anyone w/experience purchasing toys from EU?

[loveswinter]

Hello mamas,

This is my first time posting here, but I've been a long time lurker :)  I'm wondering if anyone has purchased anything directly from an EU retailer and how this works w/taxes, etc.  I have found an online vendor, ostheimertoys.com from Germany, that has really great prices because they don't charge VAT to buyers outside the EU.  The shipping is (non-surprisingly) pricey, but it's still cost-effective for me if I place a big order.  My question is this:  will I get stuck with taxes on the other end somehow?  I would love to hear from anyone who has more experience than I do before I give them my credit card info...maybe it's too good to be true, lol?

My apologies if this is too off-topic!

Susan

Pac NW mama to 2 LO, 5y and soon to be 3y 

[JudiAU]

You won't have sales tax to pay (collected by states) but you will like have to be import duties via customs. In essence, you become the importer. The exterior of your package will label the value of your purchase (excluding shipping) and what it is and then are responsible for paying the duties. http://www.customs.gov/ .

I wouldn't bother if you can buy what you want in the US. Once you factor in shipping and duties, the prices are usually pretty similar to retailers. (but not always)

[loveswinter]

Thanks so much - that is what I suspected, but just wanted to confirm with those more experienced than I!

*sigh* I will go back to getting my ostheimer fix little bits at a time :)

[loveswinter]

An update.  I investigated further, because I am just curious like that :)

I actually called and inquired with US customs in my city.  The woman was surprisingly very helpful.  Turns out that there is NO duty on importing toys to the US, provided they are for personal (ie, not commercial) use.  The only downside is that the courier service may or may not take care of all the customs paperwork.  If they don't then it is up to me and I have to go pick up the package myself at the port.  This is not such a big deal for me, because the port is close by, but I can imagine for others it might be, if it's not in your town/city, etc.  They are mostly concerned with toy safety and identifying toys with lead, etc.  If I did have to go through this procedure, the most I would pay is $7-9.  If the value of the purchase is <$200, they don't get inspected at all, because it is just not worth their time

Anyway, I thought I would share the information in case others are interested.  I will be happy to post back and let you know how it goes!