Import taxes on shipment from EU or US?

[enelym1978]

Hi everyone,

I've been living in SG for a little more than 3 months now and still trying to learn a lot...

My latest "worry" is: I want to buy CDs, DVD/BluRays mostly from Europe and the US but was wondering if there was a commercial limit not to exceed in order to avoid VAT on them?

I am from Switzerland and for that country, any value below CHF60 was tax free, hence I was trying to keep all my purchases small (free shipping).

I'm talking about merchants like Amazon, YesAsia, etc...

Thanks for any advices.

[nakatago]

Above 400 SGD, you get GSTaxed (7%). Some companies will pay for you then charge upon delivery. Sometimes, it gets held in the post-office and you can either go there to pay and collect or arrange it such that you pay the delivery person. For more details, you can look it up in the IRAS website.

Note though that if you're using a forwarding service, you may still get taxed. For example, most US states have a state sales tax (except Oregon). On the other hand, Amazon.co.uk lists prices inclusive of GST/VAT but you will get refunded for it if it will be delivered outside the UK. Moreover, usual terms and conditions apply and YMMV.

About media (CDs, movies), check first if they're allowed in Singapore. MDA may want to review them if they're legal in the country.

I've managed to buy stuff from Amazon (US) and ebay (coincidentally, always from HK) and no horror stories so far.