54% tax rate on a gift??? is this normal?

Last activity 15 June 2020 by fernandoks

301 Views

2 replies

Post new topic

MorningloryMember11 June 2020 13:51:46

I had my birthday recently, and my son tried to send me a tiny gift from the USA.
The total value of the gift was under one hundred USD.

I had been looking forward to it greatly, as it contained a birthday card from him and some pictures.

They tried to deliver it today, and wanted me to pay 47.27 euros!!
I don't keep cash in the house and so I couldn't pay that. They said I can pick it up later at the local post office.

But I want to know if anyone can tell me anything about this. Is it normal here to tax a gift? And at a tax rate of over 50%? (47.27 euros = $53.70)

Is there any way to clear that up, in your experiences, or am I stuck with either paying this ridiculous fee or losing my gift?

Thanks for any insight people can share.

pmichelazzoContributor11 June 2020 14:10:26

139

Yes, it is.

You can calculate here:

https://thomas.vanhoutte.be/tools/customs/en/

fernandoksActive member15 June 2020 09:52:49

Morninglory wrote:
I had my birthday recently, and my son tried to send me a tiny gift from the USA.
The total value of the gift was under one hundred USD.

I had been looking forward to it greatly, as it contained a birthday card from him and some pictures.

They tried to deliver it today, and wanted me to pay 47.27 euros!!
I don't keep cash in the house and so I couldn't pay that. They said I can pick it up later at the local post office.

But I want to know if anyone can tell me anything about this. Is it normal here to tax a gift? And at a tax rate of over 50%? (47.27 euros = $53.70)

Is there any way to clear that up, in your experiences, or am I stuck with either paying this ridiculous fee or losing my gift?

Thanks for any insight people can share.

Yeah, it`s like you said, pay or pay.

The main problem there, is that wasn't a formal import, so they will consider maximum taxes.

Articles to help you in your expat project in Belgium

Tax in Belgium
Like everyone else, expats in Belgium have to pay taxes. Here's a description of how Belgian taxes work.
Doing an internship in Belgium
Students usually have to do an internship to validate their academic training. What's the process of doing an ...
A guide to Brussels' neighbourhoods
A very safe and laid-back city to live and work in, Brussels has many different sides for expats and tourists to ...
Buying a car in Belgium
Some formalities apply when buying a vehicle in Belgium, both before and after the sale. Here's what to expect.
Buying property in Brussels
Compared with other European capitals, buying property in Brussels is very affordable. Consequently, it's ...
Buying a property in Belgium
The real estate in Belgium has the reputation of being relatively cheaper than its neighbors. We'll give you ...
Lifestyle in Belgium
Belgium is a diverse country that's very friendly with newcomers. What about its traditions, festivities, and ...
Driving in Belgium
If you're moving to Belgium, you might be interested in learning about getting a driver's license. Read on ...