Package from Germany to the UK - do I need a customs declaration?
Posted by Dangerous-Smoke-5487@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 10 comments
Hey guys, I’m planning to send a gift from Germany to the UK. German post says I need to fill out a customs declaration. Does anyone have any experience with that and knows if it’s really needed? Obviously I don’t want to add a list of the gifts with its value because… well, no one wants to receive a gift with a list of prices included, right?
Another_Random_Chap@reddit
Yes, you will need to do a declaration. And there will almost certainly be VAT and import duty applied when it reaches the UK, a charge that is applied based on the value of the items and the shipping charges. This will have to be paid before the item is delivered, and there is usually a handling charge of at least £8 as well on top.
Dangerous-Smoke-5487@reddit (OP)
Thank you for your reply! That is only if it’s over a certain value right?
Another_Random_Chap@reddit
Yes, but it's not a high value - currently £39 I think, and that includes the shipping costs. I used to buy records from the EU but the extra charges now just don't make it viable. I've bought items where the charges literally doubled the price.
Dangerous-Smoke-5487@reddit (OP)
Adding the shipping costs is just insane
Another_Random_Chap@reddit
Go back a few years and most small shipments used to make it through with no charges. This was mostly because HMRC didn't have the capacity to check all parcels. But then they made the delivery companies responsible for collecting the charges rather than HMRC, and as a sweetener they allowed the delivery companies to charge a handling fee to do so. So now practically nothing makes it through, and you have to pay a fee to pay the tax.
Extreme-Dream-2759@reddit
I sent to Norway a lot as i have family who live there.
You need to list what is there and what the cost is. But you can keep it vague - clothing etc
But check what the limit is for not getting taxed to Germany (different countries have different limits) otherwise they will get a bill to collect the parcel.
Make sure you select the gift box
Anxious-Molasses9456@reddit
Even if you mark it as a gift, the recipient will probably end up being charge customs and tax
Popular-Reply-3051@reddit
Yes. You only have to state category and approx value though. Does rather take the surprise away.
Me and my German relatives just buy stuff online mostly Amazon to avoid this. Just set the country to deliver to or use this countries version of Amazon. I will often just use Amazon.de to buy gifts then I know it defo goes to Germany.
IxionS3@reddit
All international parcels require customs declarations unless they're traveling between countries in a customs union.
So yes, a parcel from Germany to the UK (or vice versa) needs a customs declaration.
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