Paying tax on a gift sent to me?? - Page 4

AntH · #61 14.04.2010, 14:17

	Quote:	Sinéad
	Swiss Post rang on my bell this morning looking for 26,30 CHF before they would hand over a parcel my mother had sent for my daughter. I was furious at having to hand over so much money to receive a gift worth 55 quid but reluctantly handed over the cash. When I had calmed down, I looked up the EF to see if there was anything I could do and found this post. I saw that I was entitled to receive gifts to the value of 100 CHF. 55 pounds + 3 pounds postage was under 100 CHF! I rang the number which was on the docket I was given by the postman prepared to get into a discussion about exchange rates. I began the conversation by saying I was entitled to receive gifts to the value of 100 CHF and before I could continue the man on the phone said that was correct and the parcel I had received was worth 91 CHF so if I could please give him my bank details he would transfer the money to my account!! I was absolutely astounded. I can't help feeling they were trying to pull a fast one on me to see if they could get away with charging me tax where no tax was due! I would like to thank everyone for the very helpful information in this post and at the same time warn people to double check if they really have to pay up when the Swiss Zollverwaltung claims they should.

I have to admit I probably wouldn't have given my bank details to some chap on the end of the phone tho. If they had said go to a post office and they will reimburse you there it would be a different matter. I do love the gamble that comes with revieveing mail. I'm currently beating the system with the bike I recieved but I imagine they will get me one day

Lindt Lover · #62 14.04.2010, 18:23

I never got any responce to my module sent to the swiss post.
The lady at the post office told me it is "immer besser" that the sender puts a green label on the package, my one direct from the supplier had a white label.But based on the last post, I guess I should have kept the docket

andy02 · #63 14.04.2010, 20:42

	Quote:	Lindt Lover
	I never got any responce to my module sent to the swiss post. The lady at the post office told me it is "immer besser" that the sender puts a green label on the package, my one direct from the supplier had a white label.But based on the last post, I guess I should have kept the docket

The labels aren't green anymore but white, in most countries. And certainly in England.

foliorose · #64 06.09.2011, 08:56

I'm resurrecting this thread instead of starting a new one...hopefully some one will see!!!

A stroller replacement part was purchased for my husband and me off of our Baby Registry after I came back to Switzerland from the US this summer. So now my mom is going to send it to me. It's in a Bugaboo box with Bugaboo tape all over it, so it's pretty obvious what's inside - something from Bugaboo! It's a GIFT, so if she removes the invoice and fills out the customs declaration to reflect that it is a gift worth less than $100 will they still charge customs? Would it be better to put it inside an unmarked box instead?

When she sent me Uggs (in the Uggs box) at Christmas and marked Gift with a value of $150, I had to pay 31 CHF.

Was that because of the box marked Uggs or the value over $100? Hard to say!!!

Thanks for any advice!!

herc82 · #65 06.09.2011, 09:31

	Quote:	foliorose
	I'm resurrecting this thread instead of starting a new one...hopefully some one will see!!! A stroller replacement part was purchased for my husband and me off of our Baby Registry after I came back to Switzerland from the US this summer. So now my mom is going to send it to me. It's in a Bugaboo box with Bugaboo tape all over it, so it's pretty obvious what's inside - something from Bugaboo! It's a GIFT, so if she removes the invoice and fills out the customs declaration to reflect that it is a gift worth less than $100 will they still charge customs? Would it be better to put it inside an unmarked box instead? When she sent me Uggs (in the Uggs box) at Christmas and marked Gift with a value of $150, I had to pay 31 CHF. Was that because of the box marked Uggs or the value over $100? Hard to say!!! Thanks for any advice!!

There are plenty of threads in the forum about VAT/customs clearance - the treshold for charges-free imports is currently at a value of CHF 62.- (including postage). So if you have a friend sending you goods, it might be a good thing if they declare a low value on the package. If a high or no value is declared, customs will act on it and debit you the VAT/clearance/admin fees.

foliorose · #66 06.09.2011, 11:30

Including postage? I've received gifts with $80 value on the declaration form and $60 in postage and not paid anything. What a mystery!! I think I'll have my mom repack it afterall. Thanks!