Taxation Deptt's action re shipments into your state ? (It could affect you)
Hi all, even though this is my first post, I'm not new to the forum. I've been lurking for quite a long time. My post does not specifically concern computers and technology, but also has an indirect connection with those too. Please bear with me while I give some background before I ask my question :
I am from Mizoram, one of the most isolated states in India. It has two main entry points - the single airport and a highway via Assam. Ever since my state started levying VAT a couple of years ago, the Taxation Deptt has created all kinds of complications regarding anything being brought into the state. They require a Way Bill even for the smallest shipment, including low-cost second-hand items bought through eBay. They have set up check gates at the two entry points and check everything including personal baggage as if they were at an international border. If a courier package does not have a Way Bill, they confiscate it.
I believe West Bengal has also imposed similar restrictions. I've seen at least one regular seller on eBay who warned anyone from West Bengal not to buy his items due to problems in sending them to WB. I am old enough to remember a time when the corrupt customs people at Kolkata (then Calcutta) airport made a habit of harrassing passengers so much that international airlines banded together and stopped all flights into Calcutta.
My question to forum members in other states is: What is the situation regarding shipments sent to your state ?
Added on 18 May '08 for further clarification :
If you think this does not concern you, here's how it could affect you. Suppose you want to order a piece of hardware from somewhere else and have it shipped to you by courier. If your state starts implementing stiff regulations like my state has done, you're screwed unless you want to go through all this hassle :
1. You contact the source and get all details.
2. You apply for a Way Bill at your Taxation office, entering those details in your application.
3. You wait for your application to be processed and the Way Bill issued to you.
4. You send the Way Bill to the company or the seller.
5. The seller fills in the Way Bill form with details such as value, mode of shipment, consignment number, etc., and sends the Way Bill back to you along with their bill and proof of despatch. He also despatches the item separately.
6. After you receive the filled up Way Bill, you present it to the Taxation check gate. Tough luck if it's in another town or city.
7. The Tax people on duty at the check point checks the package details against your Way Bill. Then, and only then, they allow it to go through.
If the shipment reaches the check gate before you receive the Way Bill and you have time to send it again to the check gate, they confiscate the item and this further complicates things.
You have to go through all this hassle and delay whether you're ordering something from a large well-known company or a minor second-hand item from eBay or from a member in Digit forum Bazaar.
I want to start a campaign in my state against this ancient, inefficient and unreasonable practice. But, before I start, I would very much like to know how things are done in other states. Please respond with information I can use.
Hi all, even though this is my first post, I'm not new to the forum. I've been lurking for quite a long time. My post does not specifically concern computers and technology, but also has an indirect connection with those too. Please bear with me while I give some background before I ask my question :
I am from Mizoram, one of the most isolated states in India. It has two main entry points - the single airport and a highway via Assam. Ever since my state started levying VAT a couple of years ago, the Taxation Deptt has created all kinds of complications regarding anything being brought into the state. They require a Way Bill even for the smallest shipment, including low-cost second-hand items bought through eBay. They have set up check gates at the two entry points and check everything including personal baggage as if they were at an international border. If a courier package does not have a Way Bill, they confiscate it.
I believe West Bengal has also imposed similar restrictions. I've seen at least one regular seller on eBay who warned anyone from West Bengal not to buy his items due to problems in sending them to WB. I am old enough to remember a time when the corrupt customs people at Kolkata (then Calcutta) airport made a habit of harrassing passengers so much that international airlines banded together and stopped all flights into Calcutta.
My question to forum members in other states is: What is the situation regarding shipments sent to your state ?
Added on 18 May '08 for further clarification :
If you think this does not concern you, here's how it could affect you. Suppose you want to order a piece of hardware from somewhere else and have it shipped to you by courier. If your state starts implementing stiff regulations like my state has done, you're screwed unless you want to go through all this hassle :
1. You contact the source and get all details.
2. You apply for a Way Bill at your Taxation office, entering those details in your application.
3. You wait for your application to be processed and the Way Bill issued to you.
4. You send the Way Bill to the company or the seller.
5. The seller fills in the Way Bill form with details such as value, mode of shipment, consignment number, etc., and sends the Way Bill back to you along with their bill and proof of despatch. He also despatches the item separately.
6. After you receive the filled up Way Bill, you present it to the Taxation check gate. Tough luck if it's in another town or city.
7. The Tax people on duty at the check point checks the package details against your Way Bill. Then, and only then, they allow it to go through.
If the shipment reaches the check gate before you receive the Way Bill and you have time to send it again to the check gate, they confiscate the item and this further complicates things.
You have to go through all this hassle and delay whether you're ordering something from a large well-known company or a minor second-hand item from eBay or from a member in Digit forum Bazaar.
I want to start a campaign in my state against this ancient, inefficient and unreasonable practice. But, before I start, I would very much like to know how things are done in other states. Please respond with information I can use.
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