Amazing. I joined this forum today when i was looking for alternative of other Indian rc forums because of their annoying policies and thorough commercial attitude. Cheerio to owners of this forum.

I would also like to point that i came across some posts on this site which are biased towards Indian LHS (promoting themselves). I am not against it but a buyer has all the rights to purchase from wherever he wants at the prices he likes. I purchase all of my items online from all over world not only from HongKong. But sometimes i have to buy locally too even on higher price because of urgency. I don't mind that and afaik most of the sellers(LHS) in India are in this business because at some point they got hooked on RC flying. After some time they realize they can purchase things cheaper in bulk from abroad and cut the cost of their own flying by making profit here in India. I see some very ridiculously priced items on various Indian sites/LHS and eBay India also. Even i used to purchase from eBay and other people when i started until i realized i can buy these things very cheap myself. Now i see many beginners making the same mistakes.

As the question of custom clearance and shipping arises, I have never had any problem with them neither will u if u r not importing things commercially. customs only tend to harass ppl with commercial interest cuz it has some monetary interest for them. If I am allowed I can put a whole thread on how to import all the RC items at lowest cost possible. Yes u will have to pay customs on some items which are priced above 10000 and also wait long time in some cases but in the end u & ur pocket will be happier.

Thx & Regds. 

A lot of people order online, and everyone is aware of that option.  There are good LHSes and bad LHSes, like anything else.  If you go through this forum, you will see that ordering online is one of the often discussed optics, including the issues (and possibilities) with customs, shipping etc.  You can feel free to post on this topic, please do some searches and  add material that is not already discussed though

In light of the environment that LHSes are operating in, people need to factor in a REASONABLE added cost factor (in terms of duties and taxes) that the LHSes have to deal with (which are not applicable a lot of times when individuals order items).  For most LHSes, there are not enough flyers to give them sustainable business. As one senior member here commented, "running an RC store full time can be considered realistically only when the number of hobbyists in our country becomes 100x".

hai crazypilot

everybody will not have the same experience as you
if you see the respective thread on this topic.many people have different experiences
but its not that customs harass you its their job that they are doing it.
  

That would be super helpful! Been going through a lot of posts but could not find proper tips on ordering online..


Anwar bhaiyya, since a lot of posts deal with ordering online, it would be really great if there was a mega thread on tips for ordering online instead of having to go through all the posts hoping to find the required information.. Like what is the max weight/size/price i can safely order online to avoid custom hassles, procedures if the order is held up at customs, if i'm ordering to say Goa which customs i'll have to deal with, restricted items e.t.c..

I am not against such a thread.  But I don't think there are really any rules on what works and what does not, it is as unpredictable as anything else !

But then some people seem to have methods that work for them.. For eg. heard somewhere that sticking to <750Gms parcels helps avoid custom hassles.. don't know how far this is true though.. It would be really helpful to a first timer like me if they could pitch in with their tips for ordering online..

Not sure about the 750gms, but small packages help.  So does not ordering radios and full ARF kits with everything in one box.  Those are the basic rules... a pretty short list ?

He he.. Yea.. Also if i order here to Goa, which customs will i have to deal with?

I've ordered servos from tower hobbies..It reached me in 15 days without any issues..

Keep it simple... i have never had any problem with the smaller packet. Unless you you order too many items (different items or many pieces of same items) in one shipping, customs would put some duty charge and let it go, except for items like Radio. I recently got even AXN Floater which was a Huge 3x1x1 feet Box. But yes, there was a simple 'Thermocol' plane which customs did not mind.

So just dont over do it by putting too many items or too much under declaration of invoice. Rest is all luck - as Anwar said, no rules! just follow best practice.

My other doubt was that if my parcel does get stuck in customs and i have to pay the duty (which i don't mind paying), will i have to go to Mumbai/Delhi/Wherever or can i deal with it right here from Goa itself? This has been the main factor preventing me from ordering online..

Ur parcel getting stuck in customs and paying duty are different things. It works like this assuming that you used country post like HK, India post, EMS ---->
1- Parcel reaches border point i.e ND, BOM, MAD, etc
2- If its speed post then sent to concerned FPO for quicker delivery & also if anything restricted/suspicious/under invoiced/ or for levying duty for bigger packets (more than 500/750 gms no fix rule for this). if its normal post ( i.e small envelope or box) its sent to home city directly
3- If ur parcel is detained by FPO customs thats another story.
4- other wise duty is levied as per invoice declaration.
5- duty is collected when they deliver the item. u can simply refuse to pay duty and not receive the parcel if u wish in certain cases.

If u use services like Fedex UPS DHL etc. then the parcel is collected by concerned company [they pay duty on ur behalf (its never detained cuz they wont take such items) and collect it when delivering]. fedex service is best used for importing radio or big items like Kits. although u have to pay a lot for shipping and duty but u get it at ur doorstep. no hassles. its my personal experience. use it on ur own discretion.
 

EMS/Speedpost has its own customs cell. FPO comes in for Air Post Parcels, registered or otherwise. From my experience  parcels can get stuck for ages at the FPO as there is no method of tracking, or even knowing if the material has arrived.

In both cases, the duty is collected at the time of delivery, by the postperson.

Customs is supposed to send you a notice if they impound your parcel due to missing/wrong invoice. You can either provide the missing detail by post, satisfying on which they would release the package to the Post Office for delivery along with the duty/cess.  This does not happen some times.
If your package is too much delayed after it reaches India, you can get to the regional FPO who would give you a BO number of your item if Customs have impound it and then you have to track that with the Customs folks. a Wait of 3-4 week max is safe after which you should seek with the customs else the package may get destroyed/lost/whatever.

Thanks a LOT guys   The last few posts cleared more doubts than reading posts for the last month did!  

Ok, here is the shipping table for HC..


Now from what i understand, the "International Airmail" shipments are the ones which will go through the FPO.. While the ones in the first group i.e. "EMS" and "Air parcel" will have their own customs cell? Am i right?

A few more doubts..


Oh.. In that case when do they get stuck in customs? What is the procedure then? Which FPO will i have to deal with?


So in this case which shipping method should i select for say smaller components (ESC/motors/props/batt etc), and which method for bigger things (charger/radio/arfs etc)?

What about invoicing and marking as "gift"?


If i refuse to collect my parcel, does my money get refunded?


If my 'Registered Air mail' parcels do not arrive, do i get a refund/new parcel? Is there a similar service on Paypal?

Can anybody help me with the above doubts?

I dont know much but i know if u use speed post it will definitely go to FPO and detention chances are very high.


If detained FPO will send u notice for it. All info will be provide by concerned FPO.


select normal mail or registered for small amount/small items even charger. some times they do get lost so its a risk. u will learn to accept this in time. and always get bigger things from Ebay not ebay India(even if u get it cheap somewhere else) if its more than 200$ cuz if u dont get ur item ur money is safe. about invoicing and gift check ur PM.


For whatever reason, if u dont receive ur item Ebay will refund u. dont know about other sites.


Yes u will get a refund or replacement after 45 days for registered post from hobbyking.

Hope this helps you. Good Luck.

Thanks a lot! That sure does help.. How do i find out which FPO i'll have to deal with? Couldnt find any info on the net..

U will receive a notice with FPO Address and contact Info. They will be able to tell u reason for detaining parcel and the necessary action on your side. Most likely urs will be Panaji Head Post Office, Goa - 403001

Awesome! I always thought i would have to go to Bombay.. If its in Panjim then i'm ordering tomo itself

I have been to the EMS "office" and KNOW that they have their own valuation cell. FPO comes in for ALL post parcels, be it air or sea, registered or not.

There is, therefore, no reason for FPO being involved with EMS clearance.

I dont know about EMS. As my items are shipped mostly thro USPS so they go to FPO New Delhi.

How do i find out if my FPO will be Panaji-Goa itself? Because if it is, then i have no problems ordering anything i want.. Goa is such a small place that i'm bound to know someone or the other who works there.. That'll speed things up!

Why not ask someone u know from post office itself. Or u can place a dummy order not more than 10$ to get the idea how things work there?

Once again. EMS/SPEEDPOST consignments will clear at Mumbai. As far as I know, post parcels will also clear at the FPO, Mumbai. I doubt whether Goa has an FPO but you could find out. If clearance is in Mumbai, then (in either case) the consignment would be forwarded to your local PO for delivery and collection of custom duty (if any) + local delivery charges.