| hi lucy,
i just sent an e-mail to you.
if you would like to buy off-shore, please note that philippine customs can be disappointing especially when they tax for small private parcels.
the last time i bought some stuffs from thailand, the taxes were almost as high as the purchase. fyi, under the philippine tariff and customs code, precious and semi-precious gems are supposed to have a 3% duty and 0% if imported from ASEAN countries. this is not the tax rate that i received.
in case of pearls, the duty is 10% and 3% if imported from ASEAN countries.
if you know someone who is a member of the guild of philippine jewellers, inc., then he/she may be able to help you with the 0% duty (under republic act no. 8502).
better yet, if you have family or friends outside the country who is willing to purchase the gems for you and visiting you soon, this is the best way to get the stuffs.
it is ironic that due to high fraudulent credit cards in the philippines, only few companies accept credit cards if purchasing from the philippines but they will be able to accept remittance.
good luck!  |