> I'm afraid *they* thought about it already. The local customs regulation > says that gifts are to be under EUR44 in their totality (sum of possible > separate items). Anything above that will bear import duty, 21% VAT + 5 > EUR (?) customs clearance costs (peperwork) (most couriers cover for > that). > > The thing is, for 2nd hand items, can you put your own price tag? I > preffer to go with something reasonable that won't insult any aduane > officer's intelligence. > Insurance is another point, I declare a value of $500 and insure it for > $1500? Jejeje (Homer's laugh)... I don't think they're *that* dumb. > > Any hands-on experience???
I have had to explain myself on several occasions while going back to Germany for chrismas or other vacation and taking $5k to $10k in Canon gear along with me. After the first time (when they let me "slip" through after a lengthy discussion, I started taking copies of the dated invoices for basically everything, including filters and such. (If it looks new to them, the traveler has to prove that it is not new, and part of the personal belongings.) I am certain that saved me more than once from having to pay import duty on used gear. At the same time, packages sent as gifts never had to go through any scrutiny. Now that the EU is more strict with imports and such, the German postal service started checking every item for possible import duties. I was told that for items sent surface, the ADRESSEE has to pay a flat fee (was it 17 EUR) plus any applicable import fees, before he can receive the package. A friend of mine had bought a (used!) $10 part for his Pontiac, and in order save cost, had it shipped surface. The big surprise came when he had to pay a fee on delivery, which basically doubled the cost for the item. Lars -- .~. Lars Michael /V\ [EMAIL PROTECTED] /(_)\ http://www.larsmichael.com/ ^^ ^^ * **** ******* *********************************************************** * For list instructions, including unsubscribe, see: * http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/eos_list.htm ***********************************************************
