Anybody else had problems with importing their belongings in Italy ?

Member since 21 July 2012

amarcilMember04 December 2012 05:38:33

We have a big problem trying to get our personal belonging to us in Italy.

I was under the impression that you needed to have your belongings cleared once and that it can be anywhere when you go to Europe.

We took the plane with a maximum of clothing that we could bring and we sent by boat all the rest that we wanted to bring along. Everything fitted on 2 skids and it's only used personal souvenirs, books and clothing, etc

The Canadian Moving Company that we used asked for an extra amount because the estimate was for such a weight and we exceeded it and there was fees for Customs that had to be paid extra because of that. No problem - we paid.聽

Now the boat came in at the Hambourgh sea port on the 22nd of November. A company who received the goods wanted money to bring it to us ??? So I referred them to the Canadian company and they worked it out between them and the goods were released from custom and it was shipped to Milan for delivery to our house to be delivered to us like 1 day after that.

Now we have a new player, who also wants 500 euros to bring the stuff to us claiming that. they are the representatives of the Italian Customs. They claim that they don't care if it went through customs in Hambourg and they are requesting all kinds of information about us as : Proof of Residency, proof of work Contract, codice fiscale, passports and more.............
I also referred them to the original Canadian company. After 5 emails back and forth the Canadian Cie claims that they must be right to request all that and the money because they are not sure of what is the real procedure... Shows that the Canadian Cie don't do this very often !!!

This Milan Cie is claiming that they do not obey to any Bianchi's rule (???) but to the Italian customs rule !!

Now my question is this - Is there more then ONE custom when you import stuff to Europe ???

PS I know I sound frustrated but it's only that I hate to let anyone take advantage of me............

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Cesar77 Member

Member since 14 February 2012

Cesar77Member04 December 2012 09:19:37

HI!
I worked in Haulage so I can be quite sure of what is going on here but first, make sure the Italian delivery company is genuine in partnership with the Dogana, (Bartolini, Artoni GLS and SDA are the biggest) once you've done that and you are sure you are not the victim of a fraud, you should ask for a refunding to Hamburg customs because the goods were ''in transit'' and you shouldn't have paid any duty! You pay the cost of transport but this is generally paid on your behalf by the moving company that is first in the chain, in your case the Canadian moving company.Every European country has its own Dogana but you pay duties only to the final destination according to the type, the value and the use you are going to make of what you are importing. Personal stuff are taxed lower, that's why they asked you for documents that prove you are a resident and not a company that was intended to re-sell stuff.
The Canadian company should had known European rules by the time you asked them to ship your stuff, bigger companies such as Ups or Dhl are very professional and are highly recommended in international shipping, you pay to the delivery guy and you don't have surprises.
It seems to me however that five hundred is a lot of money, I usually pay hundred fifty euros for a ten kilos package from Florida to Ancona, transit from Paris and Milan duties included. And I have never paid French custom of course!
Check the declared value of your belongings, if there is not an invoice on the package, the dogana settle an average value according to what they suppose there is in the package and apply the matching tax.
I'm pretty sure the Canadian Company here made few mistakes in filling in the papers, once you've got your belongings check them (they usually are in a plastic bag glued to the box) if you notice mistakes you can get a refund.

Good luck