SSD - cost of sending to germany from US?

RabbitWizzard

I was wondering how much it costs to ship the super star destoyer to germany. It's 400€ here, 400$ in the US. 400 Euro = 535,64 US-Dollar
Looks like i save something if shipping is less than 135$. Who can help me with this?

MrBerre

It's not just shipping costs. I'd be surprised if a package so large wouldn't get apprehended by customs, and once they add the import duty you'll likely have paid more than €400.

LegoFanTexas

It could be marked as a gift. If it really is a gift, is there still an import duty?

Don't know, just asking...

Duchessa

Hmm.. interesting idea. In Sweden, the SSD is 4300 SEK = 460€ = $615.

I'll follow this thead with interest :)

boba_jagoda2

Sometimes, they let it slide, but usually the parcels end up in the customs.

Technically, for everything over 22€ you have to pay 19% taxes (this includes shipping).
Over 150€, also some customs costs up to 14%.

With gifts above 150€ you have to pay 17,5%, but sellers usually won't lie, and officers require a bill and similar.

So, if the parcel gets stuck in the customs office, and you paid 400€ for it,
additional e.g. 22% is 88€ + 14% is 56€ -> 400+88+56=544€
I'm not sure about how they calculate the customs costs, but this should be near the worst-case scenario (this is for Germany).

RabbitWizzard

Ah, yes, customs....i totally forgot. I remember paying a high percentage for a package with tshirts once...ok, so this isn't such a good idea.
Marking it as a gift may work, but i don't like the risk of having to fill out dozens of forms......
Thanks for your input. Maybe i just move to the USA. Anyone need a computer guy for his business?

drdavewatford

UK's the same - if the item is sent from outside the EU you get hit with 20% sales tax unless the item cost almost nothing, and customs duty as well on slightly higher priced items. Plus the Post Office charge to collect the tax from you..... The SSD would attract all these 3 charges, unless the sender lies about the value on the customs form, in which case you'll either get away with it or you won't. I wouldn't personally advise it, but each to their own.

No item valued over the threshold seems to get through unmolested these days. Anyone would think there's a recession on....

bahnstormer

import duty in germany is 19% VAT PLUS an extra 4,7 % takes on "injection moulded" items PLUS a small percentage for the fat fingered donut munchers writing you an invoice, easily 25%.

oh and you have to pay that on the price of the item AND the postage - gotta thank the EU for that one...

once you factor in US postage , it is cheaper to buy from Lego UK than Lego USA - check difference on death star!

Silber334

Omg, I just checked the local prices and we pay at least 53,350 yen for the ssd ( taxes incl )! What's more, it's not officially sold in Japan and has to be imported through a distributor. Definitely not a place to import legos from, is it?
Talk about rip off!

RabbitWizzard

it is cheaper to buy from Lego UK than Lego USA - check difference on death star!

To late for the death star ;) But the differences in pricing are really strange...
Well, thanks, at least i maybe can save a few bucks ordering in the UK in the future :)

Redbullgivesuwind

not really the exchange rate isnt terrible but if you wanted the SSD you'd end up paying 409.34 in exchange rate. Of course thats a good rate at the moment it depends if Greece go down :-D