If you live in europe & import prepare to rejoyce

its about fckin time! just the fact that customs opens and handles my stuff makes me mad, even more whey they charge ridiculous prices for stuff I already paid... its pure extorsion...

a friend of mine once ordered a Jaguar game and when he got it the box was sliced in half due to our lovely customs careful inspection of the package with a sharp xacto knife xD

of course the answer from the customs was " F.U. we had nothing to do with it, it was like that when we got it"

but like Jamtex said they can still assrape you all they want by not aproving the declared price

 

I wanted to point out that this new law is an European law, yet some people think Europe == UK
But it's 27 (?) countries now and as such no part of the English goverment (or Royal Family) is directly involved in this.

Also using a private carrier (Fed ex, DHL, etc) will no more mean sure import tax :thumbsup:

 

If I were in europe I would be more interested in finding a way to easily import cars.

With the euro you guys can get an Acura for the price of a Civic over there.

Hell, you can save a lot buying an european car like a BMW from the US and shipping it (back technically) to europe.

I was just going to make that joke, but couldnt find the pic from that episode (or the video).

 

2009 BUMP
a small update on these news since this bill/law is now in effect

I thought this would be a turning point but it just made things worse... at least in Portugal
Since they cant charge the import tax because it has been raised and most stuff is under that value they had to find a new way to make money off people so they have started charging VAT+random fees on everything that is imported

Before this new bill/law only random packages would be retained for customs inspection, now everything is getting retained (and taxed) at customs...

So fellow European members, how has it worked out for you?
What have been your experiences since this new bill/law has been instated?

 

No BlazBlue for me. I do have a rather healthy 21 quid import charge though. Arseholes. I can't even pay the charge and get my sodding game until they get their arses in gear and send me a letter.

 

It's things like this that have prevented me from wanting to live in Europe
which is why my eventual port of call will most likely be Singapore.

 

Anyone want to take bets on how long it will take for GodofHardcore to be caned and deported from Singapore?

 

Very interesting news as I've been stung a few times with this when importing from japan.

 

I don't know about Europe or other domestic postal service carriers. But Swiss Post is still the cheapest for me (Tax and Fees).

Private carrier are still more expensive and unreliable (Sending a bill a month later, delivering at ungodly times, jerks).

 

Good news for ya guuys! well done

 

Mate this is also for you, it's a European "law" :rambo:

 

4 days. :110:

 

Good news for us then! Even though I haven't faced any problems with taxes while importing expensive stuff .

 

I bought resident evil longbox from usa for 15$ and our customs here charged me 3€
So I'm not sure if this law has really been applied..

 

Meh the usual approach mate,

"Aoo we don't know anything"

If we print and carry it with us?

 

it applies, but remember: import tax still applies, too!

this is just for customs!

 

Well i spoke the the person in charge in my local post office about the 3€ import charge, and told me that the previous 22€ cap, has been reduced to 9€, with a minimum mandatory 3€ import tax..
I don't know what's going on with the other European union countries, but that's the situation around here

 

That's exactly why this new law hasn't changed much: each country will still charge at least VAT or other charges if the value of items passes a certain country-specific limit. If you don't order really expensive stuff from outside the EU, the raising of the import limit doesn't change a damn thing.

 

I imported a lens from Hong Kong to the value of £1,029. Thankfully the seller put down £0 value and "gift" on the form, shipping came to '80' (didn't mention which currency though) and I've as yet to receive an invoice for any duty/tax so I'm happy .

 

& you wont. If there was any charge then they wouldnt release the package for delivery.