Bringing CDs & DVDs and VHS to Singapore

[jag]

Hello,

Have heard that I would face difficulties if trying to take my CDs, Dvds etc...
Is there some kind of tax applied?

We have got loads of video, for kids and have got about 100cds...

What about stuff stored on my Pc? how would that be controlled?

Any idea?

Jag

[jpatokal]

Have heard that I would face difficulties if trying to take my CDs, Dvds etc...
Is there some kind of tax applied?

In theory, Customs has the right to charge you $3 for each half hour of material that needs to be screened for nekkid titties (note that children's videos are one of the exempted categories, but eg. your favorite Hollywood blockbuster is not). In practice, stuff for personal use is usually ignored completely. Bringing in pirate copies is not advisable though...!

What about stuff stored on my Pc? how would that be controlled?

It isn't.

You will soon notice that censorship in Singapore is partly token measures to appease the masses (eg. that www.playboy.com is blocked but sites featuring goats sodomizing underaged children are not), and partly entirely unenforced rules that still work to some extent because of the draconian punishments if you are caught (eg. the S$1000-per-CD guideline for pirated CDs).

[jag]

what about music cds, shall I expect any issue when bringing them?

also what about p*2*p and d0wnl04d?

[jpatokal]

what about music cds, shall I expect any issue when bringing them?

In practice no (again, as long as they aren't obviously pirated)

also what about p*2*p and d0wnl04d?

Other than the token sites mentioned above, Net access is not filtered. There have been a couple of high-profile cases where P2P pirates were taken down and slapped with massive fines -- although these were students in schools and universities, not tax-paying residents. As usual, make an example of one to keep the 4 million in line...

[Cam]

JP,

What about stuff stored on my Pc? how would that be controlled?

It isn't.

Are you saying that, in theory, you could back-up anything you want on your pc. Not take the films with you which might be censored -note I'm talking hollywood films here, not 'debbie does devon' style films!! - and re-burn it when you set up home there?

Assuming you have enough hd space and a dvd burner.

Cam

[just a guest]

We brought 200-300 CDs - they were packed with all our other household stuff and came over in a container. The relo company did not tell us audio CDs or computer software were at all an issue or needed to be declared - just the DVDs and Videos. There were no problems with our CDs & computer software. We decided to leave our DVDs behind because we were told there would be a fee for screening/editing (if necessary). Since we did not have that many, we left them behind. However, in hindsight, we likely could have brought them without any problem & know many others who did bring theirs & had no issues. (I suspect the problem comes in if you actually declare them - I also suspect most people don't declare them....) I think childrens & educational movies are exempt from the screening - but I could be mistaken.

[PhantomX]

We brought 200-300 CDs - they were packed with all our other household stuff and came over in a container. The relo company did not tell us audio CDs or computer software were at all an issue or needed to be declared - just the DVDs and Videos. There were no problems with our CDs & computer software. We decided to leave our DVDs behind because we were told there would be a fee for screening/editing (if necessary). Since we did not have that many, we left them behind. However, in hindsight, we likely could have brought them without any problem & know many others who did bring theirs & had no issues. (I suspect the problem comes in if you actually declare them - I also suspect most people don't declare them....) I think childrens & educational movies are exempt from the screening - but I could be mistaken.

Although alot of people do not declare and get away with it, the point is that if you do get caught you will be in the computer system for checks the next time round. And verything get screened including G certificates ie kids CDs etc Since you are bringins so much in in one go you might as well declare. Also its not quite credible from their point of view that you have ntohing to declare since you are sending in so many personal effects. Screening will take a few days but then you wont be missing your stuff in that time so you might as well check it in for screening. Not worth getting a rap on your knuckles on account of this stuff. You might even get fined although many just plead ignorance as first offenders. But why risk getting your name in their computers for future attention?

[Splatted]

jlkjlkjl

[jpatokal]

Are you saying that, in theory, you could back-up anything you want on your pc. Not take the films with you which might be censored -note I'm talking hollywood films here, not 'debbie does devon' style films!! - and re-burn it when you set up home there?

You can do it, but it is technically illegal. Your call.