Delivery Of A Second Hand Computer To Poland (from Australia or USA). Shipping customs to pay?

Hello guys,

I have another question that someone may or may not know the answer too. I have to ship my desktop computer from Australia to Poland. It all comes to about 25kg. I have been getting quotes for the shipping from the local aussie delivery companies. One thing they asked me was if I have checked out if I would have to pay customs in Poland? I have always believed there would be no charge because it is not new goods, but second hand, and over 3 years old. I still have the original receipts etc. I know when I have moved things around the UK, USA, Central America and Australia, I just had to show my receipts and I had no taxes etc to pay, and always assumed that Poland would be the same, but is this true, or will there be different rules?

Thank you in advance...

Ian

Would it not be cheaper to buy a new PC here?

Ian,

It would be easier to ship it to the Uk first, then from their to Poland. I think if you shipped it direct you may be charged VAT on the value, even if it is 3 years old. From EU to EU there would be no charge.

AMD Athlon
Core 2 Duo

Hmmm..... I am not sure if it would be cheaper to buy in Poland again, but maybe. It is a Mac G5 Powermac. How can I find out if I would be charged VAT or not?

Sending the thing via airmail would cost a pretty penny when you add in the cost of insurance. I pay about 200zl to have two pairs of sunglasses sent from the USA with insurance. Why not just sell the one in Oz and buy a used one here, then sell it again before you leave? I've just checked AustraliaPost's website and they are quoting $400 for airmail and $200 for seamail. You can buy a used Powermac for much less than that!

If you really want to find out about VAT (and import duty), you'd need to contact your local customs office and get them to issue a decision. The basic question is how valuable is your time? I would expect to spend at least a few hours, possibly a lot more, pissing about with customs officers and filling in forms.

BTW: I'll be putting an answer to your questions in the post about paying tax as a self employed person.

Hello guys and thanks for the information.
One thing I forgot to tell you guys. Although the computer is coming from Australia, I am in fact a British citizen, not an Australian. As I am an EU citizen, should there be no tax on personal items? In theory I should be allowed to travel freely and live anywhere in the EU - right?

And Harry, thank you for the information. Yes, I called the Aussie Post yesterday about it, but they said that the heaviest item they will ship is about 20kg, and mine is a little too much.

I am seriously thinking about selling this and buying another in Poland. I am a bit lazy to set it all up again though. How much would I be able to pick up a used G5 Powerbook in Poland? A quad processor is preferred, but a dual processor may work for what I need as long as it is fairly quick.

Related: Shipping laptop to Poland from the US - the best way? Taxes?


The person it is going to should maybe pay tax on it...but don,t worry , the people at the post office will ensure it does not get there...