Help avoiding VAT when shipping Personal effects to Europe

[Wanted]

Hi, I am about to use an "extra baggage" courier to send a whole bunch of my personal motorcycle gear to France. I have $10,000 AUD worth of motorcycle gear I am sending, from Pants, Jacket, Helmet through to my disc locks, auxiliary lights, all my winter riding gear etc. How do I avoid paying the 20% VAT and duty on arrival in France, all my gear is over 2 years old, I have receipts for everything but it seems these places are hellbent on f*%#ing you with VAT. It would cost me $2000 if they decide to charge me. Anyone have experience in shipping personal goods?

Thanks

[Arma]

I'd say you could take one of two approaches. If you send it listed as a gift they probably won't pay it any attention, I get plenty of stuff from overseas and if the gift box is ticked I've never had to pay VAT either in the UK or Germany, I guess France is similar. Even obviously commercial products from China...

The powers that be seem to be more concerned with getting companies to do the paperwork properly than inspecting packets.

Or you could declare everything on the packet, just put on a note in French explaining that you are shipping your used moto gear for a tour and will ship it back when done. Include copies of the receipts inside.

Or go for a mix of the two, say nothing on the package, mark it as a gift and hope it all goes through uninspected, but include a polite note inside with copies of receipts.

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

[Warin]

Why are you sending all your stuff?

Are you settling in France? If so there is usually some exemption for 'personal effects'. Contact the embassy.

[Wanted]

It's all very confusing - I am heading on a RTW trip, my motorcycle is already in France waiting for me. I am in New Zealand visiting family now. I have to ship all my motorcycle gear to France, which is currently in Australia. I am getting my brother to ship my motorcycle gear from Australia to France, to meet me in 1 week when I fly from NZ to France.

I have currently packed everything in 2 boxes, and provided receipts showing the purchase date is 2-3 years old on all products. Some things like Auxiliary spot lights I bought in Australia a year ago but never took out of the original packaging as I went to backpack around Europe, so these are being sent in their packaging, however are still older than the 6 month requirement for used goods.

I have written a cover letter in both French and English explaining I am on a motorcycle expedition and all my items are over the minimum 6 months old, are all personal goods, and none of it will remain in France as I will be leaving for Africa shortly after.

If they hit me with 20% VAT, I'll be up for $2000 AUD in tax alone. I'm nervous as f%#$, but I am at a loss as to what to do. It says gifts are limited to a value of like 45 euro, my gear comes close to 6000 euro..... fml

[Warin]

Me;

I would leave out any non standard lights. The advice is not to ride at night. Any if your thinking of daytime visibility .. if they cannot see a big red fire truck with lights and siren they are not going to see you no matter what you do.

The shipper will charge you by weight and volume.
I would buy a new helmet there - less chance of damage and you get a new hat - more choice than you can buy here. Disk locks are heavy .. new one there? How much are they charging.. and how much can you 'save' by not shipping it? Think about it. Shipping is not cheap. And I have waited on stuff that did not arrive when expected... in one case I purchased another one to do my journey as it did not arrive in time!


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Message for next time (or others reading this).
Put the stuff on the motorcycle. Disk locks, lights etc etc. Those are 'part of the bike'. Less clear on motorcycle clothing -they can be tricky on this.

[Wanted]

I have $10k worth of motorcycle gear, I'm not going to just sell it second hand and buy it all again, I'd much rather spend $1500 flying back to Australia and taking it all as hand luggage. But either way, I would prefer to know outright that France won't charge me VAT, that is all I want to know. Does France charge VAT on personal effects older than 6 months, if the owner is not relocating

[Fern]

Originally Posted by Warin

Me;

I would leave out any non standard lights. The advice is not to ride at night. Any if your thinking of daytime visibility .. if they cannot see a big red fire truck with lights and siren they are not going to see you no matter what you do.

When I rebuild my bike for the next couple of continents, extra lighting is the one thing I avoided for the reason you gave, but will be changing. The times you are stuck on the road at night are the very nights you really bloody need it, the road has turned to a muddy track or dusty desert, you are tired, and the stock standard light is as much use as a chocolate fireguard.



Also you can take your helmet as handluggage on most airlines.