[whb07]

Typically taxes. As the good is "officially" imported by some company, tariffs are applied at the port.

So in such countries, the "official" big store price is $price + $tariff + $profit-margin. Or you do what most people in such a place do is either travel abroad and or get a friend etc to bring you one.

The gov gets wise to this and so they then begin saying things like "travelers can only have 1 used phone and 1 new phone on them".

Happened to me once when traveling abroad. I had taken like 2 xboxs to sell for marginal profit, when they opened my bags and confiscated one of them. Had to pay say $100, which for a $200-300 item is a STEEP tariff.

If i didn't pay it, i'd essentially relinquish the item altogether. Sweet life.