It's usually best not to select the express or courier services as customs clearance costs more. I've instructed Amazon to always use normal post.

I selected the cheapest possible shipping method. It came via Basel. Vat/MST CHF5.60, Customs clearance CHF33.00, handling charge CHF10.00 and another charrge of CHF10.00. With the invoice came a copy of the invoice from the supplier which clearly shows EUR22.59.

33+10+10=CHF53. This is Swiss Post GLS fee if VAT is >CHF5. I feel your pain... If VAT was miscalculated you should contest charges but it boils down to about 10 bucks you might get refunded. There should be a phone number on the bill.

Well that's the dodgy thing right there. Since when is the VAT on EUR23 = CHF5. By my calculation EUR23 = CHF35, VAT of 7.5% on CHF35 = CHF2.62. The attached VAT invoice calculates the VAT amount on CHF78. WHere do they get CHF78 from when the actual invoice supplied to them and then sent on to me clearly says EUR22.50. I' have no problem paying what is owed but when this happens I get REALLY angry.

As the author of this thread I can happily report that my parcel from Amazon UK has arrived.

I know that many of you have been suffering from insomnia and anxiety attacks worrying whether my parcel would arrive duty free. Well I can report that my 5 CDs did indeed escape the evil Swiss tax man!

Thanks for your replies, which I would summarize to the following rules:
Keep CDs or DVDs below a value of 66CHF.
Keep Books below a value of 209CHF.
Choose the snail-mail option for your delivery.
Be aware that the Swiss Post reserve the right to make up their own rules each day.

just found this thread as I am needing to do a large Amazon book order. Working as an academic means books are necessary and english language books are problematic. Still, seems to be there is a business opportunity here for someone living in Evian. Amazon UK ships to Amazon fr within EU no duty. Let us folks on the north shore of Lac Leman use your address, we'll hop on the boat and get the books or whatever. Deal? Anyone?

Why not check out www.bookdepository.co.uk instead.

They offer free shipping to CH so you don't need to group book orders to reduce the shipping cost (you could order book by book if you wanted to). They ship by UK post which is normally five days to CH. Just keep the order below CHF 209 (as stated above) so you are not liable for VAT.

Can't seem to find out what I need to know as almost everyone talks about books and cds on Amazon threads.

I want to order a toy from Amazon.de. It is priced at CHF 30. Will that be ok if sent in the post? It is under the threshold of CHF 62, but never sure if takes a hit as it is a particular product type.

As long as the postage is less than 32 CHF, you'll be fine. (The threshold is price + postage and packaging costs).

Funnily enough, I ordered it and the list price is EUR 24.98. It was free delivery. They only billed me EUR 20.99. Wonder if that is to do with having it delivered to CH.

Anyway, not complaining!

Because they take off the German VAT as it is being delivered outside the country...Enjoy!

Doh! Have a laugh at Oldmanc and take a peek at Mrs OM's lingerie as we got stung:

http://www.englishforum.ch/daily-lif...ax-charge.html