Mail order from outside the EU

[Araucaria]

I am trying to buy some small and cheap items of clothing (less than € 20 worth) from South Africa.

Has anyone experience with the French customs (I mean duanes) on mail order like this? How will they collect the duty/TVA? Will they bother?

[Nick Trollope]

On 20€? No. I buy lots of stuff from the F/E and the US and have never been charged. (got a copy of Corel X4 this AM from the US, cost 60$ and the sender didn't even bother with a customs declaration).

[Gemonimo]

I've just ordered two pairs of lightweight walking trousers from LLBean in the US so if there is no duty payable I'll be very happy.  However, if I'm charged I'll let you know.

[Rowan]

I sent myself a large box from the US last time I was there, via UPS I made a customs declaration stating that the goods had no commercial value, When UPS France received the package they phoned me up to ask what was in the package and the value and when I told them it was mostly my clothes (cos I bought loads of stuff in the US which I brought home in my suitcase), they were fine. Nothing to pay.

Rowan

[Araucaria]

I don't really mind being charged the duty - it's my choice to order from South Africa (it's a sun-hat very similar to the Tilley J3, but a lot cheaper). What I don't want is to find the parcel gets stopped in Paris or Toulouse, and that I have to appoint an official/approved customs agent to pay the duty for me and clear it through customs. I'd hoped there might be some COD arrangement.

I'll report any news - but I won't be holding my breath. It'll take time. Maybe for next summer's sun!

[Millie]

I hope you have nothing to pay.  However, my brother-in-law sent us a Christmas box, last December from Canada.  Mainly kids toys, and Aviation magazines.  Nothing of high value, and we were charged 70 euros.  I was incandesent with rage. 

[cooperlola]

My o/h buys loads of stuff from the US and very rarely is he charged anything - even when it's due.  It does seem a bit of a lottery.  However, when there are charges to pay it's our postman who collects them so it's not a logistical problem for sure.

[Russethouse]

[quote user="Gemonimo"]I've just ordered two pairs of lightweight walking trousers from LLBean in the US so if there is no duty payable I'll be very happy.  However, if I'm charged I'll let you know.[/quote]

 I got charged when I bought stuff from them (I'm in the UK) - the value is on the outside of the parcel if I remember correctly

[woolybanana]

Ah RH, but they were extra large sizes!![6]

[Russethouse]

 They were for my mother - she is tiny !![:D]

She likes 'knitted' cotton trousers but they MUST have pockets (for her fags [6])

Sorry off topic!

[ernie]

Hi Araucaria,

 

May I ask which company you use in South Aftica ?  Woolworths ?  Pick and Pay ?

 

Thanks from Ernie

[Gemonimo]

[quote user="Russethouse"][quote user="Gemonimo"]I've just ordered two pairs of lightweight walking trousers from LLBean in the US so if there is no duty payable I'll be very happy.  However, if I'm charged I'll let you know.[/quote]

 I got charged when I bought stuff from them (I'm in the UK) - the value is on the outside of the parcel if I remember correctly
[/quote]

Package arrived this morning.  $99.00 for two pairs of fabulous trousers and NO duty! Made up for a rubbish start to the day!

 

[Russethouse]

Well done !

[ericd]

Got two motorcycle helmets shipped from California to my mother's place in France to ensure we would have it for the summer. As luck would have it, i got charged around €40 for both and had to send the money first before they came back to deliver the item. I think it depends on which service you use (courier or Post Office) and luck of the draw at the sorting office.

Gemonimo, which courier system did they use for your pants?????

[Gemonimo]

[quote user="ericd"]Gemonimo, which courier system did they use for your pants?????[/quote]

It was the PO eric, but the package was very light, not like a couple of motorcycle helmets which wouldn't fit in a letterbox!

[mint]

Oh, Gem, I'm very relieved that you will actually be wearing trousers on the Compostelle.  I had visions of you...............oh, nevermind, won't even to there![:D]

Will email you later [kiss]

[ericd]

Are you guys doing the walk to Compostella in September???

[Gemonimo]

[quote user="ericd"]Are you guys doing the walk to Compostella in September???[/quote]

Yes, in ten days[:-))]

[ericd]

How long are you planning this walk will take?? Where are you starting from?

It has always been an aim of mine to do it from Calais all the way down...May be when i retire.

[Araucaria]

I think the really traditional pilgrimage from England started at Canterbury rather than Calais. Though at one time I believe the pilgrims then took ship from Hythe to Bordeaux, as France wasn't exactly safe for walking through.

[mint]

I believe that pilgrims started from their front doors!  A logical place, if ever there is one.

Eric, you might like to consider walking from Mont St Michel.  I have heard that Scandinavian and other northern European pilgrims often choose this route.

Another traditional choice is to start from le Puy en Velay.

We started from St Jean Pied Port and did the walk over the Pyrenees in one weekend in July and now we start from Roncesvalles.

Apologies for going off topic but I wanted to answer Eric's query.[:)]

[powerdesal]

I sent 3 large boxes of 'stuff' from the UAE to France by Post, 2 x 30kgs + 1 x 18 Kg. Delivered by the Post Lady, to the door and no customs charges at all. Value was stated as zero on the declaration.