.

[DeLaRed]

[nathanrutledge]

Negative. I paid 30 bucks tax on my birthday present from my father last year. Technically its possible to get stuff here, if its personal, but every time i've tried to claim it, I've gotten screwed on it. Paid tax on my own personal property twice now.

[DeLaRed]

How do they know how much to tax you if you get rid of the evidence,(receipts, labels from it etc)..... and put the value of the package down as zero?

[roadballmint]

Depends on what it is- with computers, ipods and things like that they'd probably catch on and make you pay even if you try to declare it as a "used personal good." As for how much they'd try to charge you, my guess is they'd base it on the current retail price in Korea. The "used personal goods" excuse works best with things like clothes, shoes, kitchenware... you know, stuff that is kind of inexpensive and boring to begin with (do make sure that whoever sends it to you destroys the evidence, just in case).

Also, keep in mind that if you declare the value of your package as $0, you can't insure it. If there's a $2000 computer in there and it gets lost/damaged in the mail, well, you're pretty much out $2000.

[giraffe]

ive been sending big expensive packages to and from korea for 4 years now and wife and or me have never been charged any customs. We've always claimed the truthfull amounts too. i guess its just luck....

maybe they see your foreigner name on the package and decide to charge you heheheh...( i know i know.. im sure that isnt that case. but would be funny if that was the reason)

I have on the other hand paid LOTS of customs between canada and USA though hehe.

[ontheway]

My experience is that if you keep your shipments under $250 you won't be charged.

[mmstyle]

On their website, it is set at 150,000 won, including shipping charges. I have had $400 worth of stuff sent directly from the co. I bought it from and not been hit. I got stuff about 2 weeks ago that came in at 168,000 won and got dinged for 41,000. It depends, you won't always get hit, sometimes you will. I have never gotten hit with charges for anything sent from home and labeled as personal belongings. My husband had his laptop sent from Aus, no problems. The packaging was original, but had been opened (by his dad) before it was mailed.

I'm too lazy to look for a link right now. Customs tel is 1588-1300.

Counting the price of mailing something as part of it's value just seems idiotic to me. Personal opinion.

[ThingsComeAround]

I've had a package arrive from Japan which was around 48,000 Yen (almost $500 bucks) and no prob... I'm guessing if the package is rather small and doesn't look big & expensive then you can get away with it...
But then again I ordered 2 USB HDDs and I'm having them shipped from the States. Valued at approx $300 crossing my fingers

[Zach with a Z]

I was looking to get a few things sent to me here once I start making money. A netbook and ipod for example. Both of which are cheaper purchased at home via amazon, and then shipped to me here...

Does the customs fee make such saving go away?

I can get a netbook online for 350$ at home, and like 500$ here...



advice?

[topas]

Have discovered they can charge you on anything over 150 000 won, but the amount they charge seems to vary. They are charging me almost 30% (!!!) on a package right now (my own used personal goods), but charged less on a package I received 6 months ago (a new laptop I ordered online). Other times I have not been charged at all.

Also, seem to have more problems with goods shipped with FedEx than express mail, so it might be a good idea to avoid them (their customer service in Korea is pretty bad, too).