Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Masan_Man]

So I bought a sweet ass laptop back home in the states on Ebay and I really want to have it shipped to me. Will I have to pay a duty on it when it gets here? Is there a place to check that out? It's at my Mothers, so I could have her repackage it to make it look not so new... is that necessary?

Can someone please give me some advice!!!!!


Thanks!!

- Andrew

[The Cube]

..

[Poemer]

I'm currently facing the same dilemma. I don't even mind paying the duty on a new laptop, but I've heard murmerings that I might have to actually go to customs to physically pay the tax and take posession of the imported goods. Can anyone offer clarification? Is this true? If so, where would I have to go?

[JeJuJitsu]

Have it repackaged if you can, it should make it tax free. The key is to have it marked USED GOODS/GIFT. Heck, ifyou're getting it off E-Bay, as long as you can convince someone to mark the box USED, you should be good to go.

I bought mine new, had it shipped directly here. Paid 10% tax. Had a letter stating that this was for teaching purposes, written by my boss, in Korean and English. This saves you about 10-15%.
So, if you have no letter, you're looking at 20-25% tax. If you have the letter, you'll pay 10%, plus like a 20,000 handling fee IIRC.

Actually, the user "Wrench," who posts more in the tech form helped me out, and he managed to get his tax-free direct from the manufacturer, but I wasn't as lucky.

You'll notice I use the word "should" alot, as like with immigration, sometimes it depends on which customs agent you deal with.

You might want to check the Tech forum.

[pdxsteve]