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Old 21st May 2020, 10:44 am   #10
cmjones01
Nonode
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Warsaw, Poland and Cambridge, UK
Posts: 2,669
Default Re: VAT & Customs Duty on imported items

Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig Sawyers View Post
I find the catch-all £8 clearance fee onerous.
I used to think that, then I moved to Poland.

Here, importing anything that exceeds the VAT/duty thresholds (which are the same as the UK) requires interacting with the customs office, either creating the proper multi-page Single Administrative Document for import or writing a letter (in Polish, of course) confirming that the goods are for personal use and not for resale, providing evidence of the original purchase price (invoice translated into Polish) and how the money changed hands, and then paying separate fees for customs clearance, any VAT or duty due, and then to someone else in the office next door for "storing the package". In cash, no change given. On one memorable occasion I had to show my passport 7 times and spend all morning at the sorting office in order to obtain a package which had cost me about £50.

£8 to have all documentation and queueing requirements waived seems like a bargain!

Chris
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