can anyone explain me how customs' fees when entering europe

[kamaleon]

Hi folks again

I live in France, never set a foot to the US myself.

But i have a dear friend who currently lives in Chicago.
I was thinking of getting her to buy me a T60p and bring it over when she will come in a few months.

Does anyone know anything about exporting fees that she'll likely come accross when leaving the US / entering Europe? I suppose if she claims it's her working tool, she won't be asked a cent?

Or, if she sends it to me in airmail, but she clearly states in the packet, it's a gift for me, will i still have to pay for customs?

Would anyone know how this sorta thing work?

Thanks in advance.

[ronbo613]

Just don't carry a receipt for the item and have her tell the customs officials it is her computer. We do this kind of thing with camera equipment all the time.
Sending it by mail(you should insure it against loss so the value would be on the package) or by FedEx or UPS(requires customs forms stating value) will almost always result in duty fees or tariffs.

[dorin]

all my laptops i owned (except the x40) were bought from usa due to insanely proce difference. they were brought through the customs either by me either by friends. just tell her to go straight to the "nithing to declare line". nowadays almost everybody has a laptop, just imagine how it'd be when you go out to stop everybody who's carrying a laptop... check-ing in would be insanely fast in comparation...
by mail....well...it goes through customs if its value its higher than the country's limit. normaly is only the VAT of that country, sometimes they add some taxes..check your customs office

[kamaleon]

ok, thanks for that!

I had a feeling that asking her to bring it with her on the plane was the right choice. But as she won't be coming before may, i was wondering if getting her to send it insured by mail declaring it was a gift was also something that could work.
I had vaguely heard that some people ask ebay sellers to state that their sales are gifts so taxes could be avoided...

[JHEM]

I had vaguely heard that some people ask ebay sellers to state that their sales are gifts so taxes could be avoided...

Even if it's a gift you're usually responsible for VAT calculated on the retail value plus fees.

James

[kamaleon]

ok, now i know for sure, i won't ever try that then.

Thanks a lot.

It's been a great couple of days in this board since i've joined in. Great insights, friendly people. I hope i'll have a thinkpad at some point so I get to hang out here

[JHEM]

I hope i'll have a thinkpad at some point so I get to hang out here

Bienvenue to the Forum and feel free to hang out even without a Thinkpad.

James

[kamaleon]

[makeitcount]

I had vaguely heard that some people ask ebay sellers to state that their sales are gifts so taxes could be avoided...

Even if it's a gift you're usually responsible for VAT calculated on the retail value plus fees.

James

What if you only declare it as a $400 value, wouldnt you only be getting calculated on that value, and NOT the retail value?

I mean if I say I bought X machine from Y at $400 value, who are they to say otherwise?

[JHEM]

I mean if I say I bought X machine from Y at $400 value, who are they to say otherwise?

If it's a used machine you're wise to always get paperwork substantiating that fact and declaring the unit correctly.

But bear in mind that, regardless of what most people think, revenue and customs agents aren't fools and attempting to declare a $4K latest version laptop is a $500 used beater will seldom pass scrutiny.

If they believe that you're attempting to get over over on them they have the ability to establish a value based on LOCAL retail values and ask for VAT and fees based on that value.

James

[kamaleon]

Roger that, i'm 100% sure your speaking wisdom so I'll avoid messing up the customs.

Cheers a lot