Landed at the zoll amt (customs) and I have to pay the 16%+something of the total cost. I do not know what to do now.
Neither do I have the reciept/bill for it.
Posted by Mary Dennis on November 22, 2006 at 7:35 AM
Geez this is getting complicated. Not sure how to proceed at this point Prashant. Do you have to have a receipt in hand to verify the value of the camera? I really don't understand the process here at all....some things end up stuck in customs and some don't? Who decides? I would guess that Mark Hobson has a receipt for the camera.
Mary,
even though I get the receipt (which should be about 200Euro something) why should I pay for a camera which will not be mine to keep (about 40Euro). I told the customs officer about it in plain german, showed him the printouts from NPN and from his expressions he seemed unsure of whether to 'bill' me but remained adamant. Me saying 'typical' (after long discussions and frustration) did not help the matter much.
Posted by Jim Jirka on November 22, 2006 at 9:05 AM
I put on the customs documents that it was a digital camera for an art project. I thought this way it would not be subjected to problems that taxable purchases usually are.
Jim,
Where is this document? Is it with the package? inside?
Posted by Mary Dennis on November 22, 2006 at 9:20 AM
I agree that you shouldn't have to pay to get the camera out of customs when you will not be keeping it. (40Euro=about 50 US dollars?) What alternatives are there?
What alternatives are there?>>
the office said: either you send it back or pay the money. And that is really typical german 'official' langauge from my experience.
Posted by Jim Jirka on November 22, 2006 at 9:51 AM
The document was in a clear pouch on the outside of the box, like a packing list usually comes in. It is placed there for accessability.
okokok.
Good news. It is cleared by the customs. I will get the camera on Friday though. Not bad as I might not have been able to use it anyway till weekend.
Long story:
I'm proud of my ability to deal with German buerocrats. 5 years back when Teju (my wife) came here the first time the lady at the local townhall said : Get the marriage certificate in German, this is in English. (consulate in India had asked for English version ). After about a week I decided to go again but at the other counter. This time teju was in traditional indian attire (a punjabee chudidaar against jeans and a T-shirt for the earlier visit). This other lady was so much interested in the attire that she did not even check the english version. Now I have nothing against translated documents but any paperwork in Germany takes 'ages'.
I decided to use a similar trick and went at 5:00 (closing time) in the evening again but this time carefully chose another 'window'. This fellow said : gimme your 15$ paypal printout and sign here. But you have to come on Friday there is nobody to get your parcel (which was perhaps in a room nearby but thats fine as i said before).
Ye, am really proud.
Wait for some photos from 'my world' at the gallery soon.
Posted by Jim Jirka on November 22, 2006 at 10:45 AM
Good news Prashant. Will be waiting for your pics.
Posted by Jim Erhardt on November 22, 2006 at 11:43 AM
Oh, the joys of dealing with customs. Good to hear it all worked out!
Posted by Mary Dennis on November 22, 2006 at 1:23 PM
Great news Prashant! Sounds like you need to be quick and clever in dealing with the customs people. Look forward to seeing your images!
Posted by Basil Greber on November 22, 2006 at 5:09 PM
Now that you master German bureaucracy, you should try the Swiss version. Another challenge, for sure...
Discussion
13 repliesNeither do I have the reciept/bill for it.
even though I get the receipt (which should be about 200Euro something) why should I pay for a camera which will not be mine to keep (about 40Euro). I told the customs officer about it in plain german, showed him the printouts from NPN and from his expressions he seemed unsure of whether to 'bill' me but remained adamant. Me saying 'typical' (after long discussions and frustration) did not help the matter much.
Where is this document? Is it with the package? inside?
the office said: either you send it back or pay the money. And that is really typical german 'official' langauge from my experience.
Good news. It is cleared by the customs. I will get the camera on Friday though. Not bad as I might not have been able to use it anyway till weekend.
Long story:
I'm proud of my ability to deal with German buerocrats. 5 years back when Teju (my wife) came here the first time the lady at the local townhall said : Get the marriage certificate in German, this is in English. (consulate in India had asked for English version
I decided to use a similar trick and went at 5:00 (closing time) in the evening again but this time carefully chose another 'window'. This fellow said : gimme your 15$ paypal printout and sign here. But you have to come on Friday there is nobody to get your parcel (which was perhaps in a room nearby but thats fine as i said before).
Ye, am really proud.
Wait for some photos from 'my world' at the gallery soon.
Basil
Pete D.