What is the best way to send a package to Germany without causing the receiver any fees?

Question

What is the best way to send a package to Germany without causing the receiver any customs fees?

Next month is my friends birthday. She lives in Germany, I live in the U.S.

I want to send her a package, and I know you can only send €45,00 (about $60.00) worth of stuff before it gets taxed, one item alone is worth $15.00.

I want to put everything in a gift box and put tissue paper on the bottom, is it possible to declare these things as "gifts" so that she won't have to pay taxes, in case it exceeds €45,00?

Answer 1

I send packages to Germany all the time.  Take it right to the post office.  You will need to fill out a custom's form where they ask you what is in the package, if it's a gift and how much it's worth.  They will weigh it and tell you how much it will cost.

You used to be able to send packages by surface mail, which took up to 6-8 weeks to get there but was way less expensive than 1st class.   Now, however, since the last postage increase, they have done away with surface mail.  Be prepared to pay a good buck to send it.  I've had things cost more to mail than I paid for them.

I don't know what you are talking about when you say she will have to pay taxes on them.  I've been sending and receiving things from Germany for years and have never heard of this.

Answer 2

You should try to FedEx the gift! I've heard lots of people do that now!

Answer 3

Hi! I am German living in Germany. My husband's grandma occasionally sends packages. I never had any problems because she always declared everything as gifts. I had to pay customs once on an order from eBay. The guy who shipped the items (3 t-shirts) had declared the package as merchandise. That was a mistake:(

Answer 4

I received many times packages from the US and send it to US also didn't pay any taxes. Just fill the form by the US Post Office listed what is in and how much you pay for the items, estimate, that's all.

Answer 5

You should send these things via DHL, they have a connection with the German Post Office, and therefore delivery is fast.  Unfortunately you have to declare the contents of the package and its value any time you send stuff internationally. That leaves you two choices to avoid taxation.  1.  Lie, and say it is worth only 45 Euro (more than $60 now I think) or send it as separate packages.

FedEX is another option.  Not overnight, but two or three day FedEx.