Online shopping-GST on Package over SGD400

If dellivery is by UPS- They will deliver the parcel without collecting any $,but invoice will come one or two weeks later with the GST,handling fee,shipping fee (if it has not already been paid in advanced by shipper)

If delivery is by DHL-they will deliver the parcel and we'll pay GST and a handling fee of S$10 on the spot.

By USPS Express International Mail-

Marking the parcel as gift/used items do not help! Even if the custom form clearly stated the value,as long as it exceeds SGD400, it will still be detained by Custom!

http://www.customs.gov.sg/leftNav/trad/cle/Internet+PurchasesPostal+Parcels.htm Internet Purchases/Postal Parcels

All goods, inclusive of new articles, personal effects, souvenirs, gifts, food preparations and dutiable products, imported by parcel post through ordinary mail or speedpost are subject to clearance by officers of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at the Singapore Post Centre (SPC). The ICA Office at SPC is located at #01-04, 10 Eunos Road 8, Singapore 408600 (next to Paya Lebar MRT station).

Goods and Services Tax

There is a 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST) levied on all goods, inclusive of new articles, personal effects, souvenirs, gifts, food preparations and dutiable products, imported into Singapore. GST is calculated based on the CIF value of the goods plus all duties payable. If the invoice value of goods does not include insurance and freight charges, the postage charge paid for the goods is to be taken as freight and insurance charges, and is to be added to the invoice value of such invoice for calculation of GST payable.

GST relief is granted on goods, inclusive of new articles, personal effects, souvenirs, gifts and food preparations but excluding dutiable products, imported by post to a total value not exceeding $400. Where the value exceeds $400, the entire sum would be subject to GST.

Clearing parcels containing non-dutiable and non-controlled goods of above $400 in value

Parcels containing non-dutiable and non-controlled goods above $400 in value are subject to payment of GST. ICA requires the invoices or confirmation slips (with values of goods stated), printed from the website of the Internet Portal upon confirmation of transactions, to compute the GST payable on the parcels.

If the parcel is imported with an invoice attached, SP will deliver the parcel to the addressee and collect the GST upon delivery.

If the parcel is imported without any invoice attached to it at the time of arrival, the addressee upon notification by SP could fax the supplier's invoice or confirmation slip from the Internet Portal (with values of goods stated) to ICA at SPC for computation of GST. The addressee may call at SPC to collect the parcels or appoint SP to act on his/her behalf for delivery of the parcel and payment of GST. A service fee is payable to SP for the service rendered.

In my case, the seller shipped out on 11 Jan 2011 (US time),the parcel left SF on 12 Jan 2011. Arrived Singapore Sorting Centre on 18 Jan 2011. 0:18, Confrimed detained by Custom on 18 Jan 2011, 13:18.

On 20 Jan 2011, 11am+, postman delivered a registered lettter to inform me about collecting my parcel from Sing Post Centre.

I could authorise Singpost to pay GST on my behalf, collect the parcel then deliver to me, at a fee of $10 +$5 (this $5 is not applicable if pay by Giro).

Or I can personally collect with any documentation that shows the CIF value of the parcel.