So I was about to get Steam Hardware Enthusiast level 2 badge but then...

Probably they are talking about the shipping costs

And I was going to trade a foil card for a game and got 15 days without trading for no reason. GG Valve.

They have conditioned us to do anything for more badges and levels, knowing most people would never read the text. :P

Did you luanch a game with gamepad on Big picture?

No tax for PC parts in my country yeah baby

I can't even complete the lvl 1 badge, bcoz I haven't got a gamepad :/

Yay for free badges. 300 out of 50k+ odds , its very slim id see a steambox at my door.

You know they can't force you to pay for it, they'll probably even ask if you are sure before they send it.

A quick warning for people who wants to enter: Valve may want the hardware back after the test ends, thus if you are thinking "I will have to pay the import tax, but hey free PC!" you may want to reconsider.

Ummm, how do you participate in the beta?

People do realize that if the chosen few do have to pay something it's not because of Valve right? They don't have control over what different governments do. I've won prizes in other skill based contests (i.e. not just random draws) where the fine print said that the winners would be responsible for any taxes/customs/etc charges and haven't been charged yet. People living internationally are probably more likely to have to pay customs/excise fees. Personally I'd just drive up the road to Valve HQ to pick it up if I'm selected :D

Wait, level 2?

Really dude? I sincerely think you've payed more for all the game badges you have than you would pay in case you would get selected.

Stop worrying about this so much i'd say. Nobody will force you to pay anything. When you get selected, you will be contacted and terms & conditions will be presented to you. If you agree you can go ahead and participate, if you feel you are being charged too much or something you don't like, you can always say no .. why isn't this so simple ?

I'm fairly certain this is in relation to import export duties etc.

And it's entirely reasonable - in my country, any goods deemed coming in from our immediate borders has to incur 50% of the deemed VAT on that item. Can't expect Valve to know this so they cover themselves by saying I'd have to pay for it.

It's not like they are forcing you.

Sure, because You'll be the one who they will choose. Your chances are very tiny.

How much can they possibly charge you that it would not be a great deal?

Say the taxes and dues are $50 USD. A considerable amount, but probably more than fair. I would pay. You would be one of only 300 who has this hardware outside of Valve and the gaming press. All of a sudden, your opinions matter because you have a Steam Machine early.

Well, I'd pay it. Now if they want it back, I want those taxes back, because taxes implies you own it. But I trust they'll be fair either way.

i think its okay to pay some taxed to early access for steam machine, and they probably will not ask it back so you basically get steambox for almost free, so why not?

Thanks OBAMA!

Considering you don't actually own it and its neither a purchase nor a prize, I think most people could get away without paying any tax on it. I'm not sure about Import/Export tariffs, though. They seem to like to charge duties for everything that crosses the borders.

Are there any three people who would like to temporarily be my friends so I have ten of them to get this badge?

Also, I realize I'm currently begging people on the internet to be my friend, and this is probably the most pathetic thing I've ever done.

Should be standard for any legal fine print on contests in the USA. Mostly for cash prizes or those of high value. Taxes would be based on the retail value, and since these are prototypes, Valve could set that to any amount.
Would obviously be nice if they gave it a low value for winners, since they don't get any benefit from us paying more tax on it.

But whatever, in the end, it would so be worth the taxes to win.