Problem with German customs

Wulf

Wulf

Joined
May 10, 2000
Messages
3,351
A few weeks ago I sent a knife I made (the one pictured in my avatar) to my cousin in Germany. In the customs declaration I described it as a "handmade kitchen utensil" so as not to raise too many eyebrows and declared its value as $500. Unfortunately the customs official who received the package decided to open it up and dispute the value. He told my cousin that it was worth at least 2000 Euro (about $2600) and he would have to pay taxes of 380 Euro ($500) to take delivery of the knife. My cousin, a young officer in the German Army, didn't quite know how to respond to this extortion attempt so he had customs send the knife back to me.

Frankly I would've told the jackass customs officer that I'd gladly sell it to him for $1500 and split the profits when he sold it for what he thought it was worth while I went back to the shop and made another. Alas I never got the opportunity...

Anyway, for those of you more experienced than I with sending knives overseas, any tips to better handle German customs would be much appreciated.
 
Congratulations Wulf! You apparently make $2600 knives!! :D ;)

Sounds pretty shady. I haven't ever dealt with customs, so not sure what to tell you. I'm glad he sent it back instead of taking up the you know what.

--nathan
 
German customs are always tough on knives arriving in their country. Some buyers believe the seller will pay the duty charges. I will not take orders from that country. Frank Niro
 
I have shipped hundreds of knives over seas in last year. Here is couple of things I might do. First remove any indications it might be a knife like JoBlows Knives from the address. Next claim it a wood working tool or a camping tool. Next claim the value about $40.00.
Not that I have done any of this. I am just saying.
 
hmmmm sounds like the gistapo was playing the role big time. I would do like what jim suggests not that I would do that either.
 
I would say that if your knives are worth that much over there maybe you shoould tap into that market:p
I would just send it as a gift, or with an official receipt to verify the value of the knife
 
I use the description "tool" when I send one through customs. Have sent one to Germany no problem. I would simply try sending it again. The next agent might not open it or think its only worth $100. Good Luck jim
 
I have marked the custom document "Sporting Cutlery" and it has worked without a problem. I would not falsify the document with a false value that just gives them an excuse to confiscate it. I think some type of sale receipt enclosed is a good idea also in case they open it.
 
Well if you get the knife back, you made out better than I did. German customs confiscated the camp knife I sent to a customer, calling it an "offensive weapon". It was declared as "Fixed Blade Camp Knife --- value $400"

Look at this nasty vessel of death and dismemberment:barf:... probably on the belt of a German customs officer as I type this.... hope you sever your femoral artery, you crooked bastard!...:grumpy:
Bushguppy9.jpg
 
Magnussen said:
Well if you get the knife back, you made out better than I did. German customs confiscated the camp knife I sent to a customer, calling it an "offensive weapon". It was declared as "Fixed Blade Camp Knife --- value $400"

Look at this nasty vessel of death and dismemberment:barf:... probably on the belt of a German customs officer as I type this.... hope you sever your femoral artery, you crooked bastard!...:grumpy:
Bushguppy9.jpg
Click to expand...

That one sucks, but hey everyone knows that all knives are meant for killin stuff:rolleyes:
So who came out on the loosing end of your deal? We know someone won but it wasn't you or your customer:(
 
The customer was very patient. I took the hit. Happiness Guarantee put to the test.

Rick
 
I had many of my folders go overseas to many countries. Germany was always a problem . Some were not realeased to the customer for over a month.
Hey uncle gumbi just wait until you want a knife, even a folder, returned to Canada. You better start praying right away. They have at times their "ideas" as well. Frank
 
I definitely hope they don't try any shenanigans like that with me. This knife was made for an officer in the German Army, who puts it all on the line to protect his countrymen. The knife is a gift I made for him in honor of his service. The extortion attempt was bad enough, but it would be downright offensive if a customs officer were to try to confiscate it.

Thanks for the helpful suggestions guys, please keep them coming
 
Magnussen said:
Look at this nasty vessel of death and dismemberment:barf:... probably on the belt of a German customs officer as I type this.... hope you sever your femoral artery, you crooked bastard!...:grumpy:
Bushguppy9.jpg
Click to expand...

love that knife.
 
btw, Magnussen, that SUCKS! Really sorry to hear that, very frustrating.
 
I’m not sure how helpful this will be, but here’s my one experience with German customs. I recently purchased as Spyderco folder in the United States and had it sent to me here in Germany. I received a letter from German customs stating that I had a package I had to pick up within seven days and that I needed to bring proof of purchase in the form of a receipt and a bank statement or Paypal printout. Knowing how pedantic German officials are (I’ve lived here for twenty years), I went to the local customs office armed with an array of documents showing that I had purchased the item for the stated price (emails, Paypal, etc.) The transaction went very smoothly. I had to pay my 19% tax and was on my way in about ten minutes. I am certain things differ from office to office, and this was clearly not an expensive custom knife. However, my experience with German officials is that if you have what they consider the proper documents, you can often avoid hassles.
 
The ones I have sent overseas before the buyers requested I send it declared as a gift and labeled as a camping equipment.
 
Wulf, next time do NOT write "PENIS CREME" on the outside of the box! :p:D



I agree with what folks are telling you here; simply mail it again. Declare it a Camp Tool and declare a value of $50 or so.
 
Thanks for the tips guys

Oh, one other cautionary note - in German, "gift" means "poison"
 
My best friend is from Germany. He is there now actually but lives in Chicago now. He told me Germany had a sweeping law change a while back and overnight became highly restrictive of knives. Before that he used to love going back to visit because he could carry knives there he wouldn't dare carry in Chicago but now ironically Chicago is far better. Too bad more places can't be like Arizona.

STR
 
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