'An Post' collecting customs and VAT again

Looks like An Post has gotten word from on high to start collecting Customs and VAT again even on stuff shipped via USPS. Damn those empty government coffers!

Ordered a good few bits and pieces from the states recently and have been hit with customs on every package even stuff shipped via USPS. Its painful having to hand over that extra dosh to the Postman!

Looks like they have also cottened onto GLP's too. I ordered 2 for a mate emigrating to Australia and while they got through, the fake invoice value of 60 dollars didn't stop Customs via UPS wanting another €37 off of me.

A well, it was good while it lasted

They've been doing that for some time now. At least a year. The international receiving depot at portlaoise now has increased capability to process this sort of thing.

In fairness we can't really complain. In times of economic turbulance like this, we all would like to save a few bob by avoiding taxes, but I guess by doing so we help perpetuate the original problem.

I've definately gotten stuff last Summer that got through without incurring Customs Duty. All marked at true invoice value and above the Customs duty threshold and shipped via USPS. Thats what bugged me at the time, with the smallest box containing a Moonlite focuser incuring duty but a slightly larger box containing a Howie Glatter Laser collimator not and a Brian Reed Roundtable Equatorial platform that weighed a ton and was six inches tall and 28inches in diametre so you can imagine the size of the box. Didn't incur duty on that either!!

Maybe I was lucky and they were short staffed because of Summer leave or something but it was definately only 6 months ago.

You're right of course. Guess we shouldn't complain about doing our bit to keep the country afloat!!

Thats a pity the USPS loophole is closed. I bought a DMK camera and a Cat cooler from Opt last year via USPS at full invoice value and didn't have to pay anything to customs.

Goods worth less than 26 Euro and gifts worth less than 45 Euro are still exempt. Which means that I can still buy jeans and chinos that fit by mail order when they're on sale.