Customs charges when purchasing items over the internet from abroad is a bit of a minefield. Here are some tips from a DRS Radio "Espresso" item transmitted on 3rd March 2010.

The key thing is to make sure that the goods are sent via NORMAL post (and not via courier or other special post). For normal post, the following rates should apply:

• For goods whose value is less than CHF70, there should be CHF0 customs
• For goods valued between CHF70 and CHF500, customs should be CHF18
• If you are getting several items, consider purchasing them separately. Eventhough you will have to pay postage on each item, it will decrease the likelihood of you having to pay customs.

Notes:
If the goods are sent via normal post they are processed via "Simplified Customs Clearance" (Vereinfachte Verzollung). The above rates should apply. Couriers etc. use the Standard Customs Clearance (Standard-Verzollung) which is a bit of a lottery.

The CHF70 amount includes postage etc. So if you purchase an item for CHF65 and the postage is CHF10, then you are liable for customs. The CHF70 comes from the DRS radio item. I couldn't find this amount mentioned anyplace else. It is related to the price point at which MWST (VAT) kicks in.

I'm sure plenty of EFers have had completely different experiences Be warned!

There is an online petition to increase the customs free amount and to force the couriers to use the simplified customs model. See "KONSUMENTEN Schutz" link below

Some Links:
DRS Espresso Item (Swiss German) - "Weniger Zollgebühren für Päckli aus dem Ausland?"
http://www.drs2.ch/www/de/drs2/sendu...t10125735.html

Swiss Post Postal Customs Clearance
http://www.post.ch/en/post-startseit...verzollung.htm

"KONSUMENTEN Schutz" online petition (German - PDF)
http://konsumentenschutz.ch/files/pd...lgebuehren.pdf

I hope this info is of some use, and not completely wrong! I have followed these tips for the last few months when buying from Amazon and other retailers. Up to now (touch wood etc.) I haven't been hit for customs.

Alexis

hi Fitzgera,
thanks for your post.
just a question, when you buy from Amazon.co.uk, how do you know if they will send it via NORMAL post ?
I am confused with the VAT/customs for a purchase I made last week. may you help me to understand if it was done properly by Amazon and Suisse customs ?
I bought a Lacie media player from MemoryC at Amazon.co.uk last week. the price was 84.88 GBP plus 8 GBP for transport. A couple of days later I got an email from Amazon, refunding 1612 GBP (adjustment of TVA they said, 14.73 GBP refund on the media player and 1.4 GBP refund on transport).
Today I got the media player by post, but I got to pay a 47.45 CHF bill from customs (MWSt-Gebühren 12.45 CHF and Zollabfertigung 35 CHF).
cheers

On Amazon.co.uk I usually select Standard delivery (or Royal Mail). The CHF35 indicates that it came through Regular customs clearance and not "simplified customs clearance".

Was it delivered via courier? The Swiss Post also has a courier division as well as the normal post.


Alexis

Have the item delivered to a drop box in Germany then cross the boarder to pick it up

CK

How do you do that?!

There are a number of services that do this, I don't have the name on me at the moment but I'm sure a google will get you what you want. It is effectively a private office box but you only pay when items are picked up. You have a month to pick them up else they are sent back to sender.

CK

A few helpful links

http://www.englishforum.ch/other-gen...amazon-uk.html

There was a thread by Castro http://www.englishforum.ch/members/10094-castro.html I I think) nine months ago regarding a company who would receive your mail in Germany, just over the border, can`t find it at the moment, I cannot find it at the moment.

Hi Alexis,
when I bought the media player, the transport was quoted at 8.00 GBP but there was no option to select the type of transport.
yes, it was delivered via EMS worldwide courier.

Now I was reading the Amazon Participation Agreement GT&C (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/cust...nodeId=3216781 )
and, unless I am misreading it, at paragraph 5.3 it states that the displayed price in the website shall include the customs costs.

QUOTE
... items sold using the service must be displayed inclusive of any customs, import, export and excise duty, VAT and any other taxes associated with the Fixed Price Sale...
UNQUOTE


I believe I have the right to claim the customs bill to the seller. what do you think ?

I doubt it... see here for outside EU buyers...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/cust...2576#outsideeu

To quote from post http://www.englishforum.ch/448094-post4.html

So I'd say you would be lucky if you got anywhere.

And you won't be the last EFer to get and at this!

I think you are right. The rules for Marketplace traders are very clear on this and for this reason I only sell within the EU. The marketplace trader will tell you where to get off, but you can claim using the Amazon claims mechanism quoting the relevant clause and you will get the refund, at least there is a 90% chance you will - they charged me more than the selling price for exactly that situation. But it is up to Amazon with the stupid point being you cannot make a claim against Amazon for a breach of their own rules. They cover that so if they reject your claim you have no basis or mechanism to further your claim.

Thanks Castro for the link, use a company in Germany, who will receive the package, send you a mail (extra charge for an SMS) when it arrives and charge you a small fee for their services. http://www.serviceadresse.com/

Sorry the page is in German.

I believe those are the rules for items sold by Amazon.co.uk, but for items bought in Amazon.co.uk from other sellers (MemoryC, in my case) I believe the ones to apply would be http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/cust...nodeId=3216781 )

I do not understand why the seller declared the package as gift instead of merchandise. I guess the customs agent got annoyed about that and charged the 47 CHF.

Only if the boarder is good looking

Alexis,
I just had a chat with a very gentle lady at Swiss Post Service Client (0848888888) and your post above was very accurate. just a minor detail, where you typed CHF70 shall read CHF65.
So, in the end, customs charged me 35 CHF for customs clearance, 9 CHF for VAT, 1 CHF import duties and 2 CHF as flat rate for advanced payment of VAT and import duties.

Thanks for that.

The CHF70 was the value mentioned on the DRS programme that I took most of the info from.


Alexis

Anything sent via EMS is considered express post and will attract that Fr.35 charge. Avoid if possible, especially from UK as normal post takes only 1 or 2 days more. In this case, Fedex, UPS, DPD are all better as they charge only around Fr.18.


But then you continue to pay UK or German VAT. For more expensive items, may not be worth it.

Would it then be safe to assume this:

Example 1:

I purchase goods from the UK for approximately 280 pounds(362 fr) inclusive of postage. I know the courier will send it to me simply because i ordered shoes and they always "upgrade" me to that service. therefore my other charges would be :

1. The customs charge of 35fr.

2. 7.6% Vat = (0.076)(362)=28fr

3.Any other Charge?

Just want to bump this post to ask if any one knows if these charges are still the case for postage?

I want to order some small RC parts on ebay from Hong Kong with a value of about 55 chf. If they are sent via regular post will I have to pay any fees/tax/duty for receiving them? Should I ask the sender to put a lower value for the goods on the customs declaration or ask that they are sent as a gift in order to avoid any charges?

Here are the customs regulations:

http://www.post.ch/en/post-startseit....htm#txt108698

If the item plus postage are more than CHF62-, you will be charged VAT and a customs clearance fee of CHF18-.

If the seller was happy to put a value of CHF45- rather than CHF55- on the customs form, you'll probably get it without paying a fee. The other option would be to ship in two packages, particularly if the items are small and the additional cost of postage would be low.