Cell phones and Hebrew support

[geoffrey mendelson]

On Sep 18, 2011, at 10:23 PM, shimi wrote:
>
> "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?



VAT is 16.5% (I know, a small difference), and there are customs  
clearing fees. If the package is sent via the mail (except EMS), AND  
it is less than $50 in value (a flexible number), then it arrives TAX  
free. If the contents (1 in 10 are actually examined) and it is deemed  
to be an item that requires a permit, you will be notified and the  
package held until they receive it.

Once a duty is levied, it applies to the entire price, which includes  
the value of the item, all shipping and handling costs, customs  
clearing fees, local delivery, etc. Then that amount is subject to  
VAT. Base delivery costs via FEDEX/DHL/UPS may not include delivery in  
the stachim, the golan, the negev and Eilat. It depends upon where you  
are.

EMS packages are charged a customs clearing fee of about 35 NIS (about  
32 NS +VAT) NO MATTER WHAT THEIR VALUE.

FEDEX/DHL/UPS etc make their money by both charging all sorts of fees,  
and get away with it because if it is possible to charge taxes on  
something they will, and they pick the highest possible taxes.  
Commercial customers don't care, they get it back when they file a bi- 
monthly VAT return. What they don't get back, they pass it on to their  
customers.

I buy a lot of small things from eBay, I make sure to keep the value  
under $50, and if I have a choice of free shipping, or not, I don't  
take the free shipping unless the items total under $30 or so. I'd  
rather pay $35 an $16 (or $20) shipping and be under the tax limit,  
than $55 shipping included and be over.

I have had packages get lost or get inspected, one package was lost  
the first time and opened the second because it contained a  
compression tool that smelled of machine oil (like a handgun) and the  
package included 50 connections which under an X-Ray looked like .38  
special cartridges. Once you opened the flap of the envelope and  
peeked in it was obvious it just a tool and some connectors, but  
someone at customs must of thought they had a "live one".

I also had a package of 18 ferrite (compressed powdered iron) rods  
from the Ukraine arrive obviously opened and resealed, which left  
there with 19 in it.

Geoff.


-- 
Geoffrey S. Mendelson,  N3OWJ/4X1GM