VAT on a present sent from outside the EU
#1
Just Joined
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 18
VAT on a present sent from outside the EU
I don't know whether anyone else has had this experience.
I was sent a Christmas present from my son in New Zealand, which was posted from there on the 11th December.
One the 10th January, I received a letter from the postal services in Madrid, requesting, for the customs, details of the contents of the parcels, receipts of their purchase and required me to send my NIE, in order that I can receive this parcel, AFTER sending them my bank details, as they require me to pay for the tax - VAT (IVA) on them here in Spain.
I wrote back, but they are adamant that this has to be paid, before they will release the parcel, stating that all goods coming into Spain, even if they are a present, are liable for this tax.
I have never had this happen before, and as this parcel contained less than 100 euros worth of presents, namely a jumper, card and calendar and wonder whether this is a new thing or not.
I am now concerned as to whether all gifts sent to me from both my children
(they live in Australia and New Zealand) will be liable for all this rigamarole.
I was sent a Christmas present from my son in New Zealand, which was posted from there on the 11th December.
One the 10th January, I received a letter from the postal services in Madrid, requesting, for the customs, details of the contents of the parcels, receipts of their purchase and required me to send my NIE, in order that I can receive this parcel, AFTER sending them my bank details, as they require me to pay for the tax - VAT (IVA) on them here in Spain.
I wrote back, but they are adamant that this has to be paid, before they will release the parcel, stating that all goods coming into Spain, even if they are a present, are liable for this tax.
I have never had this happen before, and as this parcel contained less than 100 euros worth of presents, namely a jumper, card and calendar and wonder whether this is a new thing or not.
I am now concerned as to whether all gifts sent to me from both my children
(they live in Australia and New Zealand) will be liable for all this rigamarole.
#2
Re: VAT on a present sent from outside the EU
I've had to do it with stuff sent from the States, but as far as I remember, I just paid in cash at the Correos. I don't remember it being that much of a faff.
Did your children put a customs declaration label on the parcel?
Did your children put a customs declaration label on the parcel?
#3
Just Joined
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 18
Re: VAT on a present sent from outside the EU
Thanks for your reply, but it appears from e-mail from the Gestor at ADT Madrid, I am required to give my bank details, with no mention of paying at the Correos, which would be far simpler to do.
I shall wait and see.
Just to confirm, both my children attached the green customs label, with the details and cost of the parcel, onto their parcels. So it is a mystery as to why they need more proof.
I shall wait and see.
Just to confirm, both my children attached the green customs label, with the details and cost of the parcel, onto their parcels. So it is a mystery as to why they need more proof.
#4
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: In the middle of 10million Olive Trees
Posts: 12,053
Re: VAT on a present sent from outside the EU
Thanks for your reply, but it appears from e-mail from the Gestor at ADT Madrid, I am required to give my bank details, with no mention of paying at the Correos, which would be far simpler to do.
I shall wait and see.
Just to confirm, both my children attached the green customs label, with the details and cost of the parcel, onto their parcels. So it is a mystery as to why they need more proof.
I shall wait and see.
Just to confirm, both my children attached the green customs label, with the details and cost of the parcel, onto their parcels. So it is a mystery as to why they need more proof.
but would never give anyone my bank details so they can take what they want. there has to be alternative methods of payment even if it is arranged thru your bank as a transfer
these things sometimes seem arbitrary, but the deciding factor can well be how "truthful" the green customs declaration is and as its Spain the mood of the person handling the package.
regrettably the payment of any VAT in the antipodes doesnt wash.
many years ago came in to Heathrow, customs officer insisted I had to pay tax on the watch I had on my wrist - he got really nasty when i showed him the engraved date on it was over 2 years old and insisted on checking even my underpants and washbag twice before letting me go. Needless to say I missed my train home
#5
Just Joined
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 18
Re: VAT on a present sent from outside the EU
Thank you for replying, Domino.
I am not happy about passing on my bank details via an e-mail, so try to find out if I can pay at the Correos.
Regarding the contents, well, they are what they are, but if wanted, they can open and check.
I will update you when I hear back as to what has happened, but I grateful for taking time to reply, as it can cause paranoia sometimes about the workings here. Still we love living here, and that is what counts.
I am not happy about passing on my bank details via an e-mail, so try to find out if I can pay at the Correos.
Regarding the contents, well, they are what they are, but if wanted, they can open and check.
I will update you when I hear back as to what has happened, but I grateful for taking time to reply, as it can cause paranoia sometimes about the workings here. Still we love living here, and that is what counts.
#6
Re: VAT on a present sent from outside the EU
Thank you for replying, Domino.
I am not happy about passing on my bank details via an e-mail, so try to find out if I can pay at the Correos.
Regarding the contents, well, they are what they are, but if wanted, they can open and check.
I will update you when I hear back as to what has happened, but I grateful for taking time to reply, as it can cause paranoia sometimes about the workings here. Still we love living here, and that is what counts.
I am not happy about passing on my bank details via an e-mail, so try to find out if I can pay at the Correos.
Regarding the contents, well, they are what they are, but if wanted, they can open and check.
I will update you when I hear back as to what has happened, but I grateful for taking time to reply, as it can cause paranoia sometimes about the workings here. Still we love living here, and that is what counts.
#7
Re: VAT on a present sent from outside the EU
Thank you for replying, Domino.
I am not happy about passing on my bank details via an e-mail, so try to find out if I can pay at the Correos.
Regarding the contents, well, they are what they are, but if wanted, they can open and check.
I will update you when I hear back as to what has happened, but I grateful for taking time to reply, as it can cause paranoia sometimes about the workings here. Still we love living here, and that is what counts.
I am not happy about passing on my bank details via an e-mail, so try to find out if I can pay at the Correos.
Regarding the contents, well, they are what they are, but if wanted, they can open and check.
I will update you when I hear back as to what has happened, but I grateful for taking time to reply, as it can cause paranoia sometimes about the workings here. Still we love living here, and that is what counts.
New items coming into the EU from outside are subject to customs duty and VAT. In the UK in the past Fed Ex or whoever have paid it straight off and then sent me a bill. I pay it or I dont get the parcel.
Not happened to me in Spain yet
#8
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 982
Re: VAT on a present sent from outside the EU
Never again!
#9
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: In the middle of 10million Olive Trees
Posts: 12,053
Re: VAT on a present sent from outside the EU
used to have RM's manual on posting to countries outside the UK, was pre-EU, and detailed all the things you are not allowed to send to the various countries along with the items that are not allowed to be imported into the UK.
a bit dry, but kept me awake during long night shifts.
perhaps it is now available on the internet.
however, it is a sad thing that many items in (for example) the US are cheaper than here in the EU and by bringing them in via mail/courier could be deemed to be and advantage and lets face it The Government want the duty they would normally get for such products.
buy from Europe is my motto, but you can't turn down gifts from family.
a bit dry, but kept me awake during long night shifts.
perhaps it is now available on the internet.
however, it is a sad thing that many items in (for example) the US are cheaper than here in the EU and by bringing them in via mail/courier could be deemed to be and advantage and lets face it The Government want the duty they would normally get for such products.
buy from Europe is my motto, but you can't turn down gifts from family.