Ebay International Ordering And Indian Customs

August 8, 2016

Fellow Desi FPN'ers,

I am looking for experience with Indian customs handling of pen orders from ebay (Japan, Germany, USA, Israel)

I am looking to take the plunge on a $100+ pen and want to make sure it is safe to order on ebay.com

Have any of you ordered from Japan? Assuming I choose the cheapest shipping option via regular sarkari post, will our fraternal comrades in the customs and post office look for these "luxury" items and hold them back for customs duty and/or other "fees"

Do pens in the $100-$150 range fall under the category of dutiable goods?

Last time I ordered some stuff from mainland china, it took more than a month and port of entry was Kolkata - package was sent via China Post/India Post and came through clean (then again it was cheap stuff like 616 and some Jinhao's)

August 10, 2016

Any order value above INR 2000 (goods + shipping) is subject to custom duty. While ordering from abroad custom duty levied is subject to your luck as read from various posts here.

August 10, 2016

Any order value above INR 2000 (goods + shipping) is subject to custom duty. While ordering from abroad custom duty levied is subject to your luck as read from various posts here.

How is this handled? Assume a japanese seller on ebay - I simply use paypal or paisapay to him what is listed in the ad. He ships the package and then I deal with the post office folks to pay the customs duty?

Am I expected to calculate the duty amount and somehow transfer the amount to the seller who then pays his shipping company ?

August 10, 2016

How is this handled? Assume a japanese seller on ebay - I simply use paypal or paisapay to him what is listed in the ad. He ships the package and then I deal with the post office folks to pay the customs duty?

Am I expected to calculate the duty amount and somehow transfer the amount to the seller who then pays his shipping company ?

When the seller ships your package it has custom declaration of value of package on which duty is calculated. If custom officer has doubt of value he may send letter to you to produce proof of payment to confirm value of package. All this depends upon custom officer dealing your case. He may impose fine for importing goods without licence upto 5 to 6 thousands ruppees over payable duty approx 40%. When duty is finalised you have to pay it to the postman with handling fees to Indian post. You will receive letter from custom office about duty. So it is your luck about custom duty while importing from abroad. So I prefer buying from India though bit costly. The seller has nothing to do with custom duty. He may help you by undervaluing package but insurance of package is limited to declared value so if undervalued package is lost you are at loss. Every international package passes through customs Edited August 10, 2016 by prashant.tikekar