If I bring new desktop computer to Bogota...Customs problems???

ACBlessing says on Feb 19, 2005, 22:50:

Not at all. I've never even been asked to open any bags in my several trips to Bogota. I stopped taking my laptop there only because it's too much crap to lug around for the occasional email that I can do at any internet cafe anyway.

Alex Blessing, Spokane, WA USA
alex at acblessing.com
www.acblessing.com

Just plain poor

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Lionheart says on Feb 19, 2005, 23:50:

desktops/towers not advisable With a new computer in original boxes chances are high that you will be asked questions. Additionally the monitor is heavy and can very easily break. Most computer peripherals can be bought for pretty good prices in Colombia. Scanners break even more easy. I will be moving to Colombia and need to take quite a bit of computer stuff with me, so I am checking what will be hard to get. Fast processors and memory chips are hard to get, possibly the whole motherboard would be a good deal to take along. Fast high capacity hard drives are also a good idea, as well as CD-ROM/DVD burner combos. USB devices might be good, especially if you want external Firewire drives. I will put the CPU, memory and hard drives into my carry-on to be on the safe side, as the drives are pre-loaded with programs and data.

If you want to take a laptop along everything is much easier, I would just make sure that the brand and model can be serviced in Colombia. Not all US brands are easily available there.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Feb 20, 2005, 07:46:

Don't bring "New"? Customs will certainly ask you questions if you bring a new computer in original packaging. Put it in a different box and say it's used and you're giving it as a gift (free) to someone. That should avoid any tax problems.

Alex, the reason you've never been asked to open your bags is because they run about 75% of the stuff through that giant xray machine at customs. They don't ask you to open it unless they see something that interests them. Whenever I bring down computer/electronics stuff (firewire drives, cd burners, video cameras) they almost always ask to look inside my bags.

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YEP says on Feb 20, 2005, 08:00:

he he ... Hollywood ... and who can blame them.
They want a preview on what's hitting the stores next ;-)


-------------------------------------------------------------------
Just another scandinavian getting ready to explore South America

------------------------------------------------------------------- Just another scandinavian getting ready to explore South America

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poco says on Feb 20, 2005, 08:25:

Computer Equipment The preview comment is funny and more of less true. The US will have the latest "stuff" but when it comes to processors,, especially AMD they have the latest.

Computer parts and all peripherals are easy to purchase in Colombia. The latest AMD processors are available, mother boards, empty towers, scanners, monitors, cd burners, ram etc. MANY stores will build a system to your requirements and pocket book. Tulua, Colombia is not exactly a computer mecca but all these things are available there so any major city should have the latest of everything. I use the AST rock motherboard and it works great.

A totally Spanish version of Windows XP is available, including the help files. You can purchase a Spanish keyboard but most folks have no trouble remembering the key sequence to get the correct alphabet letters. Legal copies are about the same price as US,, maybe slightly more.

You should be OK if no one checks your baggage. Late last year Cali had a baggage x-ray machine setup on your way out of the international terminal and all bags were xrayed, I believe the poster above is correct.

Notebooks are never a problem when carried on. Hubs, routers, cables, rw/cds are some things to think about taking,, oh,, ink cartridges and photo quality heavy glossy paper are worth sticking in the luggage,, saves a lot of shopping and the photo quality paper is VERY hard to find for a good price in Colombia. A few years ago I took a small UPS,, fit in carry on. Using a small UPS is recomended,, the electricity is good,, but they do have spikes and line fluctuations,, cheap insurance.

Don’t know what they would ask if system spotted. Personally, I wouldn’t want to be questioned, especially if new. Damage, loss, explanations, potential duties, ??? Using more than half my baggage allowance to save someone else a few bucks? not in my life time.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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tbone says on Feb 20, 2005, 08:57:

computers to colombia i took a computer to my fiancee in a box, i never got asked any questions. i checked it in at LAX and picked it up in b/manga no problems no questions.

tbone

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viewpoint says on Feb 20, 2005, 10:19:

You can bring US$1,500 in electronics through customs without any problem but don't have more than 2-3 each of any one item and it's good to bring your invoices (if new purchases) so you can support the value if asked. If it's more than $1,500 you might have to pay the tax but they don't count that close. The one think they don't like is mulitple items the same as they think you are bbringing it for resale.

I have brought computers (minus monitors) in my suitcases many times with no problems. I fact, I have passed through customs with much more than $1,500 but it was never a problems. Only time I was ever questioned was when I had 35 each ethernet 6 ft. splice cables as I could really explain how I was going to personally use all of those (to their satisfaction) but they said just don't do it again and smiled.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Feb 20, 2005, 10:24:

Okay, related customs question Does the $1,500 exemption apply to things that get shipped down or only to stuff that comes on an airplane as luggage?

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Bruce V. Shrader says on Feb 20, 2005, 16:45:

Shipping to Colombia The only problem, as I see it, with taking things in checked baggage
to Colombia is that you might have all baggage inspected by customs
due to getting the Red Light at checkout. They have a system which
looks like a "traffic light" at the exit. Each person is supposed to push a button by teh light. If you get a green light, then you may pass on through without having your baggage inspected. If you get a red light, then they will ask you to open your basggage for inspection and you might have to pay a tax, depending upon what you are bringing in.

I shipped several large boxes to Colombia by air freight. upon arrival in Cali, the boxes were transported to a bonded warehouse
in Yumbo. The shipment sat there for several days, while we made arrangements for DIAN to come and inspect them. The DIAN agent
had us empty the boxes of all items for inspection. They passed inspection and we were not charged any taxes, however we did have to pay a storage fee to the warehouse. The fee, BTW, was a not cheap!

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utopiacowboy says on Feb 20, 2005, 19:32:

I was able to bring in a new computer for my wife when she lived in Medellin by following Mr. Hollywood's advice.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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viewpoint says on Feb 21, 2005, 03:14:

Mr. Hollywood I know that you can declare that a "separate" shipment is excess baggage if upon enrty into Colombia you make the disclosure on your decation form you get the US$1,500 exemption applied.

I don't remember exactly how we did it but DHL assisted me with the lanuage to put on the form. Once you clear immigration and customs keep a copy of the form (it's supposed to be registered by them but mine was not and didn't seem to matter). I then faxed a copy of the form to DHL's office in Bogota and they quickly cleared my six boxes of business papers and personal items. The bill was almost US$750 (and I get a company discount from DHL) which included freight at US$2.60/LB and customs processing & warehousing.

When you get done with all of that you will never want to see DHL or any major freight forwarder again in your life for shipments to Colombia. I found out later that qualifing freight shippments routed through COPA by an originating freight forwarder can be done much cheaper, faster and more direct into Medellin (like US$0.75 cents/lb.

I have never pursued it but I think that it may be cheaper to just pay COPA whatever their excess baggage charge might be and fly the freight to your Colombia destination as exess baggage. Even if the vaues exceed the $1,500 exemption as all you would have to do is pay the tax and you will have to do that anyway if exceeding the exemption. The risk here is that a bag is lost and the minimal insurance is no compensation for the "big" loss but living in Colombia (or in general) is nothing but a series of risks and you take them preparing for the worst and praying for the best. jajajajaja

I am not going into a lot of detail but I have never found the enforcement of the US$1,500 as a problem because the customs officals (usually military) checking those bags are not computers adding each and every item to a grand total. Many times small electronic devices can cost thousands of dollars but to them it's a fifty dollar event (I think you know what I mean).

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goosekirk says on Feb 21, 2005, 16:36:

My experience I probably brought 100lbs of computer gear with me to Colombia. Had to pay $100 for an extra bag. You're not going to bring anything in its original packaging anyway - big waste of space - so it looks like your own gear anyway. If you buy the biggest officially possible luggage, a mini-tower should just fit. Pull the hard drives and CPU/heatsink for your carryon. Don't even think about trying to ship a monitor.

In several trips through El Dorado, I've never noticed that stoplight thing that Bruce mentioned. Maybe that's new? Regardless, I haven't been stopped and searched by customs yet at all. Like others have said, I doubt it'd be an issue even if they did look.

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viewpoint says on Feb 22, 2005, 02:34:

I have made things much easier in my life by reducing the size of my computer gear (in all locations) to nothing bigger than a Shuttle computer (7.5" X 8" 11.5") at the largest, laptops, Mini-IT, and finally the new Apple Mini Mac 2" X 6.5" X 6.5" and external hard drives and flash memory devices pocket sized.

The laptops are in reality currently the best as you can get very powerful laptops not exceeding 6lbs (3lbs if you like the 12" screen and more $$$) and you have your keyboard, mouse and monitor in one package.

If you have Shuttle computers custom built make sure they install a 56K modem because most are configured solely for broadband, DSL or LAN networks with ethernet connections (unless you specify both).

In a few years you will be able to put the CPU of the computer in your pocket and be good to go. With the Apple Mini Mac or Mini-IT you are almost there. You still need a monitor, keyboard and mouse at your destination.

Plug in your USB port IP phone and you are calling or receiving telephone calls from or to anywhere from anywhere that you have any type of internet connection (dialup, wireless, broadband or DSL).

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juanalejo says on Feb 22, 2005, 06:47:

US 1500 As a traveller you are entitled to bring back USD 1500 in personal things and this might include a computer, so you will not have any problems. When it says personal it does mean not for sale, so if you bring more than one product of lets say a computer, then you might be questioned about it. The red light system has been there since I can remember, on occassions when they are in "operativo" they ignore the system and check everybody. Lately they use the scanners a lot, which in my opinion is fantastic as it avoids opening luggage at the airport. The 1500 is for travellers only, but if you are bringing things through cargo you need to make sure you fill the customs form correctly and have it stamped at the airport so you can show it at when retrieving your merchandise later on.

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goosekirk says on Feb 22, 2005, 12:39:

Viewpoint's right Buying a Shuttle or Mac Mini is really the best way to go. I've been using Shuttles for a few years and generally have really loved 'em. Get a nice mouse with it (I really like the new Logitech wireless), and buy the keyboard and monitor in Colombia. If you're not a geek yourself, have a geek friend order the Shuttle... or just get the Mac Mini. For $500, you can't go wrong.

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