Expecting a parcel from abroad?
You may have to pay a customs clearance fee
Customs Clearance
Letterbox packets and parcels from countries outside the European Union are customs-cleared, for which you pay a customs clearance fee. In the Netherlands, TNT Post has been designated by the government to make customs declarations for your consignment(s).
During the clearance procedure it is determined whether customs duty, VAT and/or other import duties have to be paid for the letterbox packets and parcels. If so, an invoice and giro payment card are created. When the letterbox packets or parcels are delivered, the amounts are collected in cash or on account.
How does it work?
During the clearance procedure it is determined whether customs duty, VAT and/or other import duties have to be paid for the letterbox packets and parcels. If so, an invoice and giro payment card are created. When the letterbox packets or parcels are delivered, the amounts are collected in cash or on account.
If you do not wish to pay the amount you must refuse the consignment as soon as it is delivered by TNT Post. The consignment is then returned at once to the sender or destroyed, depending on the sender’s stated preference.
How much is the fee?
Total customs duty, VAT and/or other import duties are €12,50 (as of 01/01/2009)
Customs can inform you precisely about which goods are liable to customs duty, VAT and other import duties. You can find more information at www.douane.nl
FAQ
Why do I have to pay the customs clearance fee?
You have received a consignment from outside the European Union (or in certain cases from inside the European Union) which is liable to customs duty, VAT and/or other import duties. In the Netherlands, TNT Post has been designated by the government to make customs declarations for your consignment(s) and then to collect from you the customs duty, VAT and other import duties payable on it/them. This process is called customs clearance. In addition to the customs duty, VAT and other import duties payable, you will be charged a contribution towards the costs of this administrative process: this is the customs clearance fee.
The sender has already paid the postage; why do I now also have to pay a customs clearance fee?
In many countries customs clearance is performed by the local customs office and not by the postal service. Under Dutch customs legislation, customs clearance in the Netherlands is performed by TNT Post. The costs of doing this are not included in the postage costs paid by the sender. You as the addressee are therefore charged a contribution towards the costs, a practice that has been common with other international carriers for some time.
Is this a method for TNT Post to obtain more money?
No. In the Netherlands, TNT Post has been designated by the government to make customs declarations for your consignment(s) and to collect from you the customs duty, VAT and/or other import duties payable on it/them. TNT Post incurs additional costs for doing this, which are not included in the postage costs paid by the sender. You as the addressee are therefore asked to pay a contribution towards the costs.
