Any customs fees when shipping a pony to the U.S. from Germany?

[Haruna]

Hi! Hopefully this is an easy question (and hopefully I've posted it in the right place): does anyone know if there are customs fees when someone from the U.S. receives a package from someone in Germany? I'm thinking of buying something from an Ebay seller in Germany, and I just want to make sure I won't be hit with ridiculous customs fees.

I did a search through our past posts here that indicates that U.S. buyers don't usually have large customs fees (or any?), which is good news. But I'd like to confirm that.

[MikeysGrrrl]

I believe custom fees/import charges is dependent on the value of what you are purchasing.

Now I'm not in the US but this is what I've been using to get an idea of what types of extra charges I'd be looking at for more expensive purchases.
http://www.dutycalculator.com/new-import-duty-and-tax-calculation/

[Ringlets]

I'm in the UK but as far as I know you wont get hit with any customs fees unless you buy something thats reeeaaally expensive     (if it was the other way around and you were shipping to someone in europe, they would have fees though ) US peeps are very fortunate in that way.

[Haruna]

Okay, thank you both very much! I'm hoping it won't get really expensive. I never realized until reading posts about it that people in Europe have such bad customs fees! It makes me wonder if a person who once bought a Wavedancer from me in Austria got a good deal when the customs fees were added in. I hope so. I used the shipping calculator you sent, MikeysGrrrl. How handy! It indicates that toys don't have customs fees here. So that sounds good!

[cloud_weaver]

Ugh...customs fees are my nightmare...    I sold my Thailand Ice Crystal via ebay a couple of years ago and insured him for the value he sold for - $650.  Not only was the shipping fees over $50 (w/insurance) to Europe, but because he was insured and valued so high, my buyer had to pay almost $150 in customs fees just to receive her package.  I felt terrible - it was awful... 

[brittney_rochelle]

I think it depends on value. I've sent plenty of things to Europe and no one has reported customs fees so far. 


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[cloud_weaver]

I think it depends on value. I've sent plenty of things to Europe and no one has reported customs fees so far. 


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Absolutely.  It also depends on if you mark it 'gift' or merchandise.  If you mark it merchandise, it is subject to customs fees.  But if you mark it gift, it avoids customs fees.  However, if you mark it gift when it was a purchased item, you're committing fraud, and it will not be covered by any insurance that may be in place.  :/

[CupidStrikes]

I think it depends on value. I've sent plenty of things to Europe and no one has reported customs fees so far. 


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Absolutely.  It also depends on if you mark it 'gift' or merchandise.  If you mark it merchandise, it is subject to customs fees.  But if you mark it gift, it avoids customs fees.  However, if you mark it gift when it was a purchased item, you're committing fraud, and it will not be covered by any insurance that may be in place.  :/

Actually, gifts are only covered up to a certain amount (£36 here) Any shipping that is priority/EMS/Express, etc, counts towards the value, too.

The customs fees themselves aren't so bad, but the mail companies are allowed to charge an expensive flat-rate" handling fee" on top for carrying out their job  That's the part that sucks.

[Unicorn_pops]

I've bought loads of stuff from Germany and never once had to pay a custom fee.

[Lollipop]

I am not sure the exact amount in the USA but I no China we sent to someone in the USA that was over £160 got charged customs. But another who was just under £100 didnt get charge so I am pretty sure its a very high amount ...
Unlike our very low £15

& Then Australians are very lucky and dont have to pay anything (so glad I have a cousin there hehe)