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Cyber Monday sale in the US: Do check this before buying from international websites
Gadgets Now Bureau29 Nov, 2021, 09:04AM IST
Weight matters
Don't forget to calculate the weight of the products you order. As soon as a product crosses 5 pounds (2.27kg); the shipping rates in most cases almost doubles. Also, remember that you include the cost of the box and other packaging material in the shipping cost and not just that of the product. As you will have to pay the shipping cost on the entire package and not just the product.
Getting KYC done with government approved ID is a must
All courier agencies require you to get your KYC done to ship products. This means that buyer will have to share a government ID as address and identity proof for the products to be delivered.
Local taxes have to be paid
These purchases, even if gifts, are applicable to local taxes. You may have to furnish your PAN card on transactions above a certain amount.
Do the currency conversion, check the international rates here
Many websites now allow Indian shoppers to buy in rupees, but some may not do so. It is important to consider the impact of currency conversion on all products you purchase. Make sure you do this at international rates, and not the lowest. Also, purchase rates and selling rates of currency are different.
Check applicable customs duty online
Shoppers can check the applicable customs duty rates on Indian government's website:, https://www.cbic.gov.in/htdocs-cbec/customs/cst2021-300921/cst-idx
This lists taxes and duties on all across product categories.
What about warranty and after sales support
Warranty is an important factor when we buy an electronic item or gadget, and this is where online international shopping can be a real bummer. All products we purchase online come with warranty, but most of these are valid only in the country where we purchase. So only buy products and accessories where there are chances of no warranty issues.
Make sure you are not buying goods prohibited for shipping or customs clearance
Many courier and shipping companies have Lithium-ion battery-based products in their list of prohibited goods, similarly there are some items regulated in India and may require specific clarification from Indian customs.
Read the product description carefully
With stricter laws, online stores in most parts of the world including the US and UK have to disclose all details about the product. However, these long descriptions may many times be tricky. For example, a product that is categorised as "new" can have another tag "Open Box". These products are per se not used but they are not exactly brand new. They might have been used for demo purposes or returned the very next day by the customer and so are available at deal prices. Also make sure you read the full configuration of the gadget that you buy. For example, the same laptop may come with different specs, including processor, RAM and storage and this may affect the price in a big way.