An expensive lesson is learned today, through yet another experience of getting a package from my mother-in-law.
When she offered to send the kids some clothes, I gladly said yes, especially after I tried to get them clothes here, and found nothing they liked. The kids and I were waiting for their clothes with excitement.
The package finally came today, not alone though. It was accompanied by a big tax bill of 706 RMB! That’s over US $100! Ouch!
I learned later from a friend of mine, also an expat but who has lived in Shanghai longer than us, therefore with more experience. From September 2010, a fee or tax started on all foreign packages with a value of a 100 yuan or so. But there is a way to get around this. Whenever her mom sends her a package, my smart friend always asks her mom to put a value of less than US $10! That way, she does not have to pay an arm and leg when he gets the package.
I was shocked beyond belief that I have to pay this much, especially after my mother-in-law has already paid an expensive UPS fee.
On the plus side, my kids look beautiful in their expensive clothes Grandma bought!
It was worth every penny to see those kids in their brand new clothes!
Yes, I agree. After the initial shock wore off, I realized good quality things come at a great price, too. Thanks!
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Thanks for getting the word out. I hope people learn from my experience and therefore avoid paying an arm and leg for their package from overseas.
Kaiwen and Kaiyi look so happy in their new tops from their loving grandma! The smiles are priceless and worth every cent!
Thank you, Jiawei, for updating me on the new rule on taxing gift packages exceeding RMB ￥100！
I learned it the hard way. And I hope nobody has to pay such a high tax bill for their gift package.