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How to avoid German customs payment for parcels from the UK?
I have just received two presents from friends in the UK. They already paid customs and filled in the customs declaration form. The gifts are exempt from customs, but I had to pay a considerable fee (customs and a release fee) to retrieve the parcels from the post office.
Has anybody got any experience of how to avoid these fees and suggestions?
I loathe the Brexit!

BritInParis

Why are they paying customs duties and to whom? Did they tick ‘Gift’ on the customs form? What value did they list?

GyroMagician

I think we're all learning to loathe the Brexit. The same thing happened to us with two presents for my son for Christmas. There is a limit on the value of gifts - I think of 45€, but don't quote me on that. Also, the limit is per day rather than per package, so maybe ask the sender to stagger posting. And possibly be a little optimistic about the value of the presents contained ;-)

London Berlin

Thank you for your reply : )

Assanah

Receiving gifts from third countries is a hassle. If the gift is worth more than 45Euros you have to pay duty. If customs is not sure what is in the package they hold the package and you have to go to their office, open it in front of them so that they can see what it is.

That's called free trade 😂

Assanah

Btw, I completely stopped ordering from the UK. Too much hassle. It's a shame, it's called Brexit.