I had an unpleasant experience importing a TT. it was my mistake. I did not know about the import rules and used electronics are banned from import. I did not inform the sender that not to mark as used item. all the invoice and parcel were marked as used player. the item reached chennai within 4 days of shipment (sender was doing a favor by sending through cheapest means and he choose EMS SPEED POST) when I got the letter from customs I reached there and the found out about the rules for importing the used electronics. It was not only the fine, but to claim the item you need to get NOC from environmental ministry, then you have to hire a assessor on his own convenient time, then the customs will tax the assessed value and the fine. the officials said they were willing to help but the since it was declared as used,they can do nothing.
they advised me instead of going through the hassles, better return the item and ask the sender to send it back without declaring it as used. i did the same. now after 2 months passed, the sender sending me a photograph where the parcel was opened , dropped, damaged and tied with ropes,this was the way the speed post handled the parcel irrespective of marking allover as fragile. I myself had seen the way they handle the parcels at the air cargo office at the post office when i went. my eyes started bleeding. ultimately the sender repacked the item( luckily there was no damage to the TT), and I asked them to send to UK where my friend will collect and hand carry it.
my shipping charges doubled and the total cost. apparently this was my first TT and after 5 months I am still waiting for it.
EMS, SPEED POST..... Never
Arun
