Seiko Club Singapore Museum

Query abt GST; need help and advice

ruzmidah
Query abt GST; need help and advice
Hi bros..



I ran into a spot of problem



I bought some items for some people from an Aussie website and decided to break the shipment into 3 to avoid GST



The cost of each package was SGD370+ But when factor in the shipping, it became $416 (according to fedex who did the conversion)



When i received the items, I did not need to pay GST. But almost 2 weeks later, Fedex sent me a bill (3 bills actually) to pay for the GST.



I was wondering

1) Is the shipping cost actually added in when the customs calculate the total cost of the package in order to charge GST?

I was always under the impression tat the GST will be charged only on the cost of the item, and the shipping cost is not supposed to be included.



2) How come they can ask me to pay GST 2 weeks after i receive the package? Kinda strange leh



I called up Fedex, they insisted that the shipping cost has to be factored into the items cost and that they say that they will open a dispute (and will charge me accordingly still) if i wanna go and dispute the GST claim.



:(
roo7
Query abt GST; need help and advice
Shipping is always included for GST computation. Now what happen is fedex paid the GST for you, so they are billing you separately.



I got hit once. Pay GST plus admin fee :(





Sent via iPhone
ruzmidah
Re: Query abt GST; need help and advice
Ah crap.... like tt no case if i open dispute unless the aussie merchant can omit the shipping cost from the "latest" invoice.... =(



My pocket hurt liao... tot can gain karma by helping people buy but then kena burn =(
oOsiMm
Re: Query abt GST; need help and advice
bro,this is one case that has 'no fight' one... I also learnt along the way.



Be it a using courier(Fedex,UPS,DHL,TNT) or Singpost(say USPS express/pirority/registered), as long as when the parcel enters our customs and checked that on the declaration form its more than 400SGD(with postage included),you got to pay the GST.



Good thing is that for courier,they will send item to your doorstep and bill you later(normally its 2 weeks because of paperwork process). You get your item faster.



If thru Singpost,it be detained by Customs at Post Center and claim it by paying the gst on the spot. But will be delayed because Singpost need to send you the GST notification letter(2 working days after arrive in Singapore). If you can track the item online and if shows that its already detained by customs,you can go down straight to Customs with NRIC and invoice(paypal slip,etc) to claim your item.



Customs GST method is more flexible IMO because as long as you can provide a proof that shipping (say 50USD) is already included in total,then the officer will just bill you the total and not add them up.



But the best way to avoid all the hassle is to arrange a proper declaration value with the sender although many times will cock up somewhere.



*I bought something online from states and pay ard 500USD shipped express mail to Sg. Then got notified that its begin detained by customs and then went to claim it with my printed paypal invoice.

To my surprise,saw the declaration form (written by sender) that showed the total value of item as 500USD and postage 50USD. So customs officer asked if postage included in total? I told him yes and showed him paypal invoice as proof.so in the end its just 7% of 500USD.
ruzmidah
Re: Query abt GST; need help and advice
Hi Oosim bro...



But then my item was

AUD286 (ie SGD380) + AUD25 shipping (ard SGD30)

I can get an invoice from the seller with the breakdown of the prices



So they should charge GST on the SGD380 rite?

which equates to $0 since < $400



Also, for UPS, i will pay GST on the spot to the postman. This is the 1st time i had to pay GST 2 weeks later leh =(, so kinda suspicious....
roo7
Re: Query abt GST; need help and advice
Bro,



Don't need to think so much, shipping is always included as part of the computation, unless like OSIM bro mentioned, that the shipping cost of $XX is already included, then probably you can siam the GST.



http://www.customs.gov.sg/leftNav/trad/cle/Internet+PurchasesPostal+Parcels.htm" false;


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.
GBB2007
Re: Query abt GST; need help and advice
I was slapped with GST for a package that costs S$370 + $35 shipping. It was delivered via EMS and I had to pay the GST (cash only) on the spot or else the courier would take the package back to Paya Lebar. :x
CoolieND
Re: Query abt GST; need help and advice

"GBB2007"

I was slapped with GST for a package that costs S$370 + $35 shipping. It was delivered via EMS and I had to pay the GST (cash only) on the spot or else the courier would take the package back to Paya Lebar. :x


Eh, that gives a good excuse to go to K2! :D
navik
Re: Query abt GST; need help and advice
Sorry to bring up an old thread, can I confirm that Fedex will only send the invoice for GST about 2 weeks later, also how much is the admin fee? Just received my package my Steinhart today, the guy just delivered and left, never say anything about GST. My friends asking how much their watches cost, so need to breakdown for them.
roo7
Re: Query abt GST; need help and advice
You will get the invoice within that week one, very fast one.



Admin fee, I think it's $10.
navik
Re: Query abt GST; need help and advice

"roo7"

You will get the invoice within that week one, very fast one.



Admin fee, I think it's $10.


Thanks !
xzqt
Re: Query abt GST; need help and advice
Oh, so breakdown in multiple shipment is useless.
ivan
Re: Query abt GST; need help and advice
Next time go through the non fedex way.

You can get to go to paya lebar to pick up your parcel and walk over to K2.



One stone kills 2 birds



Sent from my GT-N7105 using Tapatalk 2
CoolieND
Re: Query abt GST; need help and advice

"xzqt"

Oh, so breakdown in multiple shipment is useless.


No - if the shipments break down to below $400 in value each (including shipping cost), then they won't be charged GST. Of course, if the shipments all end up above that figure you might as well just ship together.
Cosmograph
Re: Query abt GST; need help and advice

"ivan"

Next time go through the non fedex way.

You can get to go to paya lebar to pick up your parcel and walk over to K2.



One stone kills 2 birds



Sent from my GT-N7105 using Tapatalk 2


"xzqt"

Oh, so breakdown in multiple shipment is useless.




That's why listen to senior who recommend this way as above. Best is ship the sum of watch parts like balance wheel, bracelet, etc separately and make sure each box under S$400, collect from Paya lebar than go K2 to fix it up. No GST! No admin fee! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
ivan
Re: Query abt GST; need help and advice

"Cosmograph"

[quote="ivan"]Next time go through the non fedex way.

You can get to go to paya lebar to pick up your parcel and walk over to K2.



One stone kills 2 birds



Sent from my GT-N7105 using Tapatalk 2


"xzqt"

Oh, so breakdown in multiple shipment is useless.




That's why listen to senior who recommend this way as above. Best is ship the sum of watch parts like balance wheel, bracelet, etc separately and make sure each box under S$400, collect from Paya lebar than go K2 to fix it up. No GST! No admin fee! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:[/quote]

Havent told u the few missing shipments via ems yet hor.

:grin:



Sent from my GT-N7105 using Tapatalk 2
thedraperyfalls
Re: Query abt GST; need help and advice
The crux of the problem is the conversion rate.

You have to check what exchange rate they are using to convert USD to SGD.



I often use Comgateway, and the exchange rate they are using is 1.49 or something around there.

They say it's the Singapore customs exchange rate.



I suspect Fedex or DHL uses the same conversion rate too.

Therein lies discrepancy with your personal calculations.



Remember to check the 'shipping rates' and 'custom charges' the next time round!
CoolieND
Re: Query abt GST; need help and advice

"Cosmograph"

That's why listen to senior who recommend this way as above. Best is ship the sum of watch parts like balance wheel, bracelet, etc separately and make sure each box under S$400, collect from Paya lebar than go K2 to fix it up. No GST! No admin fee! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:


So, this one will be Singapore Made like that? :P ;)
Okies65
Re: Query abt GST; need help and advice
Have to include shipping, customs duty(if any) and insurance charges when calculating GST - currently studying Singapore Taxation for CPA (exam in another 2 days.. ).
CoolieND
Re: Query abt GST; need help and advice

"Okies65"

Have to include shipping, customs duty(if any) and insurance charges when calculating GST - currently studying Singapore Taxation for CPA (exam in another 2 days.. ).


:? Isn't customs duty = GST? or are you talking about other customs duty?
roo7
Re: Query abt GST; need help and advice
I assume customs duty is other taxes from the customs ? Like alcohol tax ?



Not very sure too, but in our context of watches, as long it's more than $400, it's 7% more for GST.
CoolieND
Re: Query abt GST; need help and advice
Oh, like that. :lol: :lol: yea, I was not thinking about any other goods at all. :oops:
Okies65
Re: Query abt GST; need help and advice
There are other duties la.. Eg tax on alcohol etc.
CoolieND
Re: Query abt GST; need help and advice
Yea... again, wasn't thinking about other goods at all, was very confused by that. :oops: maybe I shouldn't be posting @ 1:30am (or later!). ;)