Blush. Poor guys at the Swedish customs office. Not surprisingly, a lot of Swedes are now bringing in iPads to Sweden since they haven’t yet been launched in our distant end of the globe. This causes trouble for the Swedish customs officials who don’t know how to classify the thing.
They have plenty of options, but here are the two extremes:
1. It’s a computer. And if it’s a computer there is 0% toll on the thing.
2. It’s a media player. Basically a big iPod Touch. If it’s a media player, there is 13.9% toll on it.
Considering that they do not know, which option do you think they chose? Not number 1 of course! Cause that would mean 0 cash stupid!
This is how Mats Renerius at the Swedish customs office explains why this is not a computer:
“…a computer has to be programmable. For the iPad, you can only download applications and not install any ordinary software. Neither can you attach a monitor, a printer or a keyboard”.
Hmm… Dear Mats, have you REALLY done your homework this time? Here is a VGA adapter for attaching a screen, and a couple of options for attaching keyboards.
And here’s an app for printing straight from the iPad.
Also, saying that the iPad isn’t programmable is an extremely strange statement. In fact, programs for the iPod/iPhone/iPad is a huge economy. There are thousands and thousands of apps for these platforms. How do you, Mats, think that these are made if they are not programmed? Just get at developers license and go Mats. I have one. It’s fun. You’ll like it.
IF I bring back an iPad from the states, and IF you try to make me pay by saying this is NOT a computer, I’ll give you a run for your money.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
It's interesting that it doesn't have to qualify as a media player. It's like the only qualifier for a “media player” is not being a computer, according to the inept managers at the Swedish customs.
I can imagine them sitting in the board room saying: “Let's not consult experts about this! It must be a media player since it has no floppy drive or runs Windows.”
Ha, ha, ha… I think they need to reconsider..