Do I have to pay import duties from USA to Hungary? (EU)?

Question

Hello Everyone,

I have some friends in the US, and I've just thought about buying something online in the US, and ship the product to my friends in the States... and then, they would send me those goods via (Air)Mail to the European Union, Hungary.

So, my question is:

Do I have to, and if so, how much would I pay for import duties?

(for example: a $1000 drum set :) or computer parts about the same value...)

Thank You very very much for answering! ;)

Answer 1

I don't know if or how the high value of the item influences the answer; my experience is with packages less than a tenth that valuable.

My cousin and I have a standing arrangement, where she orders clothing and similar things online, and has them shipped to me, while I buy books online, and have them shipped to her. We each then mail the packages, marked as "gift", to each other. (I'm in the U.S., she's in Hungary.) Neither of us has to pay any import or export duties.

Answer 2

If you would be shipping them by mail, and it's not really business, you would have to check a box "gift" when filling out customs declaration. In that case a receiver of a package does not have to pay tax.

You would not have to pay export tax. General rule is that countries are more interested into export than import. Therefore they create import taxes in order to "protect" local market. However, if you are sending things as a "gift" there are no taxes  you would have to pay. Even if you mail something to a different country, you as a sender do not pay taxes. It might be different for established import/export businesses. Where things are being shipped in large quantities. But it's not your case. Just make sure that you check a correct box. The same goes to your friends. They will not have to pay export tax. But they would still have to send things to you as a gift. Otherwise you'll end up paying taxes.

If you are planning to start legitimate business you can get advice at closest Trade Center.