Buying from Switzerland

Hello, I wanted to buy a collectible item, rather expensive (>1000€) from Switzerland and have it shipped to Italy. Until now, I have bought several times from non-EU countries (USA, UK, Australia) without any problem, paying the import taxes separately all at once at the time of payment, in a single solution.

Is it possible to do the same thing for a shipment from Switzerland too? Let me explain better: can I ask the Swiss seller to calculate the import taxes himself so I can pay everything in one go with electronic payment?

Because at the moment he is not offering me this option: I would like to understand whether he cannot do it or whether he does not want to do it. Because the alternative, if I understood correctly, is having to pay cash upon delivery, which I absolutely want to avoid (I want the package delivered to my workplace, and obviously the receptionist can't shell out the money to the courier!).

Thanks.

muniz_of_the_universe

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Posted 3 years ago·Last reply 3 years ago

2 comments

heavenwelkin

·3 years ago

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@muniz_of_the_universe wrote:
Hello, I wanted to buy a collectible item, rather expensive (>1000€), from Switzerland and have it delivered to Italy. Until now, I have bought several times from non-EU countries (USA, UK, Australia) without any problem, paying the import taxes all together at the time of payment, in a single transaction.

Is it possible to do the same thing for a shipment from Switzerland? Let me explain better: can I ask the Swiss seller to calculate the import taxes himself so I can pay everything in a single solution with electronic payment?

Because at the moment he is not offering me this option: I want to understand whether he can't do it or doesn't want to do it. Because the alternative, if I understand correctly, is having to pay cash upon delivery, which I absolutely want to avoid (I want to have the package delivered to my workplace, and obviously the receptionist can't shell out the money to the courier!).

Thanks.

Good evening

The procedures are standardized and there aren't any major changes that can be made.

The seller must fill out a customs declaration attaching one of his documents.

Then he must fill out a free export declaration

Then he must attach proof of purchase (a sales invoice) and usually the PayPal invoice or the eBay invoice is attached.

Based on that price, the relative import taxes are paid.

Import taxes which amount to 22% VAT and another roughly 4% in customs duties.

On 1000 euros, calculate around 260/280 euros that you have to pay the courier upon delivery, or if you use UPS or DHL or some other SERIOUS courier you can also pay online immediately after customs clearance.

Kind regards.

sika700

·3 years ago

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Hello,

Switzerland does not use GSP (Global Shipping Program), so all fees and duties must be paid to the courier.

Some couriers... if I remember correctly, maybe DHL... send an email with the option to pay electronically, before delivery... but I'm not sure, it's been a long time since I used it...

Best regards.