I thought this place was the best one to post this. Correct me if I'm wrong. :)
I'm considering to import some software, but have no idea if that's a good idea or not. Normaly software costs half the price in the US compared to Norway, kinda speaks for it self. IMPORT! However... Then there is shipping, taxes, warranty etc... Some says that importing doesn't give profit. That the shipping costs and taxes are so high that you might as well could have bought it here, turning out to be more expencive in the end.

Have any one here any ideas? Anyone done this or got some experience? Tips hints, anything is apreciated. :)

Another thing I've thought of is i.e. to lets say, transfer the money to one of you guys and make you ship it to me cutting some costs like the taxes etc. If that's possible.

I was going to say send the money over to someone.
But as far as taxes go whoever buys it here will have to pay taxes.
Percentage depends on the state itself, not sure about Canada.

One thing you could do is split the cost with someone here and have them rip the CD and upload it for you to get then you make yourself a CD.
This of course would exclude Photoshop CS.

OK... you shouldn't be charged taxes out of the States as they only apply to people who live in the states but you may have to pay duty once it gets to you, check with your customs.
What if any you pay in duty really depends on what is put on the customs declaration form. It will also depend on how much it costs and what country the software was created in and what country it's shipping from.

In my experience international shipping costs really vary from very cheap to very expensive depending on retailer. I order stuff out of the states all the time and sometimes the shipping can be $30us just to ship ground to Canada, other times it's under $10 US. Probably if you shop around and find a good supplier then you can get the software for cheaper. How much cheaper really depends.

Be wary of really good deals.

Nemesis: Splitting the costs and ripping a cd is not an option. That would be no good when it comes to licensing.

freakyclean: Yeah I'm aware of the duty, but I have to pay taxes as well. Stupid thing. When you import something to Norway a 24% tax is added. I've ordered a few books wich hasn't been taxed nor no duty to my suprise tho. Perhaps it depends on who sends it. I've already talked to the custom here and they couldn't give me a straight answer.

I guess I would just have decide to try or not...

Thanks both of you. :)

Any other point of views?

If somebody bought it for you and shipped it to you as a gift then you wouldn't have to pay taxes or duty.

If somebody bought it for you and shipped it to you as a gift then you wouldn't have to pay taxes or duty.
Thanks. I'll keep that in mind. :)

this isnt quite the same issue, but i was thinking: can the license you buy be transfered ?

for example lets say i buy PS-CS and don't like it but instead of returning the product i choose to sell it to a friend for a lower price. Can i also transfer the license to him ?

this being possible, JC could try finding someone willing to sell a second hand software package to cut down on his expenses.