bringing computer through customs

sparky · Oct 6th, 2004, 01:22

Hello,
I am a US citizen traveling to India to live on an ashram for a few years and work for a spiritual master in tamil nadu transcribing all of his works. I have a mac G4 and a 17 inch flat screen monitor to bring with me along with some extra hard drives and a tape deck. Will i have to pay customs fees on all of this.
The computer and monitor will be in it's original packaging and not in my luggage which I suppose is a dead giveaway.
Would it be better to fed ex the computer equipment instead?
Any advice for me?

Thank you!!

Amber

rockyS · Oct 6th, 2004, 01:33

best it to carry it and declare it at the customs , u need to have it put in ur passport or on a declaration form that they will issue when u land that u will be taking it back with u when u travel back .

dumb_bacchus · Oct 6th, 2004, 01:39

wow the perpose of your visit feel great. i bet you will have a great time. i am an indian citizen. So here is the advice:

1. Get the mac+monitor packed and check it in at customs. You will not have to pay any duty. Computers is under the duty free items which once can ship to india. Just make sure that you airlines does not loose ur bagage

- DO NOT FED EX - a) it will be costiler b) the customs might create trouble

2. It would be hard for you to avail some local tech help on mac. In india intel based processors cover 99.989% of the market. It also does not mean that you will absolutely not get any tech support, but again it would not be easily available.

adios

welcome to india for a great cause

sparky · Oct 6th, 2004, 11:37

Thank you both so much for you fast and helpful responses!!

Arman-SVB · Oct 14th, 2004, 13:09

Hi - I moved from the U.S. to Bangalore. Here's what I brought in my suitecase!!!

- HP Computer
- NEC Flat Screen
- IBM Laptop
- IPAQ Handheld
- IPOD

I paid a flat $100 charge at the counter. This was NOT official. The guy pocketed the money and let me through. Nothing is in my passport.

oldhippie · Oct 14th, 2004, 14:34

Why don't you buiy your gear in India?... It might save you a lot of hassles. The last thing you would want after a long flight in is to deal with th Indian Customs. These guys are scum.

Arman-SVB · Oct 14th, 2004, 14:37

HP Computer in the U.S. - $399
HP Computer in India - $799

Saving $400 USD - Priceless

goatier · Oct 14th, 2004, 15:17

My girlfriend and I are traveling in India (for the first time mind you) in the beginning of March next year. We are bringing a Mac laptop with plenty of backup software, digital camera etc.. I am a Mac tech. So I will be carrying the essentials for restore and as always a clone of my base install, apps and such.

I would take a look at this: http://www.macdevcenter.com/pub/a/ma...traveller.html
and heed a warning about the essentials.

We will be beginning in Calcutta and making our way down and around and heading as far north as Dharamsala. So if you need any mac help by then I would be more than open to help out, of course in exchange for stories of travel! ;-)

Check destinationtbd DOT com for contact info

B

butterball · Oct 15th, 2004, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockyS

best it to carry it and declare it at the customs , u need to have it put in ur passport or on a declaration form that they will issue when u land that u will be taking it back with u when u travel back .

Should we really be declaring these things even if they're 'used' ie not still in their packaging ?

I too plan to take my newish Mac, digi camera as well as a professional camera ?

Arman-SVB · Oct 15th, 2004, 16:46

I actually didn't "declare" anything. In the BLR airport, they scan your luggage and can see electronic items such as CPU's which all devices have.

butterball · Oct 15th, 2004, 16:54

... I've never declared anything on my way in or out in the past.. just this time the computer is the highest value item I'm taken..

I guess Trivandrum airport is relatively layed back..

Oct 6th, 2004, 01:22	#1
sparky Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: USA Posts: 2	bringing computer through customs Hello, I am a US citizen traveling to India to live on an ashram for a few years and work for a spiritual master in tamil nadu transcribing all of his works. I have a mac G4 and a 17 inch flat screen monitor to bring with me along with some extra hard drives and a tape deck. Will i have to pay customs fees on all of this. The computer and monitor will be in it's original packaging and not in my luggage which I suppose is a dead giveaway. Would it be better to fed ex the computer equipment instead? Any advice for me? Thank you!! Amber

Oct 14th, 2004, 13:09	#5
Arman-SVB Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5	i did it Hi - I moved from the U.S. to Bangalore. Here's what I brought in my suitecase!!! - HP Computer - NEC Flat Screen - IBM Laptop - IPAQ Handheld - IPOD I paid a flat $100 charge at the counter. This was NOT official. The guy pocketed the money and let me through. Nothing is in my passport.

Oct 14th, 2004, 14:34	#6
oldhippie Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 412	Why don't you buiy your gear in India?... It might save you a lot of hassles. The last thing you would want after a long flight in is to deal with th Indian Customs. These guys are scum. __________________ Too Many Gandus, Too Few Bullets.

Oct 14th, 2004, 15:17	#8
goatier Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1	Mac Expert My girlfriend and I are traveling in India (for the first time mind you) in the beginning of March next year. We are bringing a Mac laptop with plenty of backup software, digital camera etc.. I am a Mac tech. So I will be carrying the essentials for restore and as always a clone of my base install, apps and such. I would take a look at this: http://www.macdevcenter.com/pub/a/ma...traveller.html and heed a warning about the essentials. We will be beginning in Calcutta and making our way down and around and heading as far north as Dharamsala. So if you need any mac help by then I would be more than open to help out, of course in exchange for stories of travel! ;-) Check destinationtbd DOT com for contact info B

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Oct 6th, 2004, 01:33	#2
rockyS LIVE LIFE KINGSIZE Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: CAL Posts: 264	best it to carry it and declare it at the customs , u need to have it put in ur passport or on a declaration form that they will issue when u land that u will be taking it back with u when u travel back .

Oct 6th, 2004, 01:39	#3
dumb_bacchus Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Delhi Posts: 158	wow the perpose of your visit feel great. i bet you will have a great time. i am an indian citizen. So here is the advice: 1. Get the mac+monitor packed and check it in at customs. You will not have to pay any duty. Computers is under the duty free items which once can ship to india. Just make sure that you airlines does not loose ur bagage - DO NOT FED EX - a) it will be costiler b) the customs might create trouble 2. It would be hard for you to avail some local tech help on mac. In india intel based processors cover 99.989% of the market. It also does not mean that you will absolutely not get any tech support, but again it would not be easily available. adios welcome to india for a great cause

Oct 6th, 2004, 11:37	#4
sparky Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: USA Posts: 2	Thank you both so much for you fast and helpful responses!!

Oct 14th, 2004, 14:37	#7
Arman-SVB Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5	HP Computer in the U.S. - $399 HP Computer in India - $799 Saving $400 USD - Priceless

Oct 15th, 2004, 16:46	#10
Arman-SVB Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5	I actually didn't "declare" anything. In the BLR airport, they scan your luggage and can see electronic items such as CPU's which all devices have.

Oct 15th, 2004, 16:54	#11
butterball Mine's a Haywoods... Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: London.. sometimes.. Posts: 686	... I've never declared anything on my way in or out in the past.. just this time the computer is the highest value item I'm taken.. I guess Trivandrum airport is relatively layed back..

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Mailing a notebook computer to India...	Peyompian	Chai and Chat	0	Apr 2nd, 2005 08:22
Computer accessories	phantom	Bangalore	0	Jan 28th, 2005 11:45
Small travel computer	krafty	Electronics in India	13	Jul 23rd, 2004 14:51
Customs -Bringing some simple medical instruments with me.	Baloo	India Expat Area	11	Oct 3rd, 2003 19:42
Computer and Customs	Number Six	Chai and Chat	2	Oct 3rd, 2003 01:22

User Name		Remember Me?
Password