Gringoes.com: Sending a phone from UK to Brazil

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adamj
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Joined: 25 January 2011
Location: Brazil
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Topic: Sending a phone from UK to Brazil - Import tax
Posted: 13 July 2012 at 20:09

Hi all. Quick question here. I have a phone back home in England (all paid for before), which I'd like my Mum to send over to me as my current one is dying.

Am I gonna get stung for import tax on it? It's only worth around £150, but I'd rather not pay the 60% tax or whatever ludicrous amount it is. Are there ways to avoid this? I read it can be avoided if it's less than 50 US dollars, or a book. If I lied and pretended it was cheap, or label it as a book, would I be found out? I assume it'd be best to avoid using the original packaging too.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance

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Capybara
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Joined: 08 July 2011
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Posted: 13 July 2012 at 20:14

Honestly, my concern wouldnt be the tax so much as that the phone would be swiped if its something nice.

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adamj
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Posted: 13 July 2012 at 20:28

Like I say, it's only £150 odd. Admittedly, in Brazil it would probably be upwards of 500 reais, but it's not exactly an iPhone. I've even considered having some clothes sent and just having the phone put in a pocket. Or would they notice that?

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Amsterdam
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Joined: 02 March 2012
Location: Brazil
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Posts: 1074

Posted: 13 July 2012 at 20:39

Adamj

Whatever you do its a risk, so you have to decide to take that risk or not.

If you do send it, pack it with soft material, bubble-wrap or whatever, your choice and send it sealed.

Heres the important part - Mark It - Gift - Presente

It should remain untouched. But as i say nothing is guranteed, it is still a risk but i have always received things without problems.

Edited by Amsterdam - 13 July 2012 at 20:43

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adamj
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Posted: 13 July 2012 at 21:43

Thanks a lot. Should I mark it as a mobile phone? Will they even ask this?

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Amsterdam
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Posted: 13 July 2012 at 21:58

Adamj

I definately wouldnt mark it no, just mark it Gift - Presente

and pack it well, obviously so it doesnt get broken.

I cannot obviously guarantee anything but if you want to send it, this is what i would suggest.

Edit. If anyone asks you anything, you tell them it is a gift from your family as simple as that. Which is what it is isnt it.

Edited by Amsterdam - 13 July 2012 at 22:16

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man of leisure
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Joined: 22 January 2008
Location: Brazil
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Posts: 2975

Posted: 14 July 2012 at 06:16

The problem is that absolutely everything is x-rayed but, apart from random trawls, they only have the time and resources to open up those packages that show wires and circuits (which makes perfect sense).

If they think the value is over $50 (inc shipping) they will impose a tax.

Edited by man of leisure - 14 July 2012 at 06:17

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adamj
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Posted: 14 July 2012 at 12:38

Thanks guys. I'll chance it, and see what happens

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Labyras
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Joined: 20 May 2012
Location: Netherlands
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Posted: 14 July 2012 at 23:22

Take the gamble, even when you need to pay the taxes it is still a lot cheaper than buying a phone here in Brasil!

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Bubbles
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Joined: 17 September 2009
Location: United Kingdom
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Posts: 1443

Posted: 17 July 2012 at 04:36

Your other alternative is to ask someone going (from UK) to Brasil to act as a courier for a small fee....or even put out an ad in Gumtree or Craigslist....or here!

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Living in Brazil
Gringoes.com : Brazil : Living in Brazil

Topic: Sending a phone from UK to Brazil - Import tax
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Author	Message
adamj Newbie Joined: 25 January 2011 Location: Brazil Online Status: Offline Posts: 20	Topic: Sending a phone from UK to Brazil - Import tax Posted: 13 July 2012 at 20:09
	Hi all. Quick question here. I have a phone back home in England (all paid for before), which I'd like my Mum to send over to me as my current one is dying. Am I gonna get stung for import tax on it? It's only worth around £150, but I'd rather not pay the 60% tax or whatever ludicrous amount it is. Are there ways to avoid this? I read it can be avoided if it's less than 50 US dollars, or a book. If I lied and pretended it was cheap, or label it as a book, would I be found out? I assume it'd be best to avoid using the original packaging too. Any ideas? Thanks in advance

	IP Logged

Capybara Senior Member Joined: 08 July 2011 Location: Brazil Online Status: Offline Posts: 206	Posted: 13 July 2012 at 20:14
	Honestly, my concern wouldnt be the tax so much as that the phone would be swiped if its something nice.
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adamj Newbie Joined: 25 January 2011 Location: Brazil Online Status: Offline Posts: 20	Posted: 13 July 2012 at 20:28
	Like I say, it's only £150 odd. Admittedly, in Brazil it would probably be upwards of 500 reais, but it's not exactly an iPhone. I've even considered having some clothes sent and just having the phone put in a pocket. Or would they notice that?
	IP Logged

Amsterdam Senior Member Joined: 02 March 2012 Location: Brazil Online Status: Offline Posts: 1074	Posted: 13 July 2012 at 20:39
	Adamj Whatever you do its a risk, so you have to decide to take that risk or not. If you do send it, pack it with soft material, bubble-wrap or whatever, your choice and send it sealed. Heres the important part - Mark It - Gift - Presente It should remain untouched. But as i say nothing is guranteed, it is still a risk but i have always received things without problems. Edited by Amsterdam - 13 July 2012 at 20:43
	IP Logged

adamj Newbie Joined: 25 January 2011 Location: Brazil Online Status: Offline Posts: 20	Posted: 13 July 2012 at 21:43
	Thanks a lot. Should I mark it as a mobile phone? Will they even ask this?
	IP Logged

Amsterdam Senior Member Joined: 02 March 2012 Location: Brazil Online Status: Offline Posts: 1074	Posted: 13 July 2012 at 21:58
	Adamj I definately wouldnt mark it no, just mark it Gift - Presente and pack it well, obviously so it doesnt get broken. I cannot obviously guarantee anything but if you want to send it, this is what i would suggest. Edit. If anyone asks you anything, you tell them it is a gift from your family as simple as that. Which is what it is isnt it. Edited by Amsterdam - 13 July 2012 at 22:16
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man of leisure Gringoes.com Guru Joined: 22 January 2008 Location: Brazil Online Status: Offline Posts: 2975	Posted: 14 July 2012 at 06:16
	The problem is that absolutely everything is x-rayed but, apart from random trawls, they only have the time and resources to open up those packages that show wires and circuits (which makes perfect sense). If they think the value is over $50 (inc shipping) they will impose a tax. Edited by man of leisure - 14 July 2012 at 06:17
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adamj Newbie Joined: 25 January 2011 Location: Brazil Online Status: Offline Posts: 20	Posted: 14 July 2012 at 12:38
	Thanks guys. I'll chance it, and see what happens
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Labyras Senior Member Joined: 20 May 2012 Location: Netherlands Online Status: Offline Posts: 155	Posted: 14 July 2012 at 23:22
	Take the gamble, even when you need to pay the taxes it is still a lot cheaper than buying a phone here in Brasil!
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Bubbles Senior Member Joined: 17 September 2009 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1443	Posted: 17 July 2012 at 04:36
	Your other alternative is to ask someone going (from UK) to Brasil to act as a courier for a small fee....or even put out an ad in Gumtree or Craigslist....or here!
	IP Logged