Thread: importing US gear into the EU.

Chimensch: but she is returning to the US, she's just visiting her parents here.

As much as I know, I will be charged the tax because the EU didn't collect any taxes on it yet.
When buying used goods within the EU, you won't be charged the taxes, that's true.

Originally Posted by chief

Chimensch: but she is returning to the US, she's just visiting her parents here.

As much as I know, I will be charged the tax because the EU didn't collect any taxes on it yet.
When buying used goods within the EU, you won't be charged the taxes, that's true.

Let me try and explain this better... Your friend arrives in the EU and, when she goes to customs, they say, you are importing this guitar and you need to pay duty on it and she says, "No, I'm not importing this guitar, I'm bringing it to use while I'm here but then I'm taking it back with me. Here's a certificate to prove it." Of course, then she doesn't take it back when she leaves.

I know that's what you meant, but I fear the customs maybe will ask what happened to the guitar when she returns.

That sounds like my most viable option though... thanks!

Originally Posted by Bruno

You have to pay for delivery. Don't know what they do if you refuse.
Guitars, PDAs, laptops etc are common things that they deal with a lot, and the prices are high enough so they make an effort.
For stones and razors, I think they can't be bothered to look up the rules and just slap the 10 euro default on it.

Bruno, I was told it is actually the Belgian Postal Service, that adds the 10€ for offering the package to customs. They seem only to add it when customs doesn't collect further taxes.

Originally Posted by chief

I know that's what you meant, but I fear the customs maybe will ask what happened to the guitar when she returns.

That sounds like my most viable option though... thanks!

They are not going to bother with wondering what she originally brought with her. After all, the guitar could be lost or stolen after a gig.
Of course none of this is legal.

Considering the risks vs. benefits, what are the consequences of getting caught?

Thinking of the wise old saying, "Give unto Caesar that which is Caesar's." Or, in other words - don't F with the King's money.


Scott

Originally Posted by honedright

Considering the risks vs. benefits, what are the consequences of getting caught?

Thinking of the wise old saying, "Give unto Caesar that which is Caesar's." Or, in other words - don't F with the King's money.


Scott

The problem is that, these days, "Caesar" fûcks pretty hard with our money, instead of we with his...

Originally Posted by Bart

The problem is that, these days, "Caesar" fûcks pretty hard with our money, instead of we with his...

Yeah, well, in the words of another great wise man, "It's good to be King..."



Scott

Originally Posted by Bart

Of course none of this is legal.

Ha-ha! If he wanted to know what was legal, he wouldn't have asked us!

Originally Posted by OLD_SCHOOL

I'm not sure how European customs works, but usually if there is no price tag on an item, it is assumed that the item is used and so no taxes would be charged. If it were brand spanking new and still in its box, with a price tag and invoice enclosed, then that might be a different story.

Not here: we pay VAT on the price of the item regardless of age. If you can prove it is antique (over 100 years old) it attracts a lower rate but you still pay VAT! The EU is just a greedy SOB, member states contribute a certain percentage of VAT revenues to sponser the politicians in Brussels and Strasburg.

In my experience of both British (very serious guys & leeches) & European (only slightly less so), if it is being shipped & they can work out,or even suspect, how much it is worth, they will have their pound of your flesh. An American friend sent a baby's rattle, skillfully hand-carved by his good self recently. Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs want £30/€35/$44 for it, meaning they think it is worth what...? It is a present to an as yet unborn child for goodness sake. I really dislike my so called government at the moment.

IMHO Having your friend bring it over as described sounds like the best bet. Guitar smuggling is so low down the list of priorities that it is not worth worrying about.