Buying from overseas - shipping, info and tips
Firstly, the pro of a local dealer:
- service
- warranty
- technical expertise
- product less likely to run the risk of being damaged, and if it is DOA, an exchange is easily sorted out
The cons:
- the local dealer may charge a much higher price
- service may be only half decent
The pros of doing it yourself, or via a professional shipper:
- price = the difference in price can be quite significant (will list some examples later and others can chip in)
- better features
- not available locally
Cons:
- the risk of damage
- voltage issues (more on this later)
- claiming warranty or this may be non-exisitent
- the product may not work locally (tuner channels, NTSC TV sets only)
- complicated shipping
- non-existent shipping
- high tax / cost of shipping
- lousy shipping (more on the choices of shipping)
I think we all know the main reason is COST, and the key is how much we can save, and is it worthwhile?
Shipping choices:
In all cases, caveat emptor, and buy insurance if the item is very expensive.
Direct shipping:
For Discs, and books, this method is simple and Amazon offers an excellent track record. I highly recommend them. But they do not ship many electronics and other items.
Rcently Amazon SG has begun offering some items with free shipping, so that's a good alternative. You get one month free trial. Deep Discount takes a long time and so does Amazon Canada.
Traditional:
DHL, FEDEX etc
Some companies in USA offer such services, as they have experience in shipping overseas. Others do not, and only ship to local addresses. This also applies to UK and many other nations, so check first.
Vpost:
This offers shipping to Singapore from US, UK, Japan and continental Europe
Ezybuy:
This is a new alternative akin to vpost. Cheaper rates and fairly reliable.
For simple items, single items, it is decent. But if you have many items and they can’t arrive at the same time, the costs mount and Vpost does not have a very good track record on this with quite a few complaints. Ezybuy has been doing well and is now chipping away at Vpost.
Voltage:
Many items from USA and other places come only in 110V.
Others use a universal voltage system, so check with the vendor. Some come switched to 110V so check before you plug in!!
Places like Japan have models for export which are 220-240v, but cost more.
Get it in writing that it will work with our 230-240v system. Some tube amps are even more fussy, and owners want it set correctly.
YMMV...
As for step down transformers:
You should get one which handles more power than you need. If the peak consumption of the device is 1000w, don't get one that only handles the RMS wattage.
Places like Home-fix, Sim Lim Tower / Square will sell you one.
For simple items, single items, it is decent. But if you have many items and they can’t arrive at the same time, the costs mount and Vpost does not have a very good track record on this with quite a few complaints. Ezybuy has been doing well and is now chipping away at Vpost.
Voltage:
Many items from USA and other places come only in 110V.
Others use a universal voltage system, so check with the vendor. Some come switched to 110V so check before you plug in!!
Places like Japan have models for export which are 220-240v, but cost more.
Get it in writing that it will work with our 230-240v system. Some tube amps are even more fussy, and owners want it set correctly.
YMMV...
As for step down transformers:
You should get one which handles more power than you need. If the peak consumption of the device is 1000w, don't get one that only handles the RMS wattage.
Places like Home-fix, Sim Lim Tower / Square will sell you one.
But beware of hum issues especially if you are particular about the sound. Furthermore there is a sequence to turn on the transformer first and then wait a bit to turn on the equipment, and reverse this when you turn off.
Amplifiers and other hi fi electronics :
Again check for voltage and warranty issues. For amplifiers and Cd players, there is also the issue of hum and the use of the transformer. The weight of the amp may also incur a high shipping cost.
Speakers:
Now this is when it gets exciting.
No voltage issues except for subwoofers.
If you don’t mind warranty risks, you can carry back, ship speakers and many other places offer significant discounts.
Places to shop:
USA offers many alternatives to buy, and many products are cheaper, or not available here.
You just need to go through the checklist highlighted in the first few posts and assess the risk for yourself.
Hong Kong is another haven, for speakers, HT gear. There are many stores in their hifi area. Blu Rays that come from HKG are best bought there, but nowadays Amazon offers better prices for Hollywood movies.
China is the factory of the world and when you look for alternatives, there are plenty.
Be careful of knock offs, fakes etc. Many big name items are not cheaper there, especially if you take the shipping into account.
But for cables, tube amps that originate from China, it’s a shopper’s paradise. Shenzhen is the got to place for electronics.
Do note some of them only deal locally, and payment is not easy.
Taiwan offers speakers and other items, but do note the voltage issues. Usher speakers are good and really cheap in Taiwan.
Australia and UK offer the advantage of having no voltage issues, but the shipping choices are more limited.
But for UK, if you buy off Amazon UK, you get VAT back which is an important savings.
Tax and GST
Buyers should know anything above $400 is taxable. There are also laws on what can be brought in. Do read the relevant websites.
Importing goods into Singapore
Goods that are imported into Singapore by parcel post through ordinary mail or speedpost (e.g. for goods that are purchased online) are subject to GST. It applies to all new articles, personal articles, souvenirs, gifts, food preparations and dutiable products.
The amount of GST payable is computed based on the CIF value (cost, insurance and freight) of the goods plus all duties payable. The postage charge paid for the goods can be taken as freight and insurance charges.
However, GST need not be paid for the goods (except for dutiable products) if the CIF value is not more than S$400. When the CIF value is more than S$400, the entire sum would be subject to GST.
Valuation, Duties & GST
Amplifiers and other hi fi electronics :
Again check for voltage and warranty issues. For amplifiers and Cd players, there is also the issue of hum and the use of the transformer. The weight of the amp may also incur a high shipping cost.
Speakers:
Now this is when it gets exciting.
No voltage issues except for subwoofers.
If you don’t mind warranty risks, you can carry back, ship speakers and many other places offer significant discounts.
Places to shop:
USA offers many alternatives to buy, and many products are cheaper, or not available here.
You just need to go through the checklist highlighted in the first few posts and assess the risk for yourself.
Hong Kong is another haven, for speakers, HT gear. There are many stores in their hifi area. Blu Rays that come from HKG are best bought there, but nowadays Amazon offers better prices for Hollywood movies.
China is the factory of the world and when you look for alternatives, there are plenty.
Be careful of knock offs, fakes etc. Many big name items are not cheaper there, especially if you take the shipping into account.
But for cables, tube amps that originate from China, it’s a shopper’s paradise. Shenzhen is the got to place for electronics.
Do note some of them only deal locally, and payment is not easy.
Taiwan offers speakers and other items, but do note the voltage issues. Usher speakers are good and really cheap in Taiwan.
Australia and UK offer the advantage of having no voltage issues, but the shipping choices are more limited.
But for UK, if you buy off Amazon UK, you get VAT back which is an important savings.
Tax and GST
Buyers should know anything above $400 is taxable. There are also laws on what can be brought in. Do read the relevant websites.
Importing goods into Singapore
Goods that are imported into Singapore by parcel post through ordinary mail or speedpost (e.g. for goods that are purchased online) are subject to GST. It applies to all new articles, personal articles, souvenirs, gifts, food preparations and dutiable products.
The amount of GST payable is computed based on the CIF value (cost, insurance and freight) of the goods plus all duties payable. The postage charge paid for the goods can be taken as freight and insurance charges.
However, GST need not be paid for the goods (except for dutiable products) if the CIF value is not more than S$400. When the CIF value is more than S$400, the entire sum would be subject to GST.
Valuation, Duties & GST
This GST tax is going to change soon too... look out for updates.
Current rules:
____________________________________________________________ I have no financial interest or other interests in any of the items / events I write about.
Comments
Post a Comment