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Import duty on electronics from USA -> Ireland

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  • 06-04-2006 11:50am
    #1
    Cond0r
    Registered Users Posts: 513 ✭✭✭


    I apologise in advance if this has been asked before!
    Also, if this is the wrong board, mods - feel free to move it wherever it's applicable.

    I'm thinking about buying a laptop from the states (through ebay) as it's the only place I can find one at the moment for a decent price (IBM Thinkpad T41p/T42p). The problem is, will I have to pay crazy import duty when it's shipped over here? Does anyone have any experience with this kind of purchase that could shed some light on the amount El Governmento would extract from my wallet?:(

    I've checked some pages on revenue.ie but haven't found any precise answers.

    Thanks in advance!

    C.


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    #2
    padi89
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,478 ✭✭✭padi89


    Hi,All i can give you is my from my experience.I have bought alot of electronics from the states especially since the start of the year and not once have i been stung for customs.However i never really buy anything over $100 and i do allocate a few euro in case i do get caught but i buy pretty specialist items so i would say it would be hard for customs to tell their actual price.
    If i was you i wouldnt buy a laptop,its a pretty expensive item and it would be pretty easy for customs to value as they would be looking out for those types of items inc ipods,digital cameras etc.To be honest its a gamble ,you may or may not be stung but you are better off thinking you will and then if you dont its a bonus.i think it works out roughly 20-25 euro on each 100 euro spent,although i could be wrong.


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    #3
    Cond0r
    Registered Users Posts: 513 ✭✭✭Cond0r


    Thanks for the info!

    Is anyone sure about how much the duty would be? I was also thinking of getting them to ship it as a "gift", hence the value shouldn't be displayed?

    Thanks,

    C.


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    #4
    trojaneater1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 93 ✭✭trojaneater1


    If you're buying second hand, get them to mark used on the outside.....
    Tell them to give it a value of below 650 euro (this is where the taxing starts). Anything above 650 euro will be taxed at 21%. believe me from experience. I bought 2 alienwares and a dell from the states,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
    BTW.....
    the value will be marked on the shipment for insurance purposes... just take a chance that it won't be damaged intransit


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    #5
    cormac_byrne
    Registered Users Posts: 487 ✭✭cormac_byrne


    trojaneater1 wrote:
    If you're buying second hand, get them to mark used on the outside.....
    Tell them to give it a value of below 650 euro (this is where the taxing starts). Anything above 650 euro will be taxed at 21%. believe me from experience. I bought 2 alienwares and a dell from the states,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
    BTW.....
    the value will be marked on the shipment for insurance purposes... just take a chance that it won't be damaged intransit

    I bought a camera for £189 sterling from a seller claiming the item was in the UK. Then they shipped it from the States and customs stopped it.

    I got a letter from customs asking me for the invoice for the item.
    I faxed the details and the package arrived with a COD bill of €60 euro or so.
    21% sounds right, but they charge it on purchase price and delivery cost.

    so be warned


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    #6
    JJ
    Registered Users Posts: 2,055 ✭✭✭JJ


    Yeah, my mom sends me stuff from the US every so often and usually marks it as photos or family album. Occassionly buyers do get stung by import tax on eBay and get ticked off at either eBay or the seller but it's the buyer who needs to look into these things before buying.


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    #7
    andy1249
    Registered Users Posts: 1,340 ✭✭✭andy1249


    Pay no attention to that gift thing , if anything is going to grab the attention of customs these days its marking " GIFT" on a package , there are so many people trying that scam its ridiculous ,

    For something like a laptop , which is going to be bulky if its packed correctly , you must assume that customs are going to " catch " it , and allow 21% extra.

    depending on the price of the laptop ( is it new ? ) that 21% may even cover you going over to get it !!

    Trips to NY are not that dear these days , and that way you can carry the laptop and let on it was yours all along!!


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    #8
    Prisoner6409
    Registered Users Posts: 666 ✭✭✭Prisoner6409


    Customs are on the ball these days. In fact the onus is placed on the likes of DHL and FEDX to collect the tax for the revenue. There are 2 catogries of tax on imports, 1 is the vat @ 21% and 2 is import duty @ 3%. AFAIK the threshold for vat is pretty low. I'm not sure about this but I think you may be allowed about 125 euro before the vat kicks in. Either way I would not depend on not being caught for tax's. The item may very well end up being cheaper in the EC(where vat is included in the price).


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    #9
    Gone West
    Registered Users Posts: 6,374 ✭✭✭Gone West


    #Elites wrote:
    Easy thing to do, tell them to mark as "gift" and it wont be caught.

    Works every time.
    This is illegal.
    It may work sometimes, but you will eventually be pinched on it.
    thread locked.


This discussion has been closed.
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