A relative of mine who lives in the States is coming to Egypt soon for a visit and there is an mp3 player I wanted to order from Hong Kong and have it sent to him so he can bring it with him... since if I have it shipped to myself I'd end up paying twice it's price in customs...

So, my question is if someone orders something like an mp3 player from Hong Kong and has it shipped to the States, would he end up paying a lot of customs on it?

Thanks in advance
Hisham

I have yet to pay any customs charges for stuff sent to me.

I know you don't pay customs for models and such things, but I was wondering about electronics and stuff like that.

Thanks for your reply
Hisha,

Nope... I've ordered all kinds of stuff from overseas... Electronic accy's and other stuff, and haven't paid a Customs fee yet.

Once in a great while, something ordered from overseas will be opened by customs, but that is a spot check to see if contraband is being imported. As far as I know, we do not pay customs for items we order and get sent to us in the mail.

Thanks for the replies, guys.

You don't know how lucky you are, by the way. We here in Egypt have to pay customs for anything shipped to us.. and sometimes customs charges reach 200%. And what makes it worse is that it's totally up to the customs officer to estimate the value of the item and the customs incurred

Cheers
Hisham

One of the benefits in living in a free society with a free economy.

Yep... so true!

Ever since the Camp David treaty they keep telling us that we now live in a free society with a free economy with only some minor government regulations (For the old National Security excuse). But the problem is that the majority of the people still have the old socialist way of thinking imprinted in their brains... and it shows in their job performance.. even in the private sector!

Maybe after a couple of generations my grandchildren will have a better life.... Maybe!

Cheers
Hisham

Sounds like the ultimate in free society...I'll make you an offer you can't refuse to get your stuff.

Heh..heh.. good one.... except here you end up with a camel's head in your bed

Hisham

Well Sabot did you try to import French cheese to the US ???

I'm lactose intolerant, so no, I have not. Besides, this is the US, we can get just about anything or something close enough. If I can't get* it here, I probably don't need it.

*Notice I said "get" not necessarily "made" here.