India is a Democratic Country, we think we are FREE to do anything ourself(Attempt to committ suicide is a Crime in India) other than harming others.
Our Government shows in other countries people are not so free as India, but in reality it is not so.
I am comparing Saudi Arabia with India, Saudi has monarchy and we think there are so many restrictions.
but you see yourself what Saudis can Order / buy / Import from other countries in Post(Mail) and what we Indians can do. Not only there is higher taxes on every item but restrictions too.
Saudi Arabia
Prohibitions (130)
Arms, munitions, and war material.
Books and prints contrary to the Islamic faith.
Coins, banknotes; currency notes (paper money); securities of any kind payable to bearer; traveler’s checks; platinum, gold, and silver (manufactured or not); precious stones; jewelry; and other valuable articles.
Perishable infectious biological substances.
Radioactive materials.
Restrictions
Medicines, pharmaceutical, and plant-based products and foodstuffs for medical purposes are not admissible unless accompanied by prior authorization from the General Food and Medicine Authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. First-Class Mail International, First-Class Package International Service, postal parcels, registered items, and Express Mail International shipments are all subject to that documentation requirement.
Recorded tapes (cassettes) are not admitted in Registered Mail. Such items are admitted only in ordinary mail.
Observations
First-Class Mail International and First-Class Package International Service items may not contain dutiable articles.
India
Prohibitions (130)
Appliances (including pistols, pistol pencils, etc.) for discharging gas, except on behalf of the Government.
Arms and military equipment, except for the Indian Government.
Articles of gold or silver.
Coins; banknotes; currency notes; traveler’s checks; securities payable to bearer; precious stones; jewelry; and other valuable articles.
Coins or ingots exceeding 65 rupees in value, except coins obviously intended for ornament.
Consumer electronic items, (except hearing aids and life-saving equipment, apparatus, and appliances and parts thereof). Shipments containing these goods up to the value of 200 Indian rupees (gift value) are at present released after the words “Released on caution” have been stamped on the item.
Pistol-shaped articles such as toy guns.
Radioactive materials.
Restrictions
Addressees in India are required to obtain import licenses for all goods except those intended for their personal use and not exceeding 100 rupees in value. If the license is not obtained when required, the articles are considered as prohibited.
Commercial shipments of tobacco, manufactured or not may only be sent to licensed importers or wholesalers.
Indian banknotes, require permission of the Reserve Bank of India.
Perishable articles or edible substances are admitted only by airmail.
Piece goods and certain manufactured articles must be marked to show country of origin as prescribed by the Indian trademark regulations.
Works of art (including photographs); forms ruled or printed; account and manuscript books; labels; advertising matter (except trade catalogs and circulars); almanacs in sheets or in cards; and other cards, as well as waste paper and old newspaper for packing, are considered to be merchandise, and may be liable to customs duty.
Observations
In India, a very small number of articles is admitted free of customs duty and the tariffs of these duties vary considerably. The general rate of import duty is 30 percent but many articles are liable to a higher rate.
Import duty is chargeable even if the articles are received as free gifts. The fact that goods are old or second-hand or gifts or articles intended for personal use does not entitle them per se to exemption from import duty. However, the collection of duty is waived in cases where the total duty on a shipment does not exceed 3 rupees. Books and magazines are generally exempt from import duty.
Shipments can be more speedily released if their contents and value are clearly and correctly declared by the sender.
Insured Priority Mail International parcels addressed to the post office boxes of Draw, Kargil and Leh in the State of Kashmir are not accepted from November 1 to May 31.
