receiving a camera in Paris, needs your help

[guoshuo]

I recently bought a leica m3 from ebay, usa to Paris, by USPS. Today I received a mail from the post office, see attach. From my very limited French, I guess it needs some proof of the purchase. I'm not sure what to do next. Anybody has any experience with it? If it's gonna charge me 20% duty, which would be 700X20%=140 euro. Do you think it's a good idea to let it return? Thanks.

Shuo

IMG_20151106_143654 by GuoShuo, on Flickr

 

[k__43]

I do not speak french sorry .. but import taxes are a thing in germany too. I often get a letter from DHL to go to my local customs office an pick my shipment up. Tax here is 19% for anything coming from outside EU.

It's not a good idea to let the problem take care of itself if the seller isn't prepared to pay your money back.
Even if: it will probably also stay in customs for ages so you might wait a long time for your money or may even get lost.
Just pay the tax and learn the lesson, sorry.

 

[sevo]

French members will probably know better about the details, but as far as that letter goes, you only have to present a proof of purchase and price and (going by experience) your ID card (or equivalent proof of identity) - so that they can calculate duties and verify that you are the legitimate receiver. The other sections pertain to controlled goods or gifts. You have to pick up the parcel BEFORE November 24th, or it will be returned to sender!

In Germany, the customs office accepts printouts of the ebay and Paypal pages pertaining to the purchase, or a formal bill from the seller.

 

[Lauffray]

I'll translate the relevant parts to you:

"In order to proceed with customs clearance of the aforementioned package please provide by fax, email or postal mail the following documents:

- for a purchase: the commercial invoice and the proof of payment
(some info about arms, alcohol and antiquities which I'll skip)
- for a gift: a sworn statement declaring the true nature and value of the item


Important additional information:

- if you represent a company: (I'll skip this part)
- if you are an individual: please provide with your response whether the item is
a) delivered to your workplace on a personal basis
b) your personal effects (describe content and reason for shipment)


Without an answer by Nov 24 2015 your item will be returned to sender
Upon reception of your documents, if they are in order, a clearance procedure will be put in place for your item. After which it will be sent through the postal system and delivered to the address specified on the package"


Hope this helps, let us know if you need help with translating your reply

 

[mfogiel]

This says, that they want from you a proof of the purchase price - you can send them the link to the ebay transaction - they simply want to make sure the price has not been downrated for tax purposes. Another thing they ask, is if this is your "personal" stuff (option b) in which case you should describe what this is, or, option 'a" if this is something that will be delivered to your work address but is your personal item.
I'd answer in english, linking the ebay transactions and writing whatever else you think is relevant. Expect to pay "some" fees and taxes - my advice: next time buy from EU.

 

[Lauffray]

I'd answer in english...

Really ? In Paris ? And expect a friendly service ? 😛 😛

 

[guoshuo]

This says, that they want from you a proof of the purchase price - you can send them the link to the ebay transaction - they simply want to make sure the price has not been downrated for tax purposes. Another thing they ask, is if this is your "personal" stuff (option b) in which case you should describe what this is, or, option 'a" if this is something that will be delivered to your work address but is your personal item.
I'd answer in english, linking the ebay transactions and writing whatever else you think is relevant. Expect to pay "some" fees and taxes - my advice: next time buy from EU.

Just did it~

 

[Out to Lunch]

I hope that works. In the letter the douane is asking for 1. an invoice which provides a description of the goods/value of the goods, and 2. proof of payment. VAT in France is 20%.

 

[guoshuo]

May I ask if I could refund the TVA when I left France, shortly?

 

[Roger Hicks]

May I ask if I could refund the TVA when I left France, shortly?

In theory, if you are going outside the EU and if you haven't been in the EU too long, you should be able to. It's worth trying. Ask both the shipping company and the French customs.

Cheers,

R.