Customs issues with Kickstarter pledge rewards- how to resolve?

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**JohnHwangDD**

@OP, you might find this to be interesting reading:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/madoverlord/bubblegum-crisis-ultimate-edition-blu-ray-set/posts/1116416

Precision German Tax Engineering

The German Customs service was both precise (93% of backers got charged) and pedantic (81% of backers had to provide extra documentation). While the fees averaged about 21%, the extra efficiency meant that the average customs cost was $12.08.

Apparently, the difference between the Germans and the British is that the Germans take a pound of flesh from everyone, while the British take a kilo from every other person.

It's a very funny article, and the national character really shines through. Good stuff.

Also, Mark is correct on German Customs charging on freight:

First, in Germany we don't pay handling fees or other additional fees. Second, shipping is also subject to VAT.
0€ - 22€ - Customs Duty or VAT do not apply (free).
22,01€ - 150€ - Only VAT (19%) applies.
150€+ Customs Duty (*) and VAT (19%) have to be paid.

**JohnHwangDD**

DaveC wrote:
Da Boss wrote:
The Irish customs have never caught any package I've had sent like that AFAIK. Yet more national stereotyping at work, I wonder. When I worked at one of the Irish ports they were never there when the boats came in anyhow.

They'll get you the odd time

According to the article, Irish Customs were flagging 1/3 for extra duties.

**JohnHwangDD**

It it really were that easy, then everybody would do it, and there wouldn't be any issues. Everything would be smooth and quick, and we'd know it by the results.

The reality is that, for most Americans, setting up European delivery isn't that easy. That's what available evidence seems to show.