Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cellphone]

If you buy something electronic from a US website and have it shipped directly to Korea (or have it shipped to a US address and then have your friend at that location repackage it and send it to you), what kind of a 'tax' does immigration in Korea add to it? (BTW, is it Korean immigration that taxes it, or is it outgoing US officials?) How much tax should I expect say on a $300 (or so) camera?

Or how about I just have it shipped to me but don't have the amount claimed? What chance of it getting 'caught'?

Thinking of buying a simple video camera or slightly more DV camcorder from US, simply because I haven't seen any good (cheap) shopping here. Right now I am not well off and want to keep it as cheap as possible, therefore want to basically get one as simple as possible -- even might just get an old VHS-C type rather than the new tech stuff.

I know for a fact you can get that stuff, new and refurbished back in the us starting at $175 and up. But the stuff you see here, minimum 500,000 won for the most simple older style video cameras????? That aren't even small and still have that long 'tube' viewfinder you have to hold up to your eye~. And 1 million up for the newer stuff? All I want in something that takes moving film.

If anyone here has a fully working and very basic regular (i.e. vhs-c or hi8) that they simply want to let go because they have a newer model, let me know. I'm looking, but no way I want to pay anywhere near the $500 range if I may be honest. Otherwise please let me know where some better shopping is or how to order from abroad without high fees.

[itaewonguy]

repack it.. have your friend right second hand goods on it..
then you pay nothing..

[maestro74]

From experiance, anything over 100,000 won in value through the mail can get a 22% tax levied on it. Based on the value of the product. This is especially true of tech stuff. I found this out the hard way. Best thing to do is take it out of the package to lower its value, but if they see "camera" stamped on it, they might check it out. As usual with all things imigration or duty oriented, it depends who you get at the time inspecting.

[cellphone]

as for now I won't be going the friend route, only will as a last resort. Most likely a direct ship.

Regarding 22% tax, heck that still might not be too bad in the long run. There are some great cameras, especially digi cams like 3.2mp or 4.0mp going for like $150 or so in US. Factor in shipping and that tax thing still barely $200 I would think. (Heck I haven't even seen any competitive prices like that here in Korea, regular movie cams, digi cams, or dv camcorders.)

Anyone else know? I'm still wondering if the immig tax would only be once it enters the next country, or when leaving the origin country, or both. If so that would be double, but anyways would like to double confirm the max I'd suffer. Also, would they simply make ME pay upon receipt kinda thing, or would they charge the sender? Just wondering what kind of mess it would be if any at all.