Tulli (customs) taxation percentage

Skywalker · Post by **Skywalker** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 4:03 pm

I had a quick look on the Tulli website but couldnt see what i'm looking for.

Does anyone know what percentage that the customs charge on packages coming from non EU countries?

For example i need to order some stuff from America, in total it comes to around $500, which is about 360€

Will i be charged the percentage of the $500 or 360€? i.e % of 500 or % of 360?

Any info is appreciated.

**Sponsor:**

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 4:16 pm

Skywalker wrote:Does anyone know what percentage that the customs charge on packages coming from non EU countries?

For example i need to order some stuff from America, in total it comes to around $500, which is about 360€

Will i be charged the percentage of the $500 or 360€? i.e % of 500 or % of 360?

Any info is appreciated.

6th grade maths, max 7th.

$500 x 22% = $110 = 79,2€ = 22% x 360€

mrjimsfc · Post by **mrjimsfc** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 4:27 pm

If the person/company sending the "stuff" lists the value as being only $50.00, the import tax (tulli) would only be $11.00

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 4:30 pm

Doesn't it also depend on what's in the package. Some articles (food and books) have a lower rate of VAT and some articles (textiles???) have import duty as well as VAT ??????????

Skywalker · Post by **Skywalker** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 5:27 pm

6th grade maths, max 7th.

I just asked what the percentage was ie. the 22%. I am quite able to calculate the taxation....

If the person/company sending the "stuff" lists the value as being only $50.00, the import tax (tulli) would only be $11.00

I have been to Tulli once before and they make you open the package, so they can check whats inside.

Doesn't it also depend on what's in the package. Some articles (food and books) have a lower rate of VAT and some articles (textiles???) have import duty as well as VAT ??????????

The items im buying are parts for a bass guitar, some hardware parts and also so electronic parts (pickups etc)

Bubba Elvis XIV · Post by **Bubba Elvis XIV** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 6:24 pm

Skywalker wrote: The items im buying are parts for a bass guitar, some hardware parts and also so electronic parts (pickups etc)

they might not even bother as pick ups are small and come in small boxes.

Have you tried Thomann in Germany?

http://www.thomann.de/

Maybe imuso too

http://www.imuso.co.uk/

GAK is ok too but last time I tried to order they wouldn't ship outside of the UK. But now there is funny flags so I guess they do ship outside.

http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/

Skywalker · Post by **Skywalker** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 6:57 pm

Yeah, but the american prices are waaaaaayyyyy cheaper than anything in Europe. The price of the pickups and preamp plus shipping in Europe come to almost the entire shopping list from the shop in America. Even after tax i still save around €200.

Bubba Elvis XIV · Post by **Bubba Elvis XIV** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 7:11 pm

True...It happens a lot all things combined, it's still cheaper and what with the weak dollar.

I picked up about 2 CDs and about 3 7" singles the other month...with postage, was about 24 euros. One single alone from the UK was over 10 pounds. Crazy stuff.

What kind of bass do you have?

Skywalker · Post by **Skywalker** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:22 pm

What kind of bass do you have?

Right now i have a 5 string Westfield Warwick Corvette/thumb copy....

but...

The stuff i'm ordering is for a bass that is being built for me by a finnish luthier. It's going to be a 6 string, singlecut Fodera Imperial Elite copy, a bit like this

different woods though.

Bubba Elvis XIV · Post by **Bubba Elvis XIV** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 9:19 pm

Skywalker wrote:finnish luthier.

There's a lot of good luthier's here.

That's a crazy looking axe you're getting there...

I've wanted a MusicMan Stingray bass for years....Probably not gonna happen though.

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 9:23 pm

Skywalker wrote:I had a quick look on the Tulli website but couldnt see what i'm looking for.

Does anyone know what percentage that the customs charge on packages coming from non EU countries?

For example i need to order some stuff from America, in total it comes to around $500, which is about 360€

Will i be charged the percentage of the $500 or 360€? i.e % of 500 or % of 360?

Any info is appreciated.

I don't think we understand your question.

First, they take the TOTAL of purchase price plus shipping cost. Then they convert the total to euros. Then they multiply by 22%. This gives you the amount of VAT due in euros. I don't know if there are other service fees and/or import duties.

AldenG · Post by **AldenG** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 9:40 pm

penelope wrote: First, they take the TOTAL of purchase price plus shipping cost. Then they convert the total to euros. Then they multiply by 22%. This gives you the amount of VAT due in euros.

I think I read a story like that by Dante back in college.

That's almost pure evil.

raamv · Post by **raamv** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 1:25 am

If you are buying it as an individual and the individual items are packaged in one, you can try to ask them to consider it separately and see if it falls under the maximum allowed..
Just to let you know, For an official package received for work for a $400 item , the tax/duties came to €25 a couple!!

mrjimsfc · Post by **mrjimsfc** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 5:45 pm

Skywalker wrote:Yeah, but the american prices are waaaaaayyyyy cheaper than anything in Europe. The price of the pickups and preamp plus shipping in Europe come to almost the entire shopping list from the shop in America. Even after tax i still save around €200.

It's that €200 that they are trying to recover by using the customs/import tax system. The customs official probably has an advanced degree (Doctorate?) in some exotic thing like "Paranormal Psychology of Extra Terrestrial Subspecies" and is only doing the customs job until he can get a high paying job in his major. He could care less what you are actually getting and probably has no concept of the real cost involved. He just puts the costs into the computer and tells you to pay what the computer spits out. THEREFORE, send a friend or associate the money to buy the stuff for you. Have him take it out of the original boxes (leaving the bubble-wrap in place), pack it all nice, neat and secure in one box and then send it as "Used miscellaneous electronics, value $50.00". End result, you save big time and everyone is happy. Just make sure he insures it.

AldenG · Post by **AldenG** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 8:07 pm

Does the customs guy not look at the insured value?

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