Forums Latest Members

French Customs and a Hypothetical Situation

  1. kidkimura Aug 1, 2016

    Posts
    602
    Likes
    1,524
    Hey all-

    Hypothetically speaking, a FRIEND has a problem. He is shipping a watch to France from the US, and the buyer is balking at the customs fees, and has not so subtly hinted that valuing the watch as parts or thereabouts would get the deal done. This FRIEND is thinking about taking a day trip to Paris if necessary, but isnt totally comfortable with the value tinkering.What does the collective think? Any hypothetical experience with this type of the stuff in the past?
     
  2. padders Oooo subtitles! Aug 1, 2016

    Posts
    8,931
    Likes
    13,873
    Just bear in mind that if the invoice is artificially low to fool customs, you run the risk that if it gets lost in the post, as occasionally these things do you will be underinsured (or not insured at all). Also if customs spot it they can impose sanctions presumably up to and including seizure of the item. Or if you are lucky they may just demand payment of the tax on the true value. Plenty do it but there are real risks.
     
  3. tpatta Happily spending my daughter’s inheritance Aug 1, 2016

    Posts
    1,817
    Likes
    3,126
    Have your FRIEND take the day trip to Paris. Solves his issues and HE gets a day in Paris. :D
     
  4. Bushido Aug 1, 2016

    Posts
    1,059
    Likes
    2,414
    In this "hypothetical," your friend is taking a risk. While not a high risk, if that shipment does get eyeballed, your friend is left holding the bag alone. They could be hit with anything from a fine up to forfeiture of the watch. Meanwhile, the recipient takes no risk in either event. Cost benefit analysis would dictate shipping it fully legit or taking a day trip. The other option leaves the shipper with all the risk and no reward.
     
  5. Syrte MWR Tech Support Dept Aug 1, 2016

    Posts
    7,384
    Likes
    20,738
    French import taxes are horrendous. About 20% of the value of a watch, and high administrative fees on any amount-- so you might be importing a 60 euro watch and get hit with a 36 euro payment to customs. Any watch that's in the range of 400-500 euros in value will get hit with a good 100 euros in taxes. It can definitely be a deal breaker...
     
  6. padders Oooo subtitles! Aug 1, 2016

    Posts
    8,931
    Likes
    13,873
    That isn't just French taxes, this is pretty much the same anywhere in Western Europe. The 20% VAT you describe is identical in the UK so for instance a £90 watch with £10 shipping will cost after import around £132 which consists of an additional 20% of the original price plus shipping (yes you are taxed on the shipping cost also) plus admin fee from the courier making charge on behalf of the revenue people. These are actual values, not guesses by the way!