Quote:
Originally Posted by VSG12777  I find from the Customs website that for a passenger above 10 years of age who returns from a stay abroad of 3 days or more, the duty free allowance is INR 25k, in addition to a laptop which can be brought in duty free. The duty applicable for any item which exceeds the duty free allowance of 25k, is 37.5% of the amount that exceeds the duty free limit.
Eg If I buy a plasma tv from Singapore for INR 100k, 25k out of this is duty free. So 37.5% is charged as duty on the remaining 75k, which amounts to around 28k. |
Unfortunately its not as straightforward. Value of LCD for taxation would not be INR 100K. It would be price of similar models in India (E.g. INR 140K).
So, tax would be higher then 28K.
Every customs office would have booklets that have reference prices for most items. Its very crude, like
Sony Digital camera
5 MP - INR 7K
7MP - 9K
Sharp LCD
32 Inch - 30K
40 Inch - 40K
And so on...
In my experience, customs in Red Channel, will overvalue items and then hint at bribes. At least that is the way it works in Mumbai. You arrive at Red channel, they hint at bribes and bring down valuation to near 25 K.
You proceed to SBI counter for paying duty (Since they have video surveillance at counters ) and you loose your pockets in that area.
I always insist on paying complete duty and look on their face is priceless... and since items that I usually buy (like Digicam / Computer parts) are not that costly so actual duty is around few hundred rupees.