Postage to EU (VAT)...?

[Heycharger 0]

Has anyone had issues sending a canopy to the EU, Belgium, from a non EU country? I would have though that as an essential piece of safety equipment, it may be exempt to any local taxes, VAT?

[IJskonijn 45]

I'm not familiar with belgian tax law, but one border north (the Netherlands) we have to pay tax and import duty on pretty much anything coming in from outside the EU. So I wouldn't bet on a 0% tax rate because it is "essential safety equipment".

[pilot.eric 0]

You could try getting it send marked as "gift" thus avoiding import tax. This works for me when ordering Outdoor Gear from New Zealand to NL....

[piisfish 140]

Taxes are paid by the receiver not the sender. Good luck with Belgian post. Try some UPS/FedEx or other. 

[Matija 7]

When using UPS/DHL and such, there's no excuses for customs and import taxes. They are big names and you'll definitely get charged.
I would say that best option would be to send it using national post office and on the package specifying it's value way less than it really is. That way, you at least have the chance of being charged percentage of package specified value and not the actual retail value.

[drdm 2]

Haven't shipped a canopy, but have shipped a harness... It counts as sporting equipment, not essential safety equipment (same way a climbing rope or a bicycle helmet, for example, is sporting equipment). Gonna have to either suck it up, or risk problems at customs.

Edited October 6, 2020 by drdm

[Travman 6]

Can't speak for Belgium but we definately get charged VAT on canopies shipping to UK.

[firebirdusa 2]

Use HS Code 8404 00 00, it's a 3% flat fee for import. Now the VAT is local and will have to be paid unless you lie on your invoice

[piisfish 140]

On 10/5/2020 at 12:57 PM, Heycharger said:

Has anyone had issues sending a canopy to the EU, Belgium, from a non EU country? I would have though that as an essential piece of safety equipment, it may be exempt to any local taxes, VAT?

from which country are you sending ? 

[Heycharger 0]

On 10/9/2020 at 8:03 AM, piisfish said:

from which country are you sending ? 

nah its all good mate. Sorted now. Thanks. 

[Matija 7]

On 10/14/2020 at 7:57 AM, Heycharger said:

nah its all good mate. Sorted now. Thanks. 

Well... keep us posted. What was the outcome? :)

[Heycharger 0]

11 hours ago, Matija said:

Well... keep us posted. What was the outcome? :)

Sent a canopy to Belgium (EU) and there was an additional incoming tax that the recipient was unaware of. Hence the reason it took so long to clear customs.