So who wants Apple stuff from the US?

[hanzo]

Technically Amazon won't ship here, and eBay is at the sellers discretion.

If you travel to the US frequently, have someone stateside who can mail you things, or just feel comfortable with Aramex, you can save money compared to the local rates.

[ultrablue662]

Prices here are inflated anywhere from 10 to THRITY percent (The markup on my iMac was 25%) so that is the main reason I've never and will never buy here.

Aramex are the MAN! They get everything of mine here in one piece, safe and sound.

Im a bit reluctant now after having an image of my sister's bags beiang searched and having everyone's apple stuff confiscated. :-(

I dont see why that would happen though.

[SandyBear]

UAE customs fee (again, not a tax) is 5 (five) percent. To that there will be a "typing fee" of 30 AED.
This should be applied on the sales price, before local tax, to all brand new items imported for consumption in the country.
Make sure you can produce an official receipt.

I do not see any reason for customs to confiscate anything, unless illegal, like my friend's poker table (confiscated), or fresh chicken (customs said they protected the country from bird flu!!!), etc...

[fangpyre]

Was the chicken sick?
I can't stop myself from asking, but why would you bring chicken?

[hanzo]

I just find it interesting that the Poker table was confiscated. I realize the Islamic stance on gambling, but it never even occurred that a poker table would be contraband. I learn something new every day.

[ultrablue662]

hat 5% customs fee is applied almost on random. and on a random number.

My 700 dollar guitar was taxed as an item costing only 277 USD. While my custom built iMac that cost me 1700 dollars was NOT charged a fee.

I have had other randomness from Dubai Customs.

As for the illegal items... lol. I have had a few items come thru that are FAR worse than a poker table. Again, depends on your luck with the inspectors.

[SandyBear]

Ok, chicken....
When I first arrived to Dubai, I personally found the local chicken excellent. However, when talking to people in the chicken business from Europe, being in UAE doing audits at numerous chicken farms here, they stated that it was the worst they ever seen. Everything from feed, number of chicks per sqft, number of dead birds, temperature, use of antibiotics, etc, they were appalled. The only thing that was NOT mentioned as bad was growth hormone, not sure why...
I still think the chicken here is ok, however my colleague does not. He used to always bring fresh chicken meat from abroad, where ever that was, Europe, US, Australia...
It seems the halt to that came a little over a year ago, arguing national safety and bird flu. Still, no limits on other meat, beef, lamb, fish etc, (I think...)
Actually, compared to ie the Australian Border Inspection (an*l), UAE is rather lax. Also, it seems that most peoples' goods get through, hardly ever being charged what customs could/should. My new (in August) iMac was custom fee'd in full (5%+30aed), mostly due to the shiny big box it came in was not covered up... Recently my coffee machine was not custom'ed, mainly due to the fact is was covered up in black plastic waste bags. Still, Xray machines are scanning close to 100% of all bags, boxes and suitcases, so good luck...
Poker table...
can be bought at some local interior stores, seems like wasta and randomness plays a major roll...

[Magnus]

Wow, I didn't think I'd see the day when we'd seriously discuss chicken on EmiratesMac.com

[yoganadaz]

I live in the US and have been thinking about a small business startup. Importing Mac's to UAE could be a good business I'm figuring. What do you think?

What do think would be a far percentage of money to charge a person to send over Apple products to UAE?

I would want to be cheaper than the big guys but still make a worthwile amount of for myself.

Any other suggestions?

Technically Amazon won't ship here, and eBay is at the sellers discretion.

If you travel to the US frequently, have someone stateside who can mail you things, or just feel comfortable with Aramex, you can save money compared to the local rates.

[fangpyre]

Well there are already a few grey market stores here.
They are generally cheaper than the local market stuff.
But the big savings is in the more expensive stuff.