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Original poster

To ask you you to help me send a parcel to Germany?

60 replies

Zitouna · 16/01/2022 12:54

Here for traffic. I sent a parcel to Germany in November - presents for my friend who has just had a baby. Sent via the post office, who checked all the forms for me.

It has just been returned to me - the only information is that it was refused by German customs due to ‘non-compliant postal item identifier’. Which I think means the customs form is wrong. But I’ve checked against the advice and can’t see anything wrong/missing.

I want to resend (quickly, because the baby will be too big for the things soon!) but don’t know what to do differently! If I send with a private courier (DHL?) will they advise me? Has anyone successfully sent presents to Germany from brexitland?

OP posts:
Original poster
Zitouna · 16/01/2022 14:38

It was a baby wrap sling and an all in one coat - I wrote baby carrier x 1 and baby clothes x 1.

Parcel has been opened so obviously inspected

OP posts:
whiteroseredrose · 16/01/2022 13:50

Watching with interest as PIL are now in Spain.

I've seen from the local Facebook page that this is happening a lot however careful you are with the forms. Parcels opened then returned to the UK.

Snowiscold · 16/01/2022 13:49

Yes, the recipient has to pay customs/handling charges, and these can be quite a lot.

ByStarlight · 16/01/2022 13:47

@ny20005 - yes, that’s correct. I should’ve given more details.

The experience we had that was one gift parcel didn’t have “gift” written on it, but did indeed have the descriptions, values and quantities of the contents. This one was withheld for customs fees/taxes. We paid them and received the parcel several weeks later - but the letter notifying us about the fees stated that if the tax wasn’t paid within a certain number of days, then the parcel would be returned to the sender. Other parcels that were sent that did have “child’s gift” written as well as the itemised contents info arrived straight with us, no extra customs fees or letter that the post was withheld.

Therefore I’m wondering if this is what happened to the OP’s parcel - withheld for customs taxes and the recipient either didn’t pay those in time or didn’t see the letter notification, and then it was returned to the OP?

Snowiscold · 16/01/2022 13:43

What did you send? It matters. Any foodstuffs / chocolate or body creams?

Natsku · 16/01/2022 13:43

What did you put on the form? Is it just baby clothes you're sending? In which case you need to write baby clothes gift and the value of them, probably best to list each item and its value separately to be on the safe side, and you need to make sure the recipient has the same list as they have to declare the parcel on their side and need to be putting the exact same information as you have put (surprises are impossible now thanks to Brexit)

EileenGC · 16/01/2022 13:40

Can you use DPD or DHL? Much quicker and cheaper in my experience, plus you can arrange collection from your house directly.

SilverHairedCat · 16/01/2022 13:39

What was on the customs declaration label? Did you send any foodstuffs?

ny20005 · 16/01/2022 13:38

It's not enough to write Childrens gift. You have to write exactly what the parcel contains & quantities.

ByStarlight · 16/01/2022 13:36

We are in Europe and have received parcels from family and friends when marked as “children’s gift” on the declaration form. Maybe this would help when you resend?