Airport Customs

[RNIverson]

are dvd/s sealed/unsealed declared at customs, specifically at NAIA? 

[crazyguyallert]

I bought a bunch of dvds in singapore and nothing happend to me. 



Hope that helps....

[Platinum]

Sir crazyguyallert,
Where in Singapore did you buy your dvds? How much is the regular price?
Thanks in advance

[daigoro]

Depends on how many you bought. one or two, i don't think they will bother. 6-10? they might try to harass you but argue that they are for personal use. One thing you can do is to pack the labels, cases and discs seperately (i.e. put the labels inside a book or magazine, put the discs in cd jewel cases and put the amarays in a box.

[patring]

In the last 12 months I've travelled 3 times and brought home a lot DVDs (including box sets) each time, all for personal use.  I've never declared them and have not had any problems so far.  No "special technique" in packing them, I just wrap each sealed case with clothes and pack them accordingly.

[crazyguyallert]

Sir crazyguyallert,
Where in Singapore did you buy your dvds? How much is the regular price?
Thanks in advance

In actually depends sir, in HMV the prices go up to 19-48 sing and pice, the boxset can go up to 100 plus. Its also good to buy in super marketrs because there cheaper. But HMV is just, how can I say this: HEAVEN. 

Depends on how many you bought. one or two, i don't think they will bother. 6-10? they might try to harass you but argue that they are for personal use. One thing you can do is to pack the labels, cases and discs seperately (i.e. put the labels inside a book or magazine, put the discs in cd jewel cases and put the amarays in a box.

I bought more then 10, I think 13 and they were just in a hard bag paper bag, ones you would find in clothes shops. 

[RNIverson]

thanks for the info guys    planning to buy some dvds here in sg. saw hk dvds that are in my wishlist in yesasia 

where is hmv here in sg? still new around here so i dont know many places yet 

[vtec3]

Came from the US last summer and bought lots of DVDs, did not declare it sa customs although humingi sa akin ng pang coffee siguro dahil midnight na ako dumating at inaantok na sila  what i did is hinati hati ko sila sa mga luggage ko and most of it nasa hand carry ko 

[subtitle]

this reminds me of a friend who bought over $1000 worth of anime dvds from the US. i don't know how he got that stuff past customs.

[RNIverson]

Came from the US last summer and bought lots of DVDs, did not declare it sa customs although humingi sa akin ng pang coffee siguro dahil midnight na ako dumating at inaantok na sila  what i did is hinati hati ko sila sa mga luggage ko and most of it nasa hand carry ko 

nde ba mas delikado pag nasa hand carry kasi makikita nila talaga? although at least the dvds will be safe from damage 

[jojitv]

I think as long as hindi commercial quantity ang dami ng each title, ok lang. Kung for personal use lang naman, they don't usually make a fuss of it. Unless siguro kung yung balikbayan box mo ay DVDs lang ang laman, maha-harass ka na nun.

[ralfy]

Sometimes they'll check and sometimes they won't, sometimes they'll charge you and sometimes they won't.

[RNIverson]

how about small appliances like portable dvd players... would these be declared?

[patring]

came back from a vacation last month and i noticed that a lot of people on the plane had portable dvd players with them. not sure if they were all new, but they were definitely being used on the flight. i'm guessing you don't have to declare it if you can make it appear that it's used already? my sister bought a laptop and handcarried it in its bag and the customs people didn't even blink.

[RNIverson]

thanks for the info. i was planning to carry it without the box 

[im2bz]

i don't think you have to declare it as long na isa or dalawang laptop lang, if they ask always answer na it's for personal use. 

[yentown kid]

idon't know if this will help...

i was in HK a week ago
and got myself 120++ pieces of DVD's

nothing happened at the airport.

will post pic of my luggage as soon as i get my digicam working.

[JohnE.]

idon't know if this will help...

i was in HK a week ago
and got myself 120++ pieces of DVD's

nothing happened at the airport.

will post pic of my luggage as soon as i get my digicam working.

 :othat's a lot of DVDs!

[info@myUSAmailbox.com.ph]

In response to the DVD quantity question, the key phrase here is COMMERCIAL QUANTITY. As per customs rule, "You cannot ship any items of the same kind in commercial quantities.  Quantity of the same kind greater than 12 is considered commercial quantity."

Just don't go beyond the COMMERCIAL QUANTITY and you won't get flagged.

To the guys who were able to sneak pass customs carrying tons of DVDs, you just got lucky.

[Moks007]

how about playstation 3? how will you bring it in? Ma tax ba?

[RNIverson]

anyone who can share their experiences with Clark Airport? mahigpit (corrupt?) raw ang customs dun   

[archiep]

Guys,

What if baligtad naman? You bringing DVDs to the US, di ba pwede? Sabi isa ko friend di daw pwede huhulihin daw.

Any ideas?

Archiep

[AICRAG]

Bawal magdala ng pirated dvds and audio cds sa US.
Original lang pwede.
Sama mo Official receipt ng items.  walang problema kung ganun.(ginagawa ko to kung magdadala ako ng OPM na cds at tagalog na dvds sa friends ko sa US).
Pag bumili ako ng item sa SM, dala pati SM plastic bag at naka stapler pa OR sa plastic. Walang issue yun.
Kung gusto mo sigurado walang hassle sa yo, wag ka na lang magdala.

[frootloops]

In response to the DVD quantity question, the key phrase here is COMMERCIAL QUANTITY. As per customs rule, "You cannot ship any items of the same kind in commercial quantities.  Quantity of the same kind greater than 12 is considered commercial quantity."

Just don't go beyond the COMMERCIAL QUANTITY and you won't get flagged.

To the guys who were able to sneak pass customs carrying tons of DVDs, you just got lucky.

In addition,  anything above $350 must be declared. Commercial merchandise are articles for sale, or other goods not considered personal effects of the traveller.

Local residents must declare the total value of ALL articles, including commercial goods and samples they acquired abroad (whether new or used; dutiable or not; and whether obtained by purchase,received as gift or otherwise) including those articles purchased in DUTY FREE stores in the Philippines or abroad., which are in their possession at the time of arrival.

For Overseas Contract Workers and Balikbayans (more than 1yr abroad), they are normally entitled to a duty free exemption of 10,000ph. Duty imposed normally ranges from 3% to 50% rate depending on the items imported.

anyone who can share their experiences with Clark Airport? mahigpit (corrupt?) raw ang customs dun   

Medyo, kasi since konti ang flight dun, para silang laging gutom na aso. 

Guys,

What if baligtad naman? You bringing DVDs to the US, di ba pwede? Sabi isa ko friend di daw pwede huhulihin daw.

Any ideas?

Archiep

Just to add on AICRAG's post, even the CD-R's are sometimes bound for inspection, they are specifically looking for home made, p**ted porns. I have an officemate who were sent back and visa cancelled. Customs saw the rolled DVD cover, they later asked for the DVD's,  the p**ted DVDs were seen inside his case logic. Another thing, if you intend to bring in this illegal stuff,(which I highly suggest you do not) make sure you do not put it inside your balikbayan box or hand-carry,because 90% this will be checked. Put it inside your suitcase if you use one.

Tiyempuhan pa rin if you are to ask me....lakas ng loob at determinasyon ang kailangan. 

how about playstation 3? how will you bring it in? Ma tax ba?

It depends on where you are coming from. If US, if you dont intend to declare it, just make sure you hide it properly. If it is in its original box, thats another story.

Okay here's a tip: ALL flights coming in from Hong Kong, China, Singapore and Macau are being X-RAYED here at our airport, so chances are if you are bringing in electronics or any items in volume, your bags will surely be checked. How will you know? Look for the "X" written with chalk in your bag. But if you dont have anything to hide, I request that you do not give any money. Let them check your bag.

[oReOsHaKe]

Planning to buy a Macbook in the US.. Will this be taxed at the airport customs if it is brought in in its original box?

[frootloops]

Planning to buy a Macbook in the US.. Will this be taxed at the airport customs if it is brought in in its original box?

If seen and declared...yes.

[oReOsHaKe]

If seen and declared...yes.

How is the best way to get this in?  In a computer bag and handcarried?  I understand that a computer bag is not included with macbook.

[frootloops]

How is the best way to get this in?  In a computer bag and handcarried?  I understand that a computer bag is not included with macbook.

I believe yes -or- put in inside your rollaboard handcarry bag (if you use one). Handcarry bags are normally not checked.

[jackryan]

brought in about 6 2DIN TV / DVD / MP3 / Head Display Units from Hong Kong and noticed the X mark on the Samsonite bag --- solution: I put it in the very bottom of my push trolley.

in another trip from the US recently, I brought bag 2 laptops, 1 HD-DVD players, a bunch of XBOX360 games and WII and PS3 accessories... so far managed to get through without problems... just pretend uninterested, bored and tired.

At any rate, just be prepared for the consequences in case you get caught...

[Mo®pHeOu$]

During my recent trip to HK, was able to buy more than 40DVds titles.  I just placed them inside my luggage and didn't declare them. 

Also bought some toys and vtech laptops and put them on a box.  The customs personnel just asked what's in the box and we said toys for the kids and then let us thru.