customs services: they charge taxes for outdated hardware from the 80's

[ajk]

The idea is that for any item, somewhere in the EU appropriate taxes (value added tax, mostly) will have been paid for the item. So yes, also for old items that are being imported for the first time taxes are due.

I don't know if this is variable within the area but generally VAT is not applicable for transactions between private citizens, so it's not a concern here on AmiBay for example. An existing item has been sold by a manufacturer at some point or another and the VAT will have been paid for then. But if you are importing something from the US or elsewhere, it's "new".

 

[everblue]

I do not buy anything unless it is shipped from within the EU.

 

[Xanxi]

So, here is a picture of the Trackstar board.
It looks old and smells old.
I am unsure if it might take place in an Amiga ISA slot because of the short 8 bit connector. This card has a lower ISA connector than usual. Besides, the shape of the board causes that i can't use it with a 16 bits ISA slot, which rules out an A3000/4000 and even my A2000 (all 8 bit slots have been upgraded to 16 bits in this one).
I would need an ISA expansion chassis like IBM used to make to have it outside the Amiga.

 

[UberFreak]

Customs for 2nd hand items is indeed evil!

Here we have another problem, which exist only with courier services.
They charge quite insane fees for "handling" the item upon delivery. If you're unlucky & customs decided to open the parcel, you pay even more crazy "customs handling" fees, even if no tax was applied.
These fees do not exist with the national mail service, only with couriers.

I got burned big time, twice, and decided to never again buy anything sent via couriers (Fedex,DHL,EMS,UPS, etc).

 

[AndyLandy]

Customs for 2nd hand items is indeed evil!

Here we have another problem, which exist only with courier services.
They charge quite insane fees for "handling" the item upon delivery. If you're unlucky & customs decided to open the parcel, you pay even more crazy "customs handling" fees, even if no tax was applied.
These fees do not exist with the national mail service, only with couriers.

I got burned big time, twice, and decided to never again buy anything sent via couriers (Fedex,DHL,EMS,UPS, etc).

You're lucky! Our national postal service, Royal Mail, charge a £8 handling fee on anything that is processed by customs. You can't avoid it.

 

[Pghulme]

And Royal Mail hold your parcel to ransom until it's paid

Customs for 2nd hand items is indeed evil!

Here we have another problem, which exist only with courier services.
They charge quite insane fees for "handling" the item upon delivery. If you're unlucky & customs decided to open the parcel, you pay even more crazy "customs handling" fees, even if no tax was applied.
These fees do not exist with the national mail service, only with couriers.

I got burned big time, twice, and decided to never again buy anything sent via couriers (Fedex,DHL,EMS,UPS, etc).

You're lucky! Our national postal service, Royal Mail, charge a £8 handling fee on anything that is processed by customs. You can't avoid it.

 

[NinjaRabbit]

You're lucky! Our national postal service, Royal Mail, charge a £8 handling fee on anything that is processed by customs. You can't avoid it.

And if your parcel is even just a tiny bit over a particular size (i.e., considered to be "large"), that handling fee doubles to £16, too...

It really does grate when you get charged an £8 handling fee on something the size of a business card, though.

 

[kenshigros]

Hi there
I have delt onve buying a boxed C64 from the US to France in very good shape and even had the old bill from the 80s.
I had the same problem as others but I agree about the VAT you declared.
The insurance will cover whatever the price is so you better declare low knowing that if anything happens you get squash.
Usually nothing happens with tracked parcels but sometimes.
My personal experience if I remember correctly is that the custom ask me to pay almost 150€.....!!!!
I called directly Roissy Chronopost custom service and yold at them.
First there was this woman (sorry for that) who knew nothing about computers.I got nervous when she asked for the bill of this NEW machine.I laughed and shout at her telling her it was a used 80s machine which is sold everywhere at an average 50€.
So she gave up and pass me to a new guy more responsable and lucky to me he was a commodore 64 fan!!!!
He told me to fill a letter printed from their website and scaned it and mail it to them and that was it.
I am not sure about the end of the story because it was a long time ago but I think I did not pay or just paid for 50€...
end of story---
This fact was for Chronopost France from the US.
Remember the price you buy is not necessary the prive is worse!

Sorry for my english

A bientôt (C U soon)

Alex

 

[Firthy2002]

I avoid buying stuff from the US purely because I know my luck would mean getting hit with a customs charge higher than the value of the item I purchased!

If it's something specific I'll look at EU sellers first.

 

[NinjaRabbit]

Well, that's the entire idea behind the taxes - protectionism.

 

[Xanxi]

I'm glad the EU feels safe from old Apple II emulators that might flood the EU market and destroy jobs of local makers of Apple II emulators.

 

[NinjaRabbit]

Heheheh... Ain't that the truth.