Customs toward Italy for dolls?

Hello everyone! I'll make a proper introduction post later, but I have seen that there are a few Italian users on this forum and I'd need to have a bit of a clarification on customs fees. Here in Italy we have a fairly organized chart that explains what other taxes will be applied on top of 22% VAT for each category of items. However I do not understand if I am actually supposed to pay 22% VAT, plus a 4% added tax for the nature of the goods ("dolls representing human figures") plus a 4.7% extra fee for the country (HK). I have ordered under similar conditions before, although it wasn't dolls, and I don't remember ever having to pay a whopping 30.7% in taxes. Is this correct? Could any fellow Italian chime in and confirm this, based on previous orders you made?

Thank you!

On 3/3/2024 at 8:24 PM, Persiflage said:

Hello everyone! I'll make a proper introduction post later, but I have seen that there are a few Italian users on this forum and I'd need to have a bit of a clarification on customs fees. Here in Italy we have a fairly organized chart that explains what other taxes will be applied on top of 22% VAT for each category of items. However I do not understand if I am actually supposed to pay 22% VAT, plus a 4% added tax for the nature of the goods ("dolls representing human figures") plus a 4.7% extra fee for the country (HK). I have ordered under similar conditions before, although it wasn't dolls, and I don't remember ever having to pay a whopping 30.7% in taxes. Is this correct? Could any fellow Italian chime in and confirm this, based on previous orders you made?

Thank you!

In most of the European countries the same rules applies. I don’t know about the additional fee for HK. Does Italy has a boycott or penalty regarding HK?

You can use the following formula for calculating the amount of taxes you need to pay: Price including shipment x 1,04 x 1,22 - price including shipment = the maximum amount of taxes you have to pay. In my country dolls falls under toys which has a maximum of 4,7%. In reality the amount to pay is often lower than 4,7%. The reason is for me unknown. 

8 hours ago, Rajke said:

You can use the following formula for calculating the amount of taxes you need to pay: Price including shipment x 1,04 x 1,22 - price including shipment = the maximum amount of taxes you have to pay.

My go-to for imports was price including shipping x 0.26 + 15 but I'd like to have a confirmation.

Maybe @Testament knows the answer to this question?

Here I am... Well I buy from japan most of the time (Mandarake) and not from HK so I don't know if this apply. (edit... wait, where's FaithZ located? Edit2: HK, I see. But I've only bought body parts from them. I need to consult my files)

Anyway me and many friends in collecting hobby are always... Surprised by how taxation can vary case to case, even for the same item bought from different people.

My rule is to consider 22% of (Value + shipping) and add 5€ for documents handling (if done by Poste Italiane).

It's a good approximation. I don't have evidence of extra taxation based on the type of good, but I don't remember how much import was for my doll. Sorry for not being of much help.

Edited March 12, 2024 by Testament

I've just looked through my files (...yes, I've files about my collection) and I don't have anything relevant doll-side. At least not full doll.

 

I can make a recent example regarding Angel Philia Yuuna head (from Mandarake japan): value 97€, shipping 9,24€ (tot 106,24€) -> IVA 22% 23,37 €  = 129,61 €

I've paid 132,95€, so there are 3,34€ extra and I know at least a part of them is for documents handling (maybe 2,50?) but it's really complicated to address every €.

@Testament yeah I've been in a far less expensive market until recently, so I've never been wrong with 22% plus 5€. I am concerned this time because I'm paying a considerable sum and it's going to be delivered via express courier (I think FedEX or DHL, not sure which). I am covered for the worst case scenario, but I wanted to know just to avoid surprises - as you said the guys at customs do get pretty creative with taxation.

Lol yes.

 

Unfortunately... DHL it's another world entirely ><.

During COVID months, DHL was the only choice from mandarake cause PP, Air, EMS was suspended. I learned to hate them during that period.

They are super efficient in collecting customs duties, they send you emails with links to pay etc, all well before the package arrives in Italy, to facilitate customs clearance.

To do this they take the trouble to pay the customs fees in advance, but then they ask you for an additional fee for the service (in addition to having shocking shipping costs).

Let's take an example: A pair of thighs for my doll, €38.87 + €25.74 shipping (gasp) = €64.61 total

charges due: €30.70...

 

Fortunately, the Air Sp, EMS and Air Parcel services are now back in operation.

 

I only had a package delivered through FedEX so far and I paid in cash upon receiving it. I think their fee was some extra 15€. In this case I wouldn't complain about that as it's not the fixed fees I'm worrying about. Everything else I ordered so far was sent through Air Parcel and national posts but it was all stuff worth 200€ or less. I'm definitely pretty nervous about having that much cash at stake in cross-continental transit and checking through customs, but we'll see. At least I'm only going to have to wait a few days instead of the usual month.

Edited March 12, 2024 by Persiflage

🤞fingers crossed

Edited March 13, 2024 by Testament