The Official Skybox Thread: Take 2

agent007 · Postby **agent007** » September 5th, 2020, 7:50 am

For those who feel this means an S10 will be like 3 and 4k thereabouts, watch and see this would simply mean more profits for the dealers cause the proportionate savings will not be passed on to the consumer. Willing to bet.

adnj · Postby **adnj** » September 5th, 2020, 8:15 am

agent007 wrote:For those who feel this means an S10 will be like 3 and 4k thereabouts, watch and see this would simply mean more profits for the dealers cause the proportionate savings will not be passed on to the consumer. Willing to bet.

Many phones sold locally when compared to wholesale are already priced as though there is no added duty or VAT.

It may be more likely that some of the many TT phone stores and dealers will close their doors because of lower import prices.

francis1979 · Postby **francis1979** » September 5th, 2020, 8:17 am

adnj wrote:
agent007 wrote:For those who feel this means an S10 will be like 3 and 4k thereabouts, watch and see this would simply mean more profits for the dealers cause the proportionate savings will not be passed on to the consumer. Willing to bet.
Many phones sold locally are already priced as though there is no added duty or VAT.

It may be more likely that some of the many TT phone stores and dealers will close their doors because of lower import prices.

The bigger dealers who purchase wholesale will survive
The smaller dealers will be at a disadvantage

Chimera · Postby **Chimera** » September 5th, 2020, 10:40 am

Exactly. The big wholesalers dont pay any taxes as it is. And you can buy locally cheaper than ordering it in yourself.

adnj wrote:
agent007 wrote:For those who feel this means an S10 will be like 3 and 4k thereabouts, watch and see this would simply mean more profits for the dealers cause the proportionate savings will not be passed on to the consumer. Willing to bet.
Many phones sold locally when compared to wholesale are already priced as though there is no added duty or VAT.

It may be more likely that some of the many TT phone stores and dealers will close their doors because of lower import prices.

bluefete · Postby **bluefete** » September 8th, 2020, 9:17 am

TROPICAL EXPRESS

NEWSFLASH

DATE: 8th September, 2020

NEWSFLASH:

Latest Tax Inquiry

Dear Valued Members,

We hope all is well with you and your family during this time.

With regards to the latest notice by Minister of Finance Colm Imbert in relation to removal of taxes on laptop computers, notebook computers and tablet computers we would like to further clarify this information for you.

This removal would actually require a Legal Notice which would have to go through the Ministry of Trade and Industry firstly and thereafter to the legal department of Customs and then to the Asycuda department before these items can be classified without the taxes.

These steps have yet to be completed and Customs has not confirmed whether they have received this mandate, and are currently continuing to impose the regular taxes until further notice.

There are no Legal Notices issued or published to date on the TT Governments websites as seen below.

http://laws.gov.tt/ttdll-web/revision/bylegalnotice

http://www.news.gov.tt/content/e-gazette

Please note that the removal of taxes on the other items mentioned would have to follow the same process before implementation.

An IMPORTANT TIP to keep in mind when shipping items that are free of duty and/or tax charges, it is recommended that you ship these items separately from your other purchases in order to benefit from these exemptions.

We will continue to work alongside Customs and adhere to all requirements and guarantee that we will be ready to make all necessary adjustments.

If you have further questions or comments about this mandate you can contact Customs via the Ministry of Finance.

Custom House (Port-of-Spain)
Government Campus Plaza
Ajax Street, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain
Phone: 1-(868)-625-3311
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday except public holidays
email: asycuda@customs.gov.tt

via e-mail.

Turbo Turtle · Postby **Turbo Turtle** » September 8th, 2020, 9:34 am

We know that there are some queries regarding the recent decision by the Minister of Finance to remove all taxes on laptops and tablets. Please note:

The exempted taxes are VAT, Duty, and the Online Purchase Tax.

The Customs and Excise Division has approved the policy, effective 7-September-2020.

Any CSF invoices dated September 5th or after for these items will reflect the reduced charges. However, should you have other items in your package(s) they will be subject to the standard fees.

It is recommended that you ship these items separately from your other purchases in order to benefit from these exemptions.

If you would like to find out more about this, please contact our helpful Customer Support Team for more details!

Regards,

CSF Couriers Limited

Quality Tech Deals · Postby **Quality Tech Deals** » September 8th, 2020, 10:00 am

Tropical and CSF haven't publicized these statements yet. I guess they are just responding to individual emails.

PapaC · Postby **PapaC** » September 8th, 2020, 1:03 pm

Quick question, the classification for wireless routers is what?

Gladiator · Postby **Gladiator** » September 8th, 2020, 10:41 pm

Waiting 3 weeks now for an AV receiver to ship and clear. Just got raped so hard I can hardly catch myself... Thanks Colm

FREIGHT 500.50
DUTY 981.36
VAT 778.96
OPT 343.48
TOTAL
TTD 2604.30

carluva · Postby **carluva** » September 9th, 2020, 7:34 am

What type of receiver was it and what was the cost price?

Gladiator wrote:Waiting 3 weeks now for an AV receiver to ship and clear. Just got raped so hard I can hardly catch myself... Thanks Colm

FREIGHT 500.50
DUTY 981.36
VAT 778.96
OPT 343.48
TOTAL
TTD 2604.30

Dohplaydat · Postby **Dohplaydat** » September 9th, 2020, 7:52 am

carluva wrote:What type of receiver was it and what was the cost price?
Gladiator wrote:Waiting 3 weeks now for an AV receiver to ship and clear. Just got raped so hard I can hardly catch myself... Thanks Colm

FREIGHT 500.50
DUTY 981.36
VAT 778.96
OPT 343.48
TOTAL
TTD 2604.30

Given the opt is 343, the original device might have cost just over $700USD.

OP you didn't get rape that bad....those taxes seem to be worked out correctly

*KRONIK* · Postby ***KRONIK*** » September 9th, 2020, 9:00 am

I think too many of us got spoilt by the companies evading taxes and passing it on to us, now that we need to comply with exact implementation of taxes based on value, we feeling it

Redman · Postby **Redman** » September 9th, 2020, 9:47 am

*KRONIK* wrote:I think too many of us got spoilt by the companies evading taxes and passing it on to us, now that we need to comply with exact implementation of taxes based on value, we feeling it

This has been my experience.

The last 3 items felt expensive but worked out according to the prescribed formula.

I think the skybox companies were able to make some money on the serial undercharging by officers-maybe for a %?

Gladiator · Postby **Gladiator** » September 9th, 2020, 10:12 am

Actually cost price was 450usd... Customs jacked up the value.

Is there any recourse ... Can anybody advise?

carluva wrote:What type of receiver was it and what was the cost price?
Gladiator wrote:Waiting 3 weeks now for an AV receiver to ship and clear. Just got raped so hard I can hardly catch myself... Thanks Colm

FREIGHT 500.50
DUTY 981.36
VAT 778.96
OPT 343.48
TOTAL
TTD 2604.30

Dizzy28 · Postby **Dizzy28** » September 9th, 2020, 10:18 am

Gladiator wrote:Actually cost price was 450usd... Customs jacked up the value.

Is there any recourse ... Can anybody advise?
carluva wrote:What type of receiver was it and what was the cost price?
Gladiator wrote:Waiting 3 weeks now for an AV receiver to ship and clear. Just got raped so hard I can hardly catch myself... Thanks Colm

FREIGHT 500.50
DUTY 981.36
VAT 778.96
OPT 343.48
TOTAL
TTD 2604.30

policyunit@customs.gov.tt

kris420 · Postby **kris420** » September 9th, 2020, 2:51 pm

goodday anyone could tell me the average price to clear a dji drone? thanks

Dohplaydat · Postby **Dohplaydat** » September 9th, 2020, 2:59 pm

Gladiator wrote:Actually cost price was 450usd... Customs jacked up the value.

Is there any recourse ... Can anybody advise?
carluva wrote:What type of receiver was it and what was the cost price?
Gladiator wrote:Waiting 3 weeks now for an AV receiver to ship and clear. Just got raped so hard I can hardly catch myself... Thanks Colm

FREIGHT 500.50
DUTY 981.36
VAT 778.96
OPT 343.48
TOTAL
TTD 2604.30

Yes this is the nonsense customs does do, there is recourse but it takes a while. The item came with an invoice in the shipment?

redmanjp · Postby **redmanjp** » September 9th, 2020, 3:35 pm

Turbo Turtle wrote:We know that there are some queries regarding the recent decision by the Minister of Finance to remove all taxes on laptops and tablets. Please note:

The exempted taxes are VAT, Duty, and the Online Purchase Tax.

The Customs and Excise Division has approved the policy, effective 7-September-2020.

Any CSF invoices dated September 5th or after for these items will reflect the reduced charges. However, should you have other items in your package(s) they will be subject to the standard fees.

It is recommended that you ship these items separately from your other purchases in order to benefit from these exemptions.

If you would like to find out more about this, please contact our helpful Customer Support Team for more details!

Regards,

CSF Couriers Limited

i thought it was from Sept. 4th Imbert say

also, is the other highlighted line saying you would not get vat/opt exempted if say you order a router or any other vatable device with your order?

maj. tom · Postby **maj. tom** » September 9th, 2020, 3:47 pm

Trinidad is such a hilarious place.

adnj · Postby **adnj** » September 9th, 2020, 5:10 pm

kris420 wrote:goodday anyone could tell me the average price to clear a dji drone? thanks

Assuming a Phantom 3 with camera

Values in US$

Price 700
Shipping (10lbs) 30
Subtotal 730
Duty 20% 146
VAT 12.5% 110
OPT 7% 51

US$337 (TT$2290)

Strugglerzinc · Postby **Strugglerzinc** » September 9th, 2020, 7:23 pm

adnj wrote:
kris420 wrote:goodday anyone could tell me the average price to clear a dji drone? thanks
Assuming a Phantom 3 with camera

Values in US$

Price 700
Shipping (10lbs) 30
Subtotal 730
Duty 20% 146
VAT 12.5% 110
OPT 7% 51

US$337 (TT$2290)

DJI Mavic Mini fly more cleared last week, roughly $1500 TTD total on a $500USD drone

Customs WILL detain it until you get Civil Aviation clearance then you have to take a whole day and go customs bond to get it.

zoom rader · Postby **zoom rader** » September 9th, 2020, 8:32 pm

maj. tom wrote:Trinidad is such a hilarious place.

It is a discussing country filled with
red tape,
lazy workers
bad customer service
Idoits
PNM ppl

Jade_Inc. · Postby **Jade_Inc.** » September 13th, 2020, 8:22 am

Hey, Good morning
Did the minister say a date when the no taxes on laptops, tabs etc is valid until?

shaneelal · Postby **shaneelal** » September 13th, 2020, 8:26 am

Jade_Inc. wrote:Hey, Good morning
Did the minister say a date when the no taxes on laptops, tabs etc is valid until?

31st Dec. 2020

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=756454#p10086403

bluefete · Postby **bluefete** » September 13th, 2020, 8:27 am

Jade_Inc. wrote:Hey, Good morning
Did the minister say a date when the no taxes on laptops, tabs etc is valid until?

Th current legal notice has a sunset clause of 31/12/2020.

But I am not sure if he will extend it after the budget is debated and passed.

*KRONIK* · Postby ***KRONIK*** » September 13th, 2020, 9:55 am

Well its a while since tropical express stopped their "ocean freight" option....

Who dependable for that right now?

Postby **Dave** » September 13th, 2020, 11:29 am

Seabox?
Haven't used them in a while but never had any issues.

*KRONIK* · Postby ***KRONIK*** » September 13th, 2020, 12:32 pm

I find their calculator relllllll discouraging tho.

When you (could have) run side x side with tropical, seabox more expensive

Dave wrote:Seabox?
Haven't used them in a while but never had any issues.

R.P.J · Postby **R.P.J** » September 17th, 2020, 8:11 am

Anyone with jetbox International. My oh my. They service has dropped tremendously packages beings delivered monday at Miami warehouse manifested Packages 3 and 4 days after. Taking very long to get packages with them

screwbash · Postby **screwbash** » September 17th, 2020, 8:25 am

same with bluesky. got an alert that it reach miami an sign for since 3rd sept and yet to see or hear anything else. idk if them consolidating up there and then tell we they dont consolidate and charge we a set ah money but its 2 weeks and it aint reach in trinidad.