Paleonet: Posting specimens UK to EU

[Michael Hesemann]

Dear Lucy,

I live in Germany and frequently receive microfossil and sand samples 
from the UK of up to 200g. The declaration "gift" value 0 € works fine. 
The other safe option is to send it with tracking, which costs with 
British Mail about 3x the standard price. UPS, Fedex ... also do the job 
at an even higher price.

If the sender declares "scientific sample" the German customs do not 
know how to tax it and put it on hold for 14 days. I receive a written 
note and need to go to a special customs facility and the parcel will be 
opened and assessed. The resukt is usually 0 € value no import VAT. This 
may involve travelling to such a customs facility, as there are not so many.

The reason for that is the massive VAT fraud for commercial items. Goods 
expecially from China come into the EU to the customer without VAT being 
paid. It may help to put the recipients telefon on the outside, so that 
customs may call.

Michael


Am 2023-10-19 um 9:45 AM schrieb Lucy Muir:
>
> Dear all,
>
> This is mostly a question for UK-based paleonetters. I have just found 
> out that a parcel of fossil specimens that I tried to send from the UK 
> to Spain has been returned - for the second time. One of my colleagues 
> has had a box of specimens rejected by Portuguese customs, so this is 
> not just me. I assume that this is something to do with changes in 
> customs after Brexit. Can anyone give any advice on sending specimens 
> from the UK so that they will actually reach their destination?
>
> Additional information, in case it's useful: I filled in a customs 
> form saying that the contents were "Geological specimens for study" 
> and giving a value of £1. (I put this value in on the advice of Post 
> Office staff - at the first attempt I had said that the value was £0.)
>
> I would like to go to Spain on holiday, but it seems a little 
> ridiculous to have to do that in order to hand over some fossils...
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Lucy
>
>
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