How to pay GST for overseas purchases?


Gymrat76

Senior Member
May 10, 2004
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Hi everyone

If I purchase something in the US that costs > S$400 and have it shipped to Singapore via a service such as Borderlinx or VPost, will it definitely be charged 7% GST?

If so, how will I be notified to pay, will I have to go down somewhere to pay GST before I can collect, or will they send the goods to me (usually DHL) then notify me to make payment? Never bought anything so expensive before so was wondering what the procedure would be :D
 

Hi everyone

If I purchase something in the US that costs > S$400 and have it shipped to Singapore via a service such as Borderlinx or VPost, will it definitely be charged 7% GST?

If so, how will I be notified to pay, will I have to go down somewhere to pay GST before I can collect, or will they send the goods to me (usually DHL) then notify me to make payment? Never bought anything so expensive before so was wondering what the procedure would be :D

If they deliver to your doorstep, most likely they will show you the GST bill and you can pay them with a cheque. This is my experience with SingPOST.
 

If they deliver to your doorstep, most likely they will show you the GST bill and you can pay them with a cheque. This is my experience with SingPOST.

Ah? You mean DHL (or whichever courier company) will pay the GST first for the goods to be released, then when the courier guy gets here I pay him? Not that I mind, but just didn't think that they would do such a thing.. I hope they accept NETS or Cerdit Card :bsmilie:
 

Once the invoice prepared by the merchant stated the cost of goods and shipping is more than S$400, GST will be charged. For Vpost, you can pay online via the vpost site.

For Singpost/EMS, if the invoice is clearly pasted on the box hence the GST amount can be worked out, the postman at your doorstep can accept the GST in cash . Else you will have to go down to Singapore Post Center to pay for the GST by showing them the invoice or receipt that you have.

For Fedex and i guess DHL/UPS, again the courier can collected GST when they send the item to you. Usually they will give you a call to let you know the GST amount.
 

Hi everyone

If I purchase something in the US that costs > S$400 and have it shipped to Singapore via a service such as Borderlinx or VPost, will it definitely be charged 7% GST?

If so, how will I be notified to pay, will I have to go down somewhere to pay GST before I can collect, or will they send the goods to me (usually DHL) then notify me to make payment? Never bought anything so expensive before so was wondering what the procedure would be :D

Yes, shipment, inclusive of the shipping cost, will be charged with 7% GST as long as the total amount exceeds SGD400.

For Borderlinx, tax payment will have to be paid before the shipment leaves the hub. So it's certain that you pay nothing more than what you've paid for the shipment since the chargeable tax is included in.
 

Once the invoice prepared by the merchant stated the cost of goods and shipping is more than S$400, GST will be charged. For Vpost, you can pay online via the vpost site.

For Singpost/EMS, if the invoice is clearly pasted on the box hence the GST amount can be worked out, the postman at your doorstep can accept the GST in cash . Else you will have to go down to Singapore Post Center to pay for the GST by showing them the invoice or receipt that you have.

For Fedex and i guess DHL/UPS, again the courier can collected GST when they send the item to you. Usually they will give you a call to let you know the GST amount.

OK great, thanks guys!
 

Yes, shipment, inclusive of the shipping cost, will be charged with 7% GST as long as the total amount exceeds SGD400.

For Borderlinx, tax payment will have to be paid before the shipment leaves the hub. So it's certain that you pay nothing more than what you've paid for the shipment since the chargeable tax is included in.

?? Looking at the invoice from Borderlinx, there's a tax being charged, however, I thought that was the local US tax for the item, rather than the GST... you mean that 'tax' is the GST?
 

?? Looking at the invoice from Borderlinx, there's a tax being charged, however, I thought that was the local US tax for the item, rather than the GST... you mean that 'tax' is the GST?

In US, most of the local sales taxes are paid upfront prior to delivery of the goods unless I'm missing something in here.

If the value (including the local sales tax if any) of the item and the shipping cost exceeds SGD400, Borderlinx will include in the extra 7% GST into the final amount. Therefore whatever amount you see in there will be the final amount that you'll need to pay.

;)
 

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In US, most of the local sales taxes are paid upfront prior to delivery of the goods unless I'm missing something in here.

If the value (including the local sales tax if any) of the item and the shipping cost exceeds SGD400, Borderlinx will include in the extra 7% GST into the final amount. Therefore whatever amount you see in there will be the final amount that you'll need to pay.

;)

Haha! That's great.. was expecting to pay another 7% extra.. nice, its like receiving a small discount :bsmilie:
 

Haha! That's great.. was expecting to pay another 7% extra.. nice, its like receiving a small discount :bsmilie:

:bsmilie: Search for Borderlinx discount coupon for further discount. ;)
 

:bsmilie: Search for Borderlinx discount coupon for further discount. ;)

Wah.. now then you say! I was wondering how to obtain those coupons! LOL
 

Wah.. now then you say! I was wondering how to obtain those coupons! LOL

There's a site call RetailMeNot. ;)
 

sweet!
 


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