Customs/DHL charge of $10 on $20 book from the USA

[john_b]

This was a perennial topic on the old Toytown.

I recently ordered a paperback book priced at $20 (including postage and packing) from the US, and just received notice from DHL that it will be delivered tomorrow, however including "Einfuhrabgaben i.H.v. 8,74€ (inkl. 7,50€ Auslagepauschale, inkl. MWSt.)". ($20 is approximately €18-19).

The EU abolished the €22 VAT exemption for online imports back in July 2021, so now all goods from non‑EU countries—including books—are subject to import VAT regardless of value  .

However books enjoy a reduced MWSt rate of 7% in Germany. The book totals less than €22, so 7% MWSt on that would be under €1.60. Customs doesn’t (normally) collect VAT below about €5, so the amount should be too small to trigger any charges. However in this case they appear to have levied a charge of €1,24 which then incurs the "Auslagepauschale".

Yes, I know I should just pay up and not waste my time chasing up the €8,74, but is there a straightforward way I can do this online? Any leads appreciated...

[Franklan]

The "Einfuhrabgabe" is what you have to pay to customs.
The "Auslagepauschale" of 7,50€ is the fee that DHL charges for handling this for you. And those 1,24€ are the 19% MwSt on those 7,5€ that you have to pay, too.

[john_b]

The "Einfuhrabgabe" is what you have to pay to customs.
The "Auslagepauschale" of 7,50€ is the fee that DHL charges for handling this for you. And those 1,24€ are the 19% MwSt on those 7,5€ that you have to pay, too.

I calculate it differently

$20 = €17,43 at today's exchange rate of 0,8712 EUR; 7% MWSt for books (not 19%) = €1,22 (or as they calculate €1,24).

Add to that the DHL handling fee ("Auslagepauschale") of €7,50 to get the full sum payable (in cash only!!)

To answer my own question, it seems that Zoll are (legitimately) pursuing such a tiny sum, even though it is way below their supposed threshold of €5.

From my perspective, I'll end up having to fork out just over $10 on a $20 book

[kiplette]

Yeah, we've started asking family not to send parcels over. If they forget to tick 'gift' you get the Zoll and then DHL charge you for refusing (in my case) to deliver the parcel anyway. So annoying.

[Fraufruit]

I'm very curious to know the name of the book.

[john_b]

Here you go - Eternal Current Events by Chris Marker - ordered almost 2 years ago! So despite everything, I'll just be glad when it finally gets here.

https://mitpress.mit.edu/9781965874004/ ... nt-events/