Dordledum
Commander
3398 Posts
    
Netherlands
 | | 02/28/2006 12:18 PM |
| Just want to share my experience and put up a little rant towards Dutch customs. Let this be a warning to all who order from abroad.
I got a small inheritance the other day and decided to buy some minis which I still needed to complete my collection. After some contemplation I chose 16 various Harbinger and Archfiends rares and ordered them from ahubb. Great seller! I can recommend him to anyone buying miniatures from the older sets. I added a MFT, Troll Slasher and Skullcrusher Ogre to the list as well, because one can never have enough Mindflayers, Trolls and Ogres. Nineteen miniatures in total.
About 500$ worth of minis. I thought: wow 500$ is a lot of money, I'd better take the insurance option on my package. This forced the seller to state the true value of the package being sent however. All is still well you think. I agree.
I waited for my package to arrive, through tracking I could see that it had entered Dutch customs about a week ago. Nothing happened. Four days later (!!!!) it finally got cleared through customs and got sent to my home. The postman came, I opened the door, and he said: that's 34,95 Euro's please (about 40$!!!). I said why? I paid 27,50$ for shipping and handling. He said: you need to pay, shipping costs have not been paid. Needless to say, I wanted my minis and paid the extra f@#$-ing 35 Euros.
What appeared to be the case? Because I wanted insurance, Adam was forced to put up the full value on the package. Dutch customs got curious and decided to open the package, check it out thoroughly, and sent me the bill, adding some dutch VAT to boot. Thank Adam for putting only a value of 100$ on the package or the costs would have been fivefold.
I am thrilled with my minis, bbut in the end I will never use package insurance again. a total shipping costs of 67 dollars is too much.
Want to note again that this was eventually my own fault and taht Adam (Thousandsofminis on maxminis) has been great and patient throughout the entire thing, a top seller!
just needed to get this of my chest,
now give me my cases of Wardrums, FLGS!!!
D.
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Member of the Bearded Devils
Champion of the Huge Spider (WotDQ 46/60), A New Umber Hulk (DoDe 57/60), and the Orog Fighter! | |
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alepulp
Underboss
1538 Posts
Manchester, England
| | 02/28/2006 12:23 PM |
| | I had a similiar experience - I bought $700 of minis from the US and got charged £110 in import duties to the UK. This problem doesn't exist between European Union countries though - try buying from online traders here in the UK if your FLGS doesn't come up... | |
One of these days WoTC will update their tournament page when I'm in the top 5... they never seem to do when I'm in that bracket :(
My Collection My DDM Website And My Trade Refs Be a part of the UK DDM Forum
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Sammael
Underboss
1881 Posts
| | 02/28/2006 12:31 PM |
| | Anything under $100 in value (shipping costs excluded) is not subject to Serbian customs (for now), so I generally try not to go over that limit. Now, something that makes me mad is that whenever I order something to be sent via Global Express Mail from the US (3-5 business days, insured, tracking), I have to pay about $5 extra to our Post Express service for delivering it. | |
Hypethetical Blood War Set List | Champion of the Gelugon | Vindicated Prophet of Blood War
Ha 69/80 | De 60/60 | Ar 57/60 | GoL 72/72 | Ab 60/60 | DK 60/60 | AF 60/60 | UD 59/60 | WD 57/60 | WDQ 3/60| BW
Total DDM Count: 1037 | No chance of finishing the set | Will finish the set | Set | |
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Vash
Underboss
1995 Posts
| | 02/28/2006 12:37 PM |
| Question for a "just sos I know"
What exactly entails a package coming through customs. I've traded with a few overseasers and have never had issues with this since the trades have been small.
Do they just x-ray it, scan an extra barcode and let it be on its way?
If this is the case then all those extra P.O. costs are absolutely rediculous.
Please enlighten me [:D] | |
Champion of the Alhoon and my called shot for Unhallowed
Blood War Called Shot: Phoenix
Trade withe me! | |
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serithax
Warrior
342 Posts
| | 02/28/2006 12:45 PM |
| As for customs it depends. Countries have different rules as for how to check it and how long it can be held. It's also not uncommon for packages to be opened and searched at customs.
I couldn't say there is any standard to avoid customs but anything raising a red flag (partially filled out forms, high value amounts, 7.62x39 FMJ written on the side of the box, etc...) can make a customs stop much more likely. But as customs is always done on the receiving country's side, you can figure out what works and what doesn't and relay that to whoever is sending you stuff so they don't trigger any red flags.
I haven't had too many problems with customs except for one time sending out to Iceland where I had to list the value for insurance which slapped the recipient with a rather large bill. But there have been horror stories of items being held for months or arriving with items missing, so its best to just list everything as easy and simple as you can to avoid the stop or at least too much time at the stop. | |
Harbinger: 80/80 - Dragoneye: 60/60 - Archfiends: 60/60 - Giants of Legend: 72/72 - Aberrations: 60/60 - Deathknell: 60/60 - Angelfire: 60/60 - Underdark: 60/60 - War Drums: 60/60 - War of the Dragon Queen: 58/60
Rebel Storm: 60/60 - Clone Strike: 60/60 - Revenge of the Sith: 60/60 - Universe: 60/60 | |
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madda
Sergeant
714 Posts
| | 02/28/2006 12:47 PM |
| Well, any decent shop puts true value on the green custom note. I'm not sure about the "real" old DDM value as it falls into collecting issues.
Also, there's usually a threshold (varies from country to country) that belowe it the customs will not bother to charge VAT. Divide your packages with this in mind just as you mind the shipping costs for multiple packages. (From my experience the shipment cost of several few packages is sometimes cheaper than a large one).
Finally, I never missed a package before and I did tens of international transactions. Consider insurance very carefully as it's costy by itself. | |
Champion of Cockatrices.
I wish I never wished a wand of wishing. (Wishful thinking.)
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Chat about miniatures. | |
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Sir Bozak The Damned
Commander
2854 Posts
Québec
| | 02/28/2006 12:57 PM |
| | In Québec, we are taxed the most out of any Canadian provinces and anything listed at more than 20 dollars US is subject to a 15.56% customs fee we have pay...In Canadian funds, but still... [B)] | |
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Champion Of Kaz the Minotaur Knight of ALL Draconians. Squire Of ALL Constructs
The number ONE fanatic Of Dread Guards ! I own 66 !!! And the GMR1 !!!
119 completed trades so far...NB called shot: Medusa | |
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Tgt
Sergeant
574 Posts
| | 02/28/2006 1:18 PM |
| | Just 15%? Here in Brazil anything above 50 dollars and markes as "gift" is taxed in 60% of original value. If it falls into "merchandising" category, the tax also is applied to the shipping costs. | |
VINDICATED Champion of the Mounted Blackguard
DoD called shot: Phrenic Manticore
They´re taking the Hobbits to Isengard!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1752017962119496176 | |
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Sir Bozak The Damned
Commander
2854 Posts
Québec
| | 02/28/2006 1:56 PM |
| | Wow ! I am sad to hear that...You must be forced to buy locally then [:0] | |
Please donate BLOOD at http://www.monstersgame.co.uk/ac=vid&vid=11018554
Champion Of Kaz the Minotaur Knight of ALL Draconians. Squire Of ALL Constructs
The number ONE fanatic Of Dread Guards ! I own 66 !!! And the GMR1 !!!
119 completed trades so far...NB called shot: Medusa | |
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Tasmanian_tiger
Warrior
300 Posts
| | 02/28/2006 2:56 PM |
| In Belgium, it depends.. sometimes it gets through, don't have to pay (usually the small packages, but still, it depends, I've gotten bigger things (rp books) through also) and sometimes it doesn't. Then I get to pay the mailman.. Lately I haven't been very lucky. So I'm staying away from international sales.. basically anything outside the EU.
I wonder if they caught on to me.. grmbl. | |
Champion of Dragotha
"Life is full of doors that don't open when you knock, equally spaced amid those that open when you don't want them to"
My Trading Reference Thread
Pending Trades: none pending - Completed trades: Dire Badger, Clanguard, spikegif, Shoe, Gaddszooks,Dj-Chuckles, cmlobue | |
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kestrel.ca
Underboss
1684 Posts
| | 02/28/2006 4:50 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Sir Bozak The Damned
In Québec, we are taxed the most out of any Canadian provinces and anything listed at more than 20 dollars US is subject to a 15.56% customs fee we have pay...In Canadian funds, but still... [B)]
I'm not sure I agree with "more than $20" statement as a universal rule. In my experience, a high value is certainly more likely to trigger a customs search (obvious by the bright yellow tape resealing the package, the tear-proof zip-loc bag it's been placed into, and the extra cost) but will not necessarily trigger one. I have had large value parcels pass through customs without inspection (up to $100 sometimes) and I've also had to pay tax and customs inspection fee on items as small as $5. | |
Completed Trades/Transactions: 94 || Bad Trades: 3 (Chaotic Good x2, MackeyV) | |
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Tgt
Sergeant
574 Posts
| | 02/28/2006 6:05 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Sir Bozak The Damned
Wow ! I am sad to hear that...You must be forced to buy locally then [:0]
Buying locally would be even more expensive [:(] | |
VINDICATED Champion of the Mounted Blackguard
DoD called shot: Phrenic Manticore
They´re taking the Hobbits to Isengard!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1752017962119496176 | |
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Bert the Troll
Commander
3964 Posts
Adelaide
| | 02/28/2006 11:21 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Tgt
Just 15%? Here in Brazil anything above 50 dollars and markes as "gift" is taxed in 60% of original value. If it falls into "merchandising" category, the tax also is applied to the shipping costs.
Ow! That would hurt.
~
I was burnt once early on, trying to save postage costs, so gathered a group and did a big order of minis. Hit for 15% tax when it got here which was nasty. So now I try to keep under $200 AUD which is our baneful figure. | |
"Mutton yesterday, mutton today, and blimey, if it don't look like mutton again tomorrer." Bert the Troll - The Hobbit
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Champion of Epic Lolth, Orcus, & Demogorgon and bring us Asmodeus! | |
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Sir Bozak The Damned
Commander
2854 Posts
Québec
| | 02/28/2006 11:27 PM |
| | You are right kestral, but for miniatures in small to medium boxes or even boosters ( americans can send to us in boosters, we cannot-only inside Canada..) that is usually the breaking point, although it could be 25 on minis, I am uncertain. Labelling them as "dolls" like one seller did triggered a search, having no insurance from a US seller can trigger this and a signature requirement also usually triggers custom fees. It is not reallt set in stones and varies. Canada Post should have a clear and unflinching guide we could consult and burn them if they actually over-zealous about fees, in my own opinion... | |
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Champion Of Kaz the Minotaur Knight of ALL Draconians. Squire Of ALL Constructs
The number ONE fanatic Of Dread Guards ! I own 66 !!! And the GMR1 !!!
119 completed trades so far...NB called shot: Medusa | |
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Kunimatyu
Sergeant
725 Posts
| | 02/28/2006 11:56 PM |
| | I wonder if that's what happened to that one package I sent Nixlord ages ago. | |
Champion of the Aboleth, Prophet of Denizens. BW Called Shot: Babau, UH Called Shot: Aspect of Vecna | |
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Sir Bozak The Damned
Commander
2854 Posts
Québec
| | 02/28/2006 11:59 PM |
| | Could be Phillipinian ( spelling ? ) customs as my package to him took nearly if not more than a month to get there airmail, but Nixlord was very nice about it and kept a positive attitude. I was the one starting to lose it, LOL [)] | |
Please donate BLOOD at http://www.monstersgame.co.uk/ac=vid&vid=11018554
Champion Of Kaz the Minotaur Knight of ALL Draconians. Squire Of ALL Constructs
The number ONE fanatic Of Dread Guards ! I own 66 !!! And the GMR1 !!!
119 completed trades so far...NB called shot: Medusa | |
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