Shipping from US to Germany

[QualityMechKeyboards]

Could someone explain if there are any special circumstances surrounding shipping to Germany from US? There is a $13.95 flat rate priority mail international box at the post office, will they charge inport duties/taxes or anything extra with this?

[peda]

There is a good chance that the package will be stopped by customs (especially when the package comes from the USA) and you'll have to pay import tax (18% iirc). This is not included in that shipment price but European custom services became very good in handling things quick and easy.


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[ischeriad]

If the combined value of item and shipping is 22€ or less for commercial items or 45€ for gifts, there are no additional charges. Above that, the recipient has to pay 19% tax (computers etc. have no special tariff rate afaik).

[Clickey]

Ah so it is best to value it low, say 10 euros and they will charge little to no taxes? Is there any drawback to this?

[QualityMechKeyboards]

So it is best to value the item low, say 5-10 euro, and they will charge little to no duties? Is there any drawback to this?

[ischeriad]

It may be that the recipient has to give proof of the value, showing a receipt or something. Another thing I can think of is that the insurance by the postal service may be dependent on the given value.

[Azrael]

Im from Germany and have received packages from the US in the past.

Put the value on the paper lower than 22 eur as Ischeraid said. But not too low. It you only state 5Eur it might look equally suspect. I would recommend reasonable steps which they also can be found in stores. I.e. 14,99USD. Important to mention it in USD. If you put the value in EUR it will also look suspicious when the package comes from the US.

Stil, there is a good chance that they hold it back QualityMechKeyboards. Especially when it is a big package, like for a whole keyboard. In this case they will ask you to come to their premises and open the package there. You also need to present the invoice. They do this in a letter which they send to your home address.

I can give you a few more hints on that if you like, but for that I need to know, did you bought something from a professional seller where you cannot influence the price in the invoice, or from a "normal" person?
And what kind of item is it?