Imported Books to Philippines now Tax-free!

Hi readers!

Good news! You can get the book you want to read without expending extra money out of your pocket. I know, when ordering online from other countries like in the U.S., U.K., Japan, etc. can cost you the actual price of the book, shipping charges, and a pain-to-accept overcharges from "some" Philippine Custom officer. I just confirmed the news and i am so late to find this out. Imported books are now tax-free! According to Department of Finance (DOF) and in relevance to UNESCO Florence Agreement, which was signed by a Philippine President back August 2, 1952, the guidelines states (quoted below):

"All imported books, whether for commercial or personal use, with the exception of those published by or for a private commercial enterprise essentially for advertising purposes as stated in Annex A of the Florence Agreement, are exempt from customs duties. Importation of books is likewise exempt from value-added tax (VAT) pursuant to Section 109 (R) of the National Internal Revenue Code."

The second time I went to Post Office this month to get my Communist Manifesto book from Amazon.co.uk, the officer there didn't checked the contents of my package unlike before, I just wonder they didn't assess for additional duties to it anymore. I just paid 40.00 pesos for the postage and some signing for clearance and then you'll get the package. Later on, I learned that imported books to Philippines are now tax-free.

The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels (Hardcover | Arcturus Publishing)

If your Custom Officer harasses you, then try slap a copy of the said order to their face :D Please find the PDF file here: http://www.gov.ph/downloads/2011/12dec/20111212-DOF-DO-57-2011-BSA.pdf (the file source is from http://www.cfo.gov.ph/)

Traditionally, I buy book on our local bookstore esp. National Bookstore. Now, I can say, this would be the great time to start the new way to buy books online.

For your reference, you can buy books online through the following:

Barnes&Noble

 

More opportunity for me to review books online in Literateknolohitura!

Given that I can get books online and the post office in my region is only one-trike ride from our home then book reviews will be abundant in coming months.

Reference Source:

• http://ph.news.yahoo.com/imported-books-now-declared-tax-free-ph-073014768.html
• http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/01/03/12/all-imported-books-are-tax-free-dof
• http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1581:dof-declares-all-imported-books-tax-free&catid=109:overseas-filipino-new&Itemid=840

Peek to the Upcoming Literateknolohitura's Book Review(s)

I just received "Art of War by Sun Tzu" I ordered from Amazon.co.uk. I feel relieved as I worried about my order in the last few weeks. I'm still waiting for the remaining 4 packages; books relevant to my previous post. Hope I received it soon.

The Art of War by Sun Tzu | Arcturus Publishin Ltd. | Package Received from Amazon.co.uk 01/13/12

On the other bibliophile mania, I learned that National Bookstore Philippines is selling the Pulitzer Prize winner, Maus by Art Spiegelman. I went to their store and successfully bought one of Spiegelman's book MetaMaus. MetaMaus is actually a new release and it includes the complete Maus comics in an electronic form which is inside the DVD included in it. But I still looking forward to the actual Maus comics. And unfortunately, Nat'l Bookstore has no longer the stock and offered me a Special Order form.

MetaMaus by Art Spiegelman | Bought at National Bookstore Philippines

MetaMaus by Art Spiegelman | DVD included; contains complete Maus Comics in electronic form

MetaMaus by Art Spiegelman | Glimpse Inside

Wish me more books to share. See you on my next post ^_^

It's Year 2012!

Common question of people ask: What's your new year's resolution? That was the common question every year-end but now, it's different. Usually, you may hear them "Could it be end of the world this year 2012?", "Will there be Earth rupture?", and any frantic questions relevant to "2012" film. But of course, I am not that easily be influenced. Come on, thinking about Earth's destruction will make you absorb negative vibes. Ever read "The Secret"?

Last year was my year, which is year of the rabbit and somehow close to technological luck. Now I will not expect much luck but of course as for my new year's resolution, typically as everyone does every new year, we and i need change.

New Sites for Year 2012:

For this year, I'm planning to open a number of blog(s) and . . . or a special website(s). Something that tackles about:

Human Transformation - Why this? If you haven't known yet, I started to go to gym to lose my belly, that's just last month, December 2011. And it just that this idea of Human Transformation came to my mind. I feel the amazement about how human can change his or her shape just by doing a workout at Gym. How human can also change his ideology after reading books.

Google Android - Why this? It's been several months back since I bought an Android device, a Samsung Galaxy Tab GT-P1000. The first tablet released by Samsung. I've been loving my tab a lot as it got stuffed with exciting games and other applications downloaded online.

Gunpla / Japanese Culture - Why this? I've been collecting Gunpla, with real pledge, since 2006. Particularly, targeting the Master Grade line of Bandai. And along with my frantic collection, I became interested to Japanese culture. I feel that I need to learn Japanese.

Personal Website - I've been planning to start a personal website wherein it will be dedicated to me. It will serve as a portfolio of my webby ideas.

New Book Reviews You're Going to Expect in the Following Months for Year 2012:

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And lastly, I'm going to do some revamp to my Literateknolohitura blog.

Happy New Year Everyone! I wish nothing bad happen throughout the year. See you on my next post!