Question - Sending stuff to France

[HarlequinZero]

Anyways, I just sent a package to a gentleman in France and Chronopost has impounded the package citing the following reasons as delivered to me in a PM.

I just called Chronopost International, and they told me that even if it is labelled as a gift, I have to pay for customs and VAT as soon as the value is over 22€. I didn't know that and that drives me mad.

Moreover they are asking for a receipt or bill that you got when you purchased the miniatures.

If they don't get this kind of document they will send it back to you

And even if you have such a document, they will make me pay something like 100$ in order to get the package.

Now, the entire package was valued at a grand total of $228 USD. How in the heck can they justify trying to charge the poor guy $100 dollars in import duties? VAT is 17.5% isn't it? But this is like 50% in taxes.

And why the heck would they need a receipt from when *I* purchased the models or they'll send them back to me? I quite honestly don't have that info anymore.

And yes, the package was marked as a gift. I can't believe they make people pay taxes on gifts over 22 euro! What if, just as a random example, some English parent sent their kid whose studying in France a birthday gift? They'd have to make sure the gift was worth less than 22 euro or have exorbitant taxes thrust on their kid?

My question is has anyone here dealt with these fools at Chronopost? Have you any ideas on how to resolve this situation?

[beowulfdahunter]

Oh well sucks to be him. You cannot control what other countires do and just have to go with the flow. For that reason many on here are weary with sending ot other countries.

[HarlequinZero]

Yea, but for reference, I'm an American living in Japan. I've dealt with both of these country's postal systems extensively and they would never impose that sort of garbage.

[ancientsociety]

It sucks but then, it's not your problem. You could call or email Chronopost and explain the situation but, beyond that, there's not much you can do about it.

If the tradee has a problem with his country's import duties, he should take it up with his elected officials.

[JohnHwangBT]

I've shipped internationally only rarely. When I so so, I complete the Customs declaration form stating that I am shipping "toys". And as my internationl trades have been small, it's been something like this:

- "toys, $15 USD"

I usually won't claim them to be a "gift" because these items are being sent for payment / barter with monetary value / compensation.

Now, if you didn't declare customs properly, that's probably the root of the problem. And the key question is who said to declare it as a gitt without any value associated with it. If he told you to ship it as a gift, then the risk of customs impound was on his end.

In any case, you should create an invoice / bill giving inventory and value so that he can address things with customs properly.

[kturock]

good luck. what you commited was fraud. you and your recipient commited tax evasion.
customs forms are tax forms.

customs fees are the same as import fees for larger shippers, like for cars and appliainces. they are taxes.

on cars you can see the import fee or tax, on the sticker.

how much countries charge, is completely arbitary.
i've seen them charge more than retail to almost nothing.

all of the items should be listed as used toys. it is used correct? if it's NIB, well, thats anotyher problem. it is still a new toy. open the box, unwrap it, it's no longer new. taking it out of the box does the same thing.

used items have a lower rate. you listed it as a gift. gifts are usually new items. [who'd send a used item as a gift?]

good luck.

when the customs officials think that the form is inncorrect, like yours is, they charge higher fees, and can even add fines and penalties. [which they might have.]

you were caught. now, pay the penalties.. it's between you and the addressee, who pays how much. if he asked told you to write the frauduant amount, and list it as a gift, then he should pay it. if it was your choice, then you should pay all or part of it. if you both deceided on it, then split it.

you got caught stealing. time to pay the piper.

.

[HarlequinZero]

The package was shipped with the true value listed and marked as a gift per the other guy's instructions.

Well, I'll tell the guy the general consensus here and go from there.

[mrrshann618]

I have a friend who lives in Italy. I've done a handful of trades to England, and a decent share to Canada. Canada I've never had a problem. England and Italy I've also never had a problem, I have had to declare things a bit more more accurately.

Italy - Books, DVDs, few nick-nacks
DVD example - I Listed it as "DVD - Fear and Loathing"
Never had a problem

England Mostly GW stuff
Example 5 Lizard plastic miniatures/Models

Never had a problem, and according to the other side, all arrived within about 8 days. Most of the time it is labeled as gift.

I currently Have a trade with France happening. I'm simply hoping that your horror story doesn't happen to me.

[Alkatchoff]

This is odd. I've never sent anything to France of that value, but I have sent family living there smaller gifts in the past, and not once did they get taxed.

On the other hand, I remember one trade on B-town where I was to receive used DVD's from the USA. I think I had to pay around 75$ as a tax/customs fee to receive them, which was about 50% of the trade's value. It's the only time I've had to shell out close to that much money for a customs fee. Just to say that a 50% fee/tax isn't completely unheard of in my experience.