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iPhone 4 from the US and customs

  • 05-08-2011 01:18AM
    #1
    one4one
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 114 ✭✭


    Could someone tell me how to work out how much I will have to pay customs if I import 5 iPhone 4's 16GB from the US.

    If they were to be marked as "gift" would I pay anything to bring them in???

    Cheers.


Comments

  • #2
    l5lr
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 50 ✭✭l5lr


    one4one wrote: »
    Could someone tell me how to work out how much I will have to pay customs if I import 5 iPhone 4's 16GB from the US.

    If they were to be marked as "gift" would I pay anything to bring them in???

    Cheers.

    You won't get through with 5 iPhone 4's marked as gifts. They weren't born yesterday and you'll be charged to bring them in. VAT @ 21% if I'm not mistaken?

    You also need to have a contract with one of the US operators to get a handset.


  • #3
    Nemanja91
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,814 ✭✭✭Nemanja91


    You'll also have a problem buying them directly of apple or any other legitimate store afaik as you need a US passport to purchase them. Correct me if I'm wrong though as that used to be the case anyway.


  • #4
    PCPhoto
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,584 ✭✭✭PCPhoto


    if you are purchasing phones in USA with a view to selling them for profit over here.... dont waste your time, its not worth it.

    by the time you pay customs, postage/packing and advertising - you could be making a loss - especially as there is a newer version of the iphone due out soon.


  • #5
    smtdos
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 135 ✭✭smtdos


    I bought an iPhone 4 in California last month. They are now available without contract from apple stores in the US. The store I was in also had a limit of 2 per person.

    By the time you add on sales tax and VAT it's not worth your while buying to sell.


  • #6
    TylerIE
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,635 ✭✭✭TylerIE


    one4one wrote: »
    Could someone tell me how to work out how much I will have to pay customs if I import 5 iPhone 4's 16GB from the US.

    If they were to be marked as "gift" would I pay anything to bring them in???

    Cheers.

    Hi,

    Marking them as gift doesnt make a slightest bit of difference.

    The customs value seems to be based on the dollar cost in figures + the shipping cost in figures (e.g. $299 + $100) multiplied by the VAT rate (so 399 * .21) so VAT is going to be about €84. In my previous dealings they didnt convert the USD to EUR and then calculate VAT.

    On top of that you normally have to pay the shipping company a Customs Clearing Fee (around €10 ish), and depending on the clearance fee the Courier / Customs Clearance Agent may insist on payment by Credit Card / Bank Draft.

    Also this whole process takes a few days so adds to the cost / hassle. It kinda means you cant really sell any till you physically have them... your courier may show delivery next Monday, but customs can add 1 - 5 working days on top of that, so it leaves your money tied up in the product for maybe 3 weeks before you can sell...

    Theres also a few added considerations with selling, if your seriously considering it and have questions post again or PM and Il elaborate.

    Theres a chance that your stuff wont be picked up but Iv noticed in the last two years or so that even small packages are being checked more.


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  • #7
    x in the city
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,132 ✭✭✭x in the city


    PCPhoto wrote: »
    if you are purchasing phones in USA with a view to selling them for profit over here.... dont waste your time, its not worth it.

    by the time you pay customs, postage/packing and advertising - you could be making a loss - especially as there is a newer version of the iphone due out soon.

    you can buy fones on adverts now like this for cheaper than you would lose on imports.

    and anyway, a SGS II is superior lol


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