Help - Am I Going To Have To Pay Tax?

Hamanda · Aug 21st, 2005, 20:48

I am due to arrive in Bangalore in first week of September (coming from U.K) for the opening of an orphanage.

I have bought presents for all the kids - nothing major just crayons/pencils/, hair bobbles, flutes etc, about 100 gifts at an approximate cost of 100 GBP - and I've just been told that because all the gifts are new, I will have to pay tax to take them into India.

Can anyone clarify this for me, and also tell me how much the tax is likely to be?.

Thanks.

shanthi · Aug 21st, 2005, 20:52

Hi! I've regularly taken a small plastic container with a hoard of toys,writing materials,baby creams etc..into India via Chennai and Bangalore. I've had my small amount of personal belongings also inside the container and never once been asked for any money for Tax purposes etc...not once! But, don't take my word as law - it could be I got the right customs official at the right time each time, ...eh...if you get my rather confuding drift!

Hamanda · Aug 21st, 2005, 21:11

I know what you mean Shanthi. Unfortunately, I am the type of person who always gets pulled to one side for a luggage and body search (I have never been through an airport without having one or the other or both - don't know what that says about my face - guilty?).

The only reason I am worried about the Tax is because these are not expensive gifts and if I have to pay additional money, then it may just not be financially viable to take them into the country. But the other side of the coin is, I can't really arrive empty handed.

shanthi · Aug 21st, 2005, 21:45

Maybe, and this is only a suggestion, maybe, you should wait until you get there - just give them $25 in rupees (it looks a lot more than that don't it - when you got it in your hand) and then assess what you think they NEED,rather than take stuff. The first time I did that, I was hardly even thanked - they sort of looked at the stuff and mumbled something and put it in the cupboard. So, the next time I just set up fund raising before I went - had a look at what I felt they needed when I got there and then went out to buy it!

Now of course, for the past three years I take stuff back for my own street kids. Only very slightly involved with another residential school nowadays as I've got my own stuff to worry about!

- anyway, it's up to you - do what your heart tells you

you won't go far wrong!

Nick-H · Aug 21st, 2005, 23:42

Hamanda, it looks like you've bought the stuff already, so it is a bit late to advise you that you'll get much more for your money there... Next time!

If you try it with a case full of electronics or cameras you might have a hard time. I don't think they'll be worried about pens and pencils...

MeCasa · Aug 21st, 2005, 23:56

How does customs decide value, I'm probably bringing some motorcycle parts for a friend and want to keep his costs down.

Thanks

Hamanda · Aug 22nd, 2005, 00:56

I will definately get any gifts etc in India next time Nick - just that I thought they might like something from a different country this time round. Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Hamanda, it looks like you've bought the stuff already, so it is a bit late to advise you that you'll get much more for your money there... Next time!

If you try it with a case full of electronics or cameras you might have a hard time. I don't think they'll be worried about pens and pencils...

Nick-H · Aug 22nd, 2005, 01:19

That is true: they will probably enjoy the fact that you have broughht the stuff from UK.

Aristocat · Aug 22nd, 2005, 17:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hamanda

I am due to arrive in Bangalore in first week of September (coming from U.K) for the opening of an orphanage.

I have bought presents for all the kids - nothing major just crayons/pencils/, hair bobbles, flutes etc, about 100 gifts at an approximate cost of 100 GBP - and I've just been told that because all the gifts are new, I will have to pay tax to take them into India.

Can anyone clarify this for me, and also tell me how much the tax is likely to be?.

Thanks.

I do not think that you will have to pay any tax as you are allowed to bring in gifts upto Rs.8000/- which is approx GBP100. For more information visit:
http://www.ieport.com/baggage_rules/tourists.htm
http://news.indiainfo.com/2005/05/01...llowances.html

Aug 21st, 2005, 20:48	#1
Hamanda Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, U.K Posts: 83	Help - Am I Going To Have To Pay Tax? I am due to arrive in Bangalore in first week of September (coming from U.K) for the opening of an orphanage. I have bought presents for all the kids - nothing major just crayons/pencils/, hair bobbles, flutes etc, about 100 gifts at an approximate cost of 100 GBP - and I've just been told that because all the gifts are new, I will have to pay tax to take them into India. Can anyone clarify this for me, and also tell me how much the tax is likely to be?. Thanks. __________________ Hamanda

Aug 21st, 2005, 23:42	#5
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,684	Hamanda, it looks like you've bought the stuff already, so it is a bit late to advise you that you'll get much more for your money there... Next time! If you try it with a case full of electronics or cameras you might have a hard time. I don't think they'll be worried about pens and pencils... __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Aug 21st, 2005, 20:52	#2
shanthi Account closed on user's request Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: South India Posts: 785	Hi! I've regularly taken a small plastic container with a hoard of toys,writing materials,baby creams etc..into India via Chennai and Bangalore. I've had my small amount of personal belongings also inside the container and never once been asked for any money for Tax purposes etc...not once! But, don't take my word as law - it could be I got the right customs official at the right time each time, ...eh...if you get my rather confuding drift!

Aug 21st, 2005, 21:11	#3
Hamanda Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, U.K Posts: 83	I know what you mean Shanthi. Unfortunately, I am the type of person who always gets pulled to one side for a luggage and body search (I have never been through an airport without having one or the other or both - don't know what that says about my face - guilty?). The only reason I am worried about the Tax is because these are not expensive gifts and if I have to pay additional money, then it may just not be financially viable to take them into the country. But the other side of the coin is, I can't really arrive empty handed.

Aug 21st, 2005, 21:45	#4
shanthi Account closed on user's request Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: South India Posts: 785	Maybe, and this is only a suggestion, maybe, you should wait until you get there - just give them $25 in rupees (it looks a lot more than that don't it - when you got it in your hand) and then assess what you think they NEED,rather than take stuff. The first time I did that, I was hardly even thanked - they sort of looked at the stuff and mumbled something and put it in the cupboard. So, the next time I just set up fund raising before I went - had a look at what I felt they needed when I got there and then went out to buy it! Now of course, for the past three years I take stuff back for my own street kids. Only very slightly involved with another residential school nowadays as I've got my own stuff to worry about! - anyway, it's up to you - do what your heart tells you you won't go far wrong!

Aug 21st, 2005, 23:56	#6
MeCasa Account Closed Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Texas/New York Posts: 959	How does customs decide value, I'm probably bringing some motorcycle parts for a friend and want to keep his costs down. Thanks

Aug 22nd, 2005, 01:19	#8
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,684	That is true: they will probably enjoy the fact that you have broughht the stuff from UK.

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