Dutch mn, what would be good to send from UK?

[steppemum]

dh is Dutch, and we last saw his family for new year 2020.
We were planning to go for new year 2022, but have now abandoned this idea.

I thought I'd like to send a small package to the family(ies). One pack for each one. Kids are pre-teen and teen. Plus very elderly father.

It is a kerst paket, but NOT a Christmas present if that makes sense and they don't do christmas presents.
I was thinking about some English biscuits/chocolates. Maybe some soap from Lush or something like that.

Any suggestions?
What would you like to receive from the UK ?

OK, point taken.

I'll look at ordering something in country to send to them
Thank you

I've just had a thought op ...Marks and Spencer parcels seem to be getting through without problems , as are Next things, but you have to go on to the M&S and Next websites in Holland , but it is clothing/homeware not food. But there might be something in there that might be suitable? Maybe something from their Christmas selection although I know you are not sending Christmas gifts specifically. Good luck!

it really is such a scam.

I am 100% sure they don't do this for every parcel eg from the States.
It is an EU making a point thing.

As I said, we have lived overseas in many places. Parcels are part of life. The only time you get this nonsense is when people are looking for a bribe.

And it isn't the same the other way. As I said we have had a Sinterklaas parcel from NL, arrived no problem, no extra taxes/customs etc, as it is gift under £39 it just arrived in normal post.

The British Corner shop - link above - does M&S food items.

@Lacesaskew

OK, point taken.

I'll look at ordering something in country to send to them
Thank you

I've just had a thought op ...Marks and Spencer parcels seem to be getting through without problems , as are Next things, but you have to go on to the M&S and Next websites in Holland , but it is clothing/homeware not food. But there might be something in there that might be suitable? Maybe something from their Christmas selection although I know you are not sending Christmas gifts specifically. Good luck!

if you order form their NL site it is classed as ordering inside the EU.

I might just go to a Dutch florist and send them all flowers, or to Hema and send them choccies etc that way.

I was really looking forward to making a little box and putting a little message on each thing

bloody Brexit.

Thats a good tip MissAmbrosia sorry I missed that earlier!

I am 100% sure they don't do this for every parcel eg from the States.
It is an EU making a point thing.

they do for all third countries since july 2021. unfortunately uk is now a third country thank to brexit.

The Dutch apply the taxes really arbitrarily, so actually they are at risk of paying taxes. I've already had to pay tax on 3 personal parcels from the UK, and the taxes exceeded the value of the gift every time.

if you order form their NL site it is classed as ordering inside the EU.

That's what you want though isn't it op, or have I misunderstood?

I agree with you on the "bloody Brexit" point though! It is the important personal touches that are being lost.

Gift wise, my mum sent us a bottle of English whiskey from www.drankgigant.nl and they have lots of British spirits. Fortum & Mason are good at shopping globally but you pay through the nose for it. M&S stuff gets through but there's not much point sending chocolate because, honestly, we share a border with Belgium so why would we want British chocolate!

@Lacesaskew

if you order form their NL site it is classed as ordering inside the EU.

That's what you want though isn't it op, or have I misunderstood?

I agree with you on the "bloody Brexit" point though! It is the important personal touches that are being lost.

yes sorry, I was just pointing out that that was why they were getting through.

@purplesequins

*I am 100% sure they don't do this for every parcel eg from the States. It is an EU making a point thing.*

they do for all third countries since july 2021. unfortunately uk is now a third country thank to brexit.

I am pretty sure they have a limit, like the UK, where small gift parcels under certain price do not need to go through the customs palava. It is their choice to tax every parcel, and as it is not applied consistently, I would say it is not actually the regulations.

As I said, parcels posted from NL to UK, fall into this category, and don't gte taxed, or required custom payment.

yes sorry, I was just pointing out that that was why they were getting through.

Ah yes, indeed!,

about the Belgian chocs!

Is it definitely true that parcels from EU to UK are not attracting the same charges? I would love to know for sure because I'd like to send my family presents other than vouchers. But I had heard there were problems both ways.

I am pretty sure they have a limit, like the UK, where small gift parcels under certain price do not need to go through the customs palava.

this was scrapped in the eu in July as the low value vat exemptions were misused by online retailers.

They don't bother with the limit, it seems to be completely random. My mum sent me a £2 coaster because it made her laugh. Until it got €7 of taxes and I had to go into town to pick it up from the central depot. She was very apologetic. A parcel of Germolene then got through fine and we expected that to be confiscated, and 2 other parcels have completely disappeared! It's a pain in the bum at the moment

British corner shop moved their warehouse to the EU after Brexit so they will be a good bet but they're expensive

I'd give up OP and just send a card 😂😂

@Justcallmebebes

I'd give up OP and just send a card 😂😂

yes, think that's the plan now!

This shop has lots of British things.

www.kellys-expat-shopping.nl/en/

You can also order from Next in the NL. Most Dutch people don't know about Next, so they don't order. It's shipped from within Europe so no taxes and it arrives quickly. I think you were looking for other types of things, but just an FYI!

I think one reason it annoys me is that I can go and buy thinkgs for £1 and put a personal note on.

Or order from specialist shops and it costs £££ and is impersonal

@steppemum the government has not triggered import duties on incoming goods from Europe yet, they keep delaying it because they know it will not be popular with the public as it will lead to even more price rises and shortages of goods from Europe.

We lived in Netherlands for 17 years - practically everything in biscuit/chocolate line is nicer over there in the first place. They have Lush stores. Id go tea bags and maybe a Christmas tree ornament of a typical UK thing.

My Dutch in-laws love a British curry so I have sent them curry pastes, mango chutney lime pickle before. They also love British tea

My dh, also Dutch, has sent posh tea in tins from F&M/Harrods and they have gone down well but requires a trip into London or F&M delivery.

My Dutch relatives always stock up with industrial quantities of Cadburys, cheddar and cider when they come over or we visit them. However, no use with the stupid lack of Brexit planning thanks to our useless government.

We live in Germany and it's been around 50/50 for us with charges and when we do have to pay then it's only been a few Euro. I'd send a parcel.

Can't be 100% sure what's different between Germany and Netherlands but these are things we enjoy getting that are a bit different.

Character socks/undies from UK supermarkets
Fish n chips crisps
Twiglets, Skips, quavers, Monster Munch
Pot noodles
Silly little sweets from UK supermarkets e.g. fried eggs, gummy teeth, strawberry laces
Tea bags (but I think tea is restricted)
Whatever silly toys are in for UK kids but that aren't universal
English language comics
English children's books
English puzzle books (these three only if the children can speak English)
Funky stationery - Smiggle maybe? Or paperchase.

They have lush here in Germany but maybe boots toiletries? I'm not really into that stuff, probably there are local equivalents.