Immigrant with suitcase full of electronics

Folks,

I am thinking of packing a few computer goodies in my luggage for our impending move to Colombia. For example, a wireless N gigabit router, a network camera, some switches and assorted other similar items for use in our new place. I am even contemplating bringing in a new Mac mini in addition to the laptop we've been traveling with.

My question is: Will we be nailed for duty and/or taxes upon arrival? And if so, any idea what the level of pain might be?

I am operating on the assumption that these items would be more expensive in Colombia. When I was there last year I noticed a somewhat limited selection of some of these items - but it is entirely possible that I missed a lot.

As always, thank you for your responses. I hope to be able to give something back in the not to distant future in place of asking all these pesky questions.

Woody

By wcarmack on Sep 21, 2007, 02:45 in Friendly Talkzone.

esanch36 says on Sep 21, 2007, 05:55:

Look on the colombian embassy site

All right, I'll ask: How come it took three seconds to euthanize Eight Belles, but the Womens NBA is starting Year 12???

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RussianFred says on Sep 21, 2007, 07:14:

You should have no problems. I do it every trip.

Annual Drug Deaths: Tobacco: 395,000, Alcohol: 125,000, 'Legal' Drugs: 38,000, Illegal Drug Overdoses: 5,200, Marijuana: 0. Considering government subsidies of tobacco, just what is our government protecting us from in the drug war?--Ralph Nader

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RussianFred says on Sep 21, 2007, 07:15:

You should have no problems. I do it every trip.

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RussianFred says on Sep 21, 2007, 07:15:

You should have no problems. I do it every trip.

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Gator says on Sep 21, 2007, 07:19:

No, When arriving in Colombia from abroad,you are provided a form to fill out and sign declaring your luggage, specify personal belongings, merchandises and the amount of cash yor are carrying into the country.

Personal belongings:

All new or used articles a traveler could reasonable need for his or her personal use during the trip excluding any merchandise destined for commercial use.. Thats the key phrase-if they think it is for resale(probably will not) you could get stuck. New resident coming into the country to live have the right to introduce, without needing an import registration or license, their personal belongings and household goods associated to the family unit. Usual limit is $2.500 USD loosely enforced (hopefully you have the proper visa). Again the key is the items shouldn't arouse suspicion that they may have been imported for commercial purposes

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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Rob77 says on Sep 21, 2007, 07:25:

I read somewhere you are allowed to carry up to 2 laptops with you without any taxes... Don't know what happens with the rest. Try to make it look like its all your personal stuff. They want to prevent people from bringing stuff in for resale without paying taxes. But there is some degree of flexibility for personal items. If you are not carrying multiples of the same items, they will not hassle you. They may try to look at the total value of the goods coming in at one time.

>R

BOYCOTT CITGO - CHAVEZ SUCKS!!!

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poco says on Sep 21, 2007, 09:49:

I've never had a problem BUT some say they have been asked to pay,, at least some posts on this site say it happened.

Anyway, to avoid problems I either:
Wrap it in gift paper with a card and say something nice like.
I hope you use this to can find work and it helps feed your family.
or
Get well soon.
(Use spanish)

I'm taking a NICE ceiling fan and the card will read.

Feliz Cumpleaños

Instale encima de su cama.

Caminar otra vez es un deseo en mi corazón.

or

Remove it from the box, drag it around in the yard, and have your neighbor sign a note saying he hopes this gift helps the people of Colombia.

or

Remove it from the box and make sure you have a receipt from WalMart saying you paid $29.88. PS: Tape the receipt to of the item,, you don't want to look any more clueless than necessary.

A backup plan might be talking in english and saying Please Help Me !!!! in a pleading voice.

Lots of tricks to avoid paying the tax and helping the poor people of Colombia. Do a search.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

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Mr. Hollywood says on Sep 21, 2007, 09:49:

Here's a key detail: Take things out of their OEM boxes. If it's for PERSONAL use then the Colombian authorities won't give you any trouble. If you cruise in with 10 new Nikons in shrink wrapped packages they will.

I've come in with a lot of electronics like you describe and never had them even bat an eye.

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RUV says on Sep 21, 2007, 10:37:

Poco, I can not stop staring at your video clip. .

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Boatygringo says on Sep 21, 2007, 15:54:

I flew out of Ft Lauderdale in June and you should have seen what the colombians heading for Bogata where bringing, the old lady in line with me had two laptop still in the Gateway boxes, another couple had a 46" plasma tv and five I counted them five equipment bags of stuff plus luggage. So I would say unless they single you out as a gringo you should be OK, if they do, start yelling about all the stuff the other passengers have.

Boatygringo

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slguy says on Sep 22, 2007, 20:14:

Poco - do you know that girl? or it's just an internet find? God almighty.....

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

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gold digger says on Sep 22, 2007, 21:53:

We need to see the rest of that video.... Pleeez!

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