Hi Everyone,
I will need to have my son ship our hiking boots and some guidebooks to us when we arrive in Paris. 15 pounds approximately in a 12" x 12" x12" box.

So here is my question/problem. I do not know what the heck I'm doing. My Fedex shipping place told me I would have to pay duties and taxes on mine and my husband's boots when they arrive in Paris. When I went on the Fedex site I estimated the value at $100 USD and it gave me a Vat tax and duties charge of $52.00 USD. WHAT? Will it actually cost me this in duties to have our old boots shipped to us?

I've never shipped internationally, other than for work, so I guess I don't know how to make it clear that there is nothing of real value in the box. Is there a rate for shipping one's items to one's self or is everything the same? How do people do this when loved ones live in other countries and they want to send them something? Help me please. Going crazy right now...need an explanation.

Thank you for your time, (yet once again!)
Michele

Shouldn't they be listed as "<u>used</u> clothing and books"? Then I don't think any duty should be assessed. That's what I've always done when shipping my own stuff. Granted - never to France so maybe there is something different going on there.

I've shipped things to myself in the UK (twice) and to the States (several times)

Hi janisj,
Thanks for the info. Which shipper do you prefer? Fedex quoted me five days from California to Paris. Does that sound right to you? Should I allow more time for customs?

Thanks again,
Michele

You won;t pay any duty if you make it clear that what you are shipping is USED belongings. But, then you can;t insure them for the full price as if they were new.

Hi nytraveler,
Thank you. I understand. I will just insure them for the minimum, I think it's $100 from Fedex.
Thank you,
Michele