About Larry Expertise Questions about the practical aspects of planning a trip to Amsterdam.
Train and tram help. Red Light District and coffeeshop help. Budget hotels but not hostels questions.
Experience 5 trips now with a total of 50 nights spent in Amsterdam but with only a limited knowledge of areas outside Amsterdam.
Expert: Larry Date: 1/10/2008 Subject: import duty charges
Question Call me ignorant, but I don't know exactly how customs regulations work. I know that when you return to your home country you have to declare goods and pay taxes on excess items that you buy abroad, but do you have to declare personal valuable belongings when visiting a foreign country directly from your home country?
I am an American who plans to visit the Netherlands for a few days, and plan to fly directly from the US to Amsterdam. I'd like to bring my digital camera and a video MP3 player with me. I received the camera as a gift one year ago, so I don't have a receipt, nor do I know the exact price (but I believe it to cost about US$400). I plan to buy the MP3 player for $200, and bring the receipt for it with me.
When I enter through customs at Schiphol Airport would these items be considered as "goods to declare" even if they are my own personal items for my personal use? If so, would I have to pay duty charges and VAT? Would these charges apply to my camera even if it was over 6 months old? (Dutch customs may or may not charge duty on items that are 6 months or older as long as there is proof, i.e. receipt which includes date of purchase.)
Dutch customs regulations say that if you buy goods from outside the EU exceeding 175 euros you must pay duty and other taxes, but I'm not sure whether this rule applies only to EU residents or to all who enter the Netherlands from non-EU countries. I've searched all over the internet looking for answers on my particular situation, but all I get is general information on import duty charges.
Answer Hi J,
I'm no expert on Dutch customs but as an American who's gone through immigration at Schiphol eight times now I'd say you have nothing to worry about.
Immigration for a US passport holder consists of giving your passport to an immigrations official who stamps it and says welcome to The Netherlands. Not counting waiting in line it might take 15 seconds.
I always only have carry on luggage and it seems to me customs consists of two or three beefy guys who give you the eye just before you enter Schiphol Plaza. I've never seen them single anybody out for a search or even questioning anybody. There's no paperwork of any kind where you could even declare your belongings. I carry the usual tourist items such as a tape player, digital camera, and shortwave portable radio.
Be prepared to answer questions when you go through security when you board your plane back to the US. Sometimes I've had to explain what each battery powered device I have does as well as answer what I've been doing in The Netherlands even down to where I stayed and was asked to show receipts for lodging. One time I thought I was being singled out for special attention as a long haired single traveler but I watched an elderly couple behind me getting the same third degree. Other times I've sailed right on through with minimal hassle.
