Consequences when trying to avoid custom charges by indicating a lower value...

40kaas-nl · Apr 29, 2009

Hi all,

I frequently buy items over the internet from people outside the EU. When the value of the item is above â‚¬25 or so Dutch customs sometimes charges VAT and custom charges...

When I ask sellers to indicate the value is lower than what I actually paid this almost never seems a problem? And even when they open the parcel I think it would be quite difficult to accurately determine the value of clothing?

But are there any penalties for me or the seller when they suspect you intentionally provided false information about the value?

Thanks!

Fuuma · Apr 29, 2009

You can't use insurance over the declare value so if the package is lost well you only get say 20â‚¬ back.

40kaas-nl · Apr 29, 2009

Originally Posted by Fuuma

You can't use insurance over the declare value so if the package is lost well you only get say 20â‚¬ back.

That is true but most items are not that valuable and it really sucks to pay â‚¬35 custom charges when you bought a 80 USD pair of pants for example...

And I experienced that things rarely get lost, it is a calculated risk I think

globetrotter · Apr 29, 2009

aside from defrauding the federeal government?

40kaas-nl · Apr 29, 2009

Originally Posted by globetrotter

aside from defrauding the federeal government?

No, I think that is just the part I am interested in

Could you get a penalty and would it be the seller or the buyer who would be in trouble?

For instance, I ask the seller in the USA to indicate a value of 20 USD instead of 80 USD for the pants so I will not have to pay the custom charges here in The Netherlands?

globetrotter · Apr 29, 2009

Originally Posted by 40kaas-nl

No, I think that is just the part I am interested in

Could you get a penalty and would it be the seller or the buyer who would be in trouble?

For instance, I ask the seller in the USA to indicate a value of 20 USD instead of 80 USD for the pants so I will not have to pay the custom charges here in The Netherlands?

if you ask the seller to put incorrect charges then you are defrauding your government. the chances or getting cought are pretty close to zero, so I wouldn't sweat it, but yes, you are breaking a law.

Fuuma · Apr 29, 2009

They can revise the value at customs but I doubt you'll have to pay a penalty, never seen it in any country I've received/sent packages but that's as far as I'm willing to go.

40kaas-nl · Apr 29, 2009

Originally Posted by globetrotter

if you ask the seller to put incorrect charges then you are defrauding your government. the chances or getting cought are pretty close to zero, so I wouldn't sweat it, but yes, you are breaking a law.

I realize it would be defrauding the Dutch government but could the guy in the USA get in trouble doing this?

likeitaloud · Apr 29, 2009

Originally Posted by 40kaas-nl

I realize it would be defrauding the Dutch government but could the guy in the USA get in trouble doing this?

Hypothetically.

I think the value of used stuff is only as much as you payed for them. So I think in an extreme case if the transaction is tracked, it is possible.

whusurdadi · Apr 29, 2009

Originally Posted by Fuuma

You can't use insurance over the declare value so if the package is lost well you only get say 20â‚¬ back.

that's not true...
UPS can insure an item for more than it's declared value.

VKK3450 · Apr 29, 2009

^ so can royal mail.

K

globetrotter · Apr 29, 2009

Originally Posted by 40kaas-nl

I realize it would be defrauding the Dutch government but could the guy in the USA get in trouble doing this?

even less likely - essentially he isn't breaking a US law, he is breaking a dutch law. but, the US government could look at it unfavorably, because it shows a willingness to break laws, and could get him investigated for tax things.

we get requests all the time for this type of thing.

Steve Smith · Apr 29, 2009

Originally Posted by 40kaas-nl

I realize it would be defrauding the Dutch government but could the guy in the USA get in trouble doing this?

Worst case is that he would be snatched off the street and shipped to Guantanamo. It's not that common when you just understate the value. Marking it as a gift, however................

Consequences when trying to avoid custom charges by indicating a lower value...

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