So, I sold and shipped a set of the blue book manuals in early October to a fellow member living in Malaga, Spain. Filled out the Customs declarations form clearly, with a declared value of $300 and labeling the contents as used car repair manuals. It was also insured for the stated value.
USPS and the Spanish post offices did their jobs in a speedy manner respectively, with the parcel arriving in Madrid in a speedy 4 days and going into Spanish Customs.
From this point forward, everything stopped. The manuals were then being withheld indefinitely beginning on October 15 and it has been held there since. About a month ago, I contacted the Spanish PO via email and they stated they will look into the matter, but there has been nary a response since.
A few days ago, I was contacted by the buyer who said Spanish customs will not release the package. They stated that a purchase invoice is needed. He presented his PayPal payment receipt, but to no avail, the parcel will not be released. So I guess the package will be returned to me at some point and when received, a refund will be sent back to the buyer. Oh, what a headache this matter has become.
In the future, if I were to send something again to the EU, are there any tips and insights that will facilitate easier Customs handling and avoid a repeat of this fiasco happening again? I wonder if I had declared the manuals as a gift and at a lesser value, would it had help matters any? Thanks!
USPS and the Spanish post offices did their jobs in a speedy manner respectively, with the parcel arriving in Madrid in a speedy 4 days and going into Spanish Customs.
From this point forward, everything stopped. The manuals were then being withheld indefinitely beginning on October 15 and it has been held there since. About a month ago, I contacted the Spanish PO via email and they stated they will look into the matter, but there has been nary a response since.
A few days ago, I was contacted by the buyer who said Spanish customs will not release the package. They stated that a purchase invoice is needed. He presented his PayPal payment receipt, but to no avail, the parcel will not be released. So I guess the package will be returned to me at some point and when received, a refund will be sent back to the buyer. Oh, what a headache this matter has become.
In the future, if I were to send something again to the EU, are there any tips and insights that will facilitate easier Customs handling and avoid a repeat of this fiasco happening again? I wonder if I had declared the manuals as a gift and at a lesser value, would it had help matters any? Thanks!
) i pay average 1/3 in VAT and import dutys here in Belgium..... 
