URGENT - Buying a mobile phone from ebay.co.uk!!! WILL THIS ATTRACT CUSTOMS

[nitingopal]

Guys Help,

If I am bidding and buying a mobile phone from ebay.co.uk (UK website), then will this shipment get held up in customs in delhi? Will this be considered as dutiable goods? the approx cost is working out to be GBP 150 which is approx Rs 12500. Cost of shipping is GBP 15 which is approx Rs 1200. the seller is also willing to insure shipment for GBP 500 which is approx Rs 40000. the seller has listed the mobile phone as "As New, Immaculate condition". What should i be keeping in mind while doing this deal, do i need to ask the seller to send me some sort of invoice or something. Pls help.

regards.

[onesimpleman_in1]

Legally mobile phones are dutiable. Because it is a small parcel, they dont normally bother with it. There is a 50-50 chance it can end up with customs. You may end up paying a duty of around 1200 if it ends up with customs.

You should check the sellers feedbacks and see he has a clean record. In the event the mobile phone is not as described it will be hard to send it back for a refund. So the seller's track record is very important. Make sure you pay only by Paypal. If you do not get the item, you can always do a chargeback and is also protected upto 500 GBP if you pay by paypal.
Make sure the seller sends an invoice which includes postage with the item. This will protect you against excessive customs charges. If the seller does send the invoice, you will be charged by customs at a rate they deem fit ( normally Indian market prices).
Regards
Onesimpleman

[emailswarup]

Hi,

Invoice is a must for all such parcels, otherwise you are in for trouble. Some sellers also put a customised label on the package mentioning that the Invoice is inside and also putting the Price and Postage cost on those labels. This reduces hassles. .
Best Regards 😄
Swarup
Kolkata

[nitingopal]

Thanks guys, its more clear now. Further to this, with the invoice is it recommended to mention the portion paid for postal insurance (if any).

Also with regards to the invoice, does it have to be in a printed format or can it be hand written? Also is there any specific format that I should get the seller to write in the invoice which would ensure less hassles for me at customs.

Also do I need to ask the seller to email me a copy of the invoice, because if the goods get stuck at customs then I shal need to show them a copy of the invoice as they would let me open the item at their end to take out the copy of the invoice from within the packing (i.e., if the invoice came within the packing).

Thanks & regards
Nitin Gopal.

[nitingopal]

Just one more thing. Is it advisaable to get the seller to mention 'Used mobile' in the invoice. Does that bring down the duty? Because normally these sellers are selling personal items which although may be listed as brand new on ebay, but in fact technically are one or two months old (stuff they dont want etc).

regards

[nitingopal]

Another thing, I read in some thread that Customs create hassles by asking us to get an IEC code (Import/Export Code) for releasing the articles from customs, even though by law/rule an IEC code is not required for 'Items of personal use'.

Do you think I would require an IEC code, or normally customs wouldnt bother with just one handset purchased online.

thanks & regards

[teknix4]

First of all, i would suggest that do not buy a mobile from UK if its of a small range like 12.5k only because imports involve good amount of Hustle & Bustle

Secondly, if you do, then you need an IEC Code for Import.

Thirdly, you will have to pay 4% Custom Duty as well as the Octroi charges to your city.

And make sure, that you have the Bill for the item, or else you will be in a complete fix.

[emailswarup]

Hi,

My opinion for your queries:

If the total value mentioned in the Invoice is inclusive of Postal insurance then its better to mention that separately. It will bring down the actual cost of your mobile hence most likely to attract lesser duty, in case its subjected to.

The seller can use his own format for the Invoice. As its from UK so its most likely to be a printed one. Some figures may be hand written, that won't harm at all.

Better to have a copy of the Invoice by email for unwarranted situations.

I do not think an European seller will agree to mark the phone as used one in the Invoice when you have purchased it as new. Because, then technically he has to lie either in the Invoice or in the listing. He may not agree. Better not to try this at it may affect your image to the seller. .
Best Regards 😄
Swarup
Kolkata