Oh What Fun it is Shipping to China!!

More shipping to China drama today.... Just when I think we finally have everything needed to submit the shipment to Chinese customs we hit another hiccup. This hiccup is the VAT (Value Added Tax) amount.

When VAT was initially calculated it was calculated by checking the invoice for the value of the hardware goods that were actually being shipped to China. The value of the goods are pulled from the invoice\packing slip that must accompany the shipment. It just so happens that included on the packing slip was software license and services (implementation charges). Just as we were being told the shipment was being submitted to customs I asked a clarifying question - "We will only be charged VAT on the hardware that's being shipped, correct?" - low and behold the answer from the importer is "No, everything on the invoice\packing slip will be utilized for the VAT calculation."

VAT for hardware only would be about $10k and VAT for everything would be ~$25k.

Question: Geee what is the best thing to do?
Answer: Delay shipping once again and await an updated (more accurate) invoice\packing slip from the vendor who shipped the equipment.