It's good to discuss this subject and I can give you some more background on
the European Union site as former Customs & Excise Officer in the
Netherlands. As soon as shipments enter the European Union by mail, the mail
company is responsible for the levy of VAT and import duties and the
CITES-verification. For the mail company the problem is that the number of
shipments is huge and they can only perform random checks. Otherwise there
would be a delay. The mail companies have to use the following check list
(shortened version):
 
- Is there an exemption available, for instance objects for scientific
study. This applies only for universities, museums etc.
- Does the value exceed a certain treshold (approximately US$ 30), if yes,
VAT and duties have to be levied;
- In case of wildlife, do the shells fall under the Cites list. As the mail
order companies do not have any experience in the identification of shells,
the verify name labels and check the list. Most of the Tridacna species are
for instance on the list.
 
To avoid delay is shipments to Europe, make sure that the value is below the
treshold and if you idicate that wilflife is in the package, verify the
CITES list and label the species.
 
People saying that they do not have any problems with sending shells were
just lucky!
 
 
> kpmg Meijburg & Co
INTERNATIONAL TAX & TRADE
>
> Fred L.J. Vervaet
>
>
 
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