Duty Fees - Shipping to Germany - Any Experiences?

Contributor: Eugler Eugler
Hey!

I'm plannig an order the following year, but I have made bad experiences with German duty clerks. Ok, that time I wasn't ordering sex toys but some other stuff from USA.

Is it just paying the duty to the post / ups clerk or did you have to enter the duty office and open the parcel (which is less a problem of shame but more of driving that long way).
12/19/2012
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Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
I don't think I've read any stories from German contributors on-site about this. I'd kinda like to know too.
12/19/2012
Contributor: Arlinnae Arlinnae
I live in Europe too, though not Germany - for me it takes about a month from shipping to get the package, 12 days to clear customs!
12/19/2012
Contributor: roskat roskat
Here's how it works in my country in the EU (not Germany, though):

If the parcel is shipped with USPS, I get a letter in the post that the package is waiting in the airport customs. I can go pick it up there (and pay the fees), let the post do the customs clearance or do the customs clearance (and pay the duty/VAT's) online myself and the package will be then "freed" and forwarded to regular postal delivery. I do the last option (fastest and cheapest way).

Delivery companies such as Fedex, UPS do the custom clearance for you. You will pay them a handling fee, plus the possible import taxes/VAT's (they bill you later). They will not open the package.

The customs do have the right to open your packages for inspections. However, they will not likely do this just for the sheer volume of packages arriving every day. Especially if the package is forwarded to your local post office. Those people do not have the right to open your package for inspections.

EF will always mark your package with "MASSAGER". I use this on the customs forms so it will match what is on the package (regardless of what's inside). My packages have never been opened by the customs.
12/19/2012
Contributor: Eugler Eugler
Thank you very much! That was very helpful!
12/20/2012