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By JayDX81 in Vietnam

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JayDX81 Apprentice

JayDX81   0

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Hello, my name is Jayden I'm traveling to Vietnam in 4 weeks to be with my fiance for her interview. This is my first time traveling alone, and I was wondering a few stuff about carry-on and luggage. Below are two question I kind of curious about.

  • I bought 4 IPad and a few IPhone as a gift and I was wondering if I go back will they give me hard time or will there be a tax charge from the Vietnamese airport when I arrive in Vietnam. If so does any one know how much?
  • Can I bring a console system Playstation 3 in my carry-on bag? If yes will there be a tax charge for it too when I arrive in Vietnam?
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Jojo92122 Experienced

Jojo92122   1,924

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You will get a hard time about the iPads, iPhones, and Playstation. The Vietnam Government is sick and tire of people avoiding taxes by bringing in iPads and iPhones to resell. There is no proof that you can provide that they are gifts since any of these items can be sold by you quickly. They want their taxes. The Custom Police just wants a bribe. Pay the bribe and be done when you get there. They will tell you to place a gift in the desk drawer. They will not touch the money only after you leave. I paid $20 for 5 iPhones.

Edited by Jojo92122
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JayDX81 Apprentice

JayDX81   0

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You will get a hard time about the iPads, iPhones, and Playstation. The Vietnam Government is sick and tire of people avoiding taxes by bringing in iPads and iPhones to resell. There is no proof that you can provide that they are gifts since any of these items can be sold by you quickly. They want their taxes. The Custom Police just wants a bribe. Pay the bribe and be done when you get there. They will tell you to place a gift in the desk drawer. They will not touch the money only after you leave. I paid $20 for 5 iPhones.

so just pay them the bribe when I go through the custom police?

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TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   43,020

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Thread is moved from the Off Topic forum to the Vietnam regional forum.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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JayDX81 Apprentice

JayDX81   0

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I just found this out and number 5 below make me worry. What do you think?

http://customs.gov.vn/Lists/EnglishSupports/Details.aspx?ID=1931&language=en-US


I also heard one of my family say it better to just give those custom officer some money and they let you go. With how many thing I'm bringing back should a $20 bill be enough?

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cyclone27 Proficient

cyclone27   710

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1-2 ok but asking for trouble if you are trying to bring that much in.

ROC Timeline

Service Center: Vermont

90 Day Window Opened....08/08/17

I-751 Packet Sent..............08/14/17

NO1 Dated.........................

NO1 Received....................

Check Cashed....................

Biometrics Received..........

Biometrics Appointment.....

Approved...........................

 

IR-1/CR-1 Visa

I-130 NOA1: 22 Dec 2014
I-130 NOA2: 25 Jan 2015
NVC Received: 06 Feb 2015
Pay AOS Bill: 07 Mar 2015
Pay IV Bill : 20 Mar 2015
Send IV/AOS Package: 23 Mar 2015
Submit DS-261: 26 Mar 2015
Case Completed at NVC: 24 Apr 2015
Interview Date: 22 Sep 2015
Visa Approved: 22 Sep 2015
Visa Received: 03 Oct 2015 

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Jojo92122 Experienced

Jojo92122   1,924

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I'm bringing 4 IPad Mini 2, 1 IPhone 6s Plus, 1 IPhone 6s, 1 IPhone 5s, 4 IPhone 5c, 1 IPhone 3, 3 IPhone 4s, 1 Playstation 3. Will this be a problem? Can I bribe the custom police? Do you think they will give me a hard time because I'm Viet Kieu?

Yes, it will be a problem. Vietnamese laws allows you to bring in 5,000,000 (about $200 USD) of gifts. Your electronic gifts exceeds this amount. By bringing all the listed items with you, you would be violating Vietnamese laws. (Most Viet Kieu violate this law since they tend to bring in lots of gifts for family.)

You can bribe the custom police. You do so at your own risk. I paid $20 for 5 iPhones. I've traveled to Vietnam extensively and know my way around with silent signals. If you get caught for making a bribe, you will end up in serious trouble.

They don't care that you are Viet Kieu. They care that you are violating Vietnamese tax laws and certain officers who want a bribe.

Personally, you need to leave at least 2/3 of your items behind. That is way too much stuff for custom to look the other way. Your items exceeds $2,000 in value.

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Jojo92122 Experienced

Jojo92122   1,924

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what kind of trouble this is not for sale it a gift

Gifts are limited to $200 in value with electronics according to the law.

How can you prove that you will not resell the items when you enter Vietnam? Your words is not good enough. You can not prove this. Furthermore, it does not matter if you sell or gift these items.

A single iPhone 5s is about $200. You are trying to bring too much to Vietnam.

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JayDX81 Apprentice

JayDX81   0

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Gifts are limited to $200 in value with electronics according to the law.

How can you prove that you will not resell the items when you enter Vietnam? Your words is not good enough. You can not prove this. Furthermore, it does not matter if you sell or gift these items.

A single iPhone 5s is about $200. You are trying to bring too much to Vietnam.

Oh man hmm I hope I can bribe them. I know some people who say to bribe them but in certain way, so like you say there is a way to do so just depend on how. I guess since I bring more then you I should bribe more, plus I don't want to leave some behind. I guess I will test my luck, since Vietnam all way like bribing.

Gifts are limited to $200 in value with electronics according to the law.

How can you prove that you will not resell the items when you enter Vietnam? Your words is not good enough. You can not prove this. Furthermore, it does not matter if you sell or gift these items.

A single iPhone 5s is about $200. You are trying to bring too much to Vietnam.

If they don't take the bribe what will they do to me?

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Jojo92122 Experienced

Jojo92122   1,924

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If they want to make a big deal out of it, they will confiscate all your items and make you pay a huge fine.

I know several people who have had this problem. Lately, it has been about bringing in meats. Viet Nam has a food safety issue and Viet Kieu and returning Vietnamese nationals have had very pricey cuts of meats confiscated. Bribes are not working because someone at the top wants a crackdown.

This is the risk that you would be taking.

I am not going to tell you that nothing will happen to you or that something will. This is a risk that you need to consider.

Edited by Jojo92122
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JayDX81 Apprentice

JayDX81   0

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If they want to make a big deal out of it, they will confiscate all your items and make you pay a huge fine.

I know several people who have had this problem. Lately, it has been about bringing in meats. Viet Nam has a food safety issue and Viet Kieu and returning Vietnamese nationals have had very pricey cuts of meats confiscated. Bribes are not working because someone at the top wants a crackdown.

This is the risk that you would be taking.

I am not going to tell you that nothing will happen to you or that something will. This is a risk that you need to consider.

True and thank Jojo, I'm having my fiance ask around to see what I should do. If I have to I will leave at least 2 behind or 3, will see

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