Cell phones and Hebrew support

[shimi]

On Sun, Sep 18, 2011 at 9:51 PM, Stan Goodman <stan.goodman at hashkedim.com>wrote:

> On Thursday 15 September 2011 18:22:25 you wrote:
> > Hi Stan,
> > First, you need to decide which OS based do you want your phone, and
> > maybe which brand.
> >
> > If it's Android, then Galaxy S-2 or the old Galaxy S could fit the
> > bill. Hebrew support can be added to them easily.
> >
> > You can buy from eBay, but make sure that it support the band that
> > your cellular company supports.
> >
> > Good luck,
> > Hetz
>
> I've ordered an HTC Aria, from Amazon rather than ebay, for what seems
> to be the low side of the going rate on both sites ($255), and device is
> now in the care of FedEx, en route.
>
> I had been congratulating myself for what I saw as a coup, until I had a
> chat today with FedEx, who informed me that taxes due on the shipment
> will be NIS 516.38, which is far greater than I had expected. and which
> pretty well wipes out any price advantage from purchase at
> Amazon/ebay.etc.
>
> Perhaps I have become spoiled by the low customs rates of late for
> computer gear. Can this sum really be right, not an error or an act of
> revenge by a crazed and vindictive customs agent?
>
>
"Phones" are taxed (IIRC) 16% by the state of Israel. Anything with a
declared value > $50 (or the customs guy thinks it's > $50 even though it
was declared lower) - will have to pay relevant import taxes and V.A.T.  So
16% because it's a phone, add 16% VAT. And yes, shipment is included in the
calculation of the "goods".

Does the sum still look weird?

-- Shimi
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