EU Tax Rule : Becareful Buying Stuff from America or Outside EU

Picture : Fedex Letter Regarding the Tax should I Pay

Last month I was happy to found that my shoes that ordered from California, arrived safely to the Hague, my resident city. It was quick and affordable I would say compare when I bought the same shoes to my country, Indonesia. FedEx clearly did their job very good and I was happy about that. Unfortunately, that happiness turned to be sorrow after a received a letter from FedEx a week after. What kind a of letter?

A letter called “Herinnering”, which is I don’t really understand what was that mean, even though I learn some Dutch, but still this new words for me. Anyway, the letter stated that I should pay some of the taxes considering my shoes purchassing from California, USA. Yikes!

I was really surprised after received that letter, so I called the FedEx customer service to look more information about the “money grabbing” letter. A good voice lady with a Dutch accent took the call and explain in details of what really the letter about. So she said that the EU have signed agreement recently that rule out of any online purchasing on other countries products outside of EU or in this matter product http://www.americansleepmedicine.com/ambien-insomnia-treatment/ imports from outside of EU should pay the levies to EU or in this matter, to the destination country.

So, basically, all the stuff that we purchase online from outside of the EU should pay the tax?

No, the lady said to me, it does not apply to “Gift” provided it doesn’t exceed more than 20 Euro. I mean seriously? what kind of gift worth less than 20 Euro? that doesn’t make sense at all. But anyway, she said that every product that we purchase online more than 20 Euro should pay the tax.

So how to calculate the tax? well, she doesn’t explain it to me on that and I cannot find more information about that one on the internet. So I just accept it anyway. and the amount of money I should pay is 19.75. Lord, that a lot of money for only 150 euro purchasing.

So how to pay the tax? go to Fedex.com/nl/dutyandtax and follow the instruction. They also provide more information about this tax if you want more. BTW , I cannot confirmed whether this apply to other shipment company like DHL etc. I assumed it apply all around EU, so it could be.

That’s it. I hope this information is useful.

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About the Author

Hi! I'm Obi, and I'm a traveller and writer who loves meeting new people and staying in different places. I've been travelling for years, and it's been an amazing way to learn about different cultures and ways of thinking. I'm always eager to meet new people, so feel free to hit me up!

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