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Krefeld / Rhine-Ruhr. The main customs office in Krefeld provides information about the handling of mail
Also this year, Black Friday at the end of November heralds the hot phase of pre-Christmas online shopping and means high season for parcel senders and parcel services. What many online shoppers do not consider, however, is that if the desired parcel is sent from a non-EU country, customs are involved in a number of ways.
Because if the long-awaited sneakers or the latest smartphone are ordered from an online retailer in a third country, additional customs duties and import sales tax may apply. In the case of goods subject to consumer tax, such as alcohol, it may even be the case that consumption taxes may still have to be paid.
The following provisions apply to mail from a third country:
Goods value up to 22 euros: There are no customs duties and no import sales tax. Excise taxes, such as for alcohol or tobacco, are levied.
Goods value over 22 euros to 150 euros: The import sales tax (currently reduced from 19 to 16 percent or from 7 to 5 percent) and, if applicable, consumption taxes are levied.
Goods value over 150 euros: In addition to the import sales tax, there are also goods-related customs and, if applicable, consumption taxes.
If the parcel ends up at customs, the customer will find an information card from the post office in his mailbox, on which not only the customs office is indicated, where the shipment must be picked up within 7 days, but also which documents are to be brought for customs clearance.
Since February 2020, mail no longer has to be picked up personally at the customs office. Shipments up to a value of 1,000 euros can also be dispatched without appearing in person. Due to the corona pandemic, this mail service can be used from home in order to avoid further personal contact and to inhibit the spread of the virus.
Post and courier shipments from other EU member states can usually be received without customs formalities. However, if you order alcohol or tobacco from another EU country, you may have to pay taxes. In addition, certain import bans must also be observed here.
The mail can be cleared in the district of the main customs office in Krefeld at the customs offices of Neuss, Mönchengladbach, Krefeld-Uerdingen and Nettetal-Kaldenkirchen, which are responsible for each place of residence. More information as well as the contact details and opening times of all customs offices are available at www.zoll.de set.
So if you want to give presents for Christmas in a relaxed way, you should find out more in good time at Zoll.de or with the “Zoll und Post” app. (ots)
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