Used laptop was taxed?

Question

I went to singapore for 2 months as tourist and when i went home i brought home my husband laptop which he gave me bec. he bought a new one.The laptop w/c he gave me ws bought year 2006.I hand carried the laptop and all its proof of purchase, receipts.... etc. When at the custom (DMIA) the man who checked the luggage asked me what ws inside that bag and i told him its an old laptop w/c ws used by my husb and he gave me. The man asked me the receipt and told me to pay tax. I told him i ddin't bought it during our stay in singapore.It ws just an old laptop from my husb. The man told me to pay tax even f it is alrdy used or even if i ddnt bought it. But i told him its nt taxable as i ddnt bought it and it ws used alrdy.But he insisted me to pay the tax. So I pay 2k instead of 5k+ accdng. to his computations.without receipts issued, coz if i ddnt pay they told me to leave the laptop, so iddnt hve no choice.

My husband is OFW. Is this used laptop still custom taxable?

Answer 1

All goods imported into or manufactured in Singapore are subjected to duties and taxes.  Any chance this laptop was manufactured there?  If you believe you were taxed inappropriately, you may put in a claim for a refund through the Singapore customs office.

Answer 2

Answer:

The computer shouldn't have been taxed by the authorities. Goods brought by a resident citizen returning from abroad is exempt from the value - added tax.

In addition, if it is in fact taxable under the Tariff and Custom Code of the Philippines, it should have been evidenced by an Official Receipt or similar instrument.

I'm not quite familiar with our Tariff and Custom Code. However, if the authorities are talking about the value - added tax, it should have been exempted from it.