Expat Community > Hungary

peddington
Joined 2013
Posts: 382

Whatever you do...

7 years ago

Whatever you do if you live in Hungary DON'T order merchandise from a non-EU country! I recently ordered a cell phone for my step daughter from China. The cost was $42 (half price) with free shipping. This was not an issue before due to the low amount but the Hungarian government stopped letting through low cost/small shipments (I suspect mostly electronics) and now imposes customs fees, VAT/AFA which on electronics is a whopping 30% (27% AFA/VAT and a 3% surcharge). My item has arrived in Hungary 2 1/2 weeks ago. I received some paperwork which I filled out, copied my passport, included my bill (actual payment for the phone). I got an answer that the Hungarian Post office will transfer this precious cargo to Customs for customs fee etc and will take 8-10 days (a miracle itself because many things in Hungary can take up to 30 days). It's been 6 days since that notice and nothing yet. In the end it will cost somewhere between 4,000 to 7,000 forints to get the phone but in my estimation it is NOT WORTH IT! At this point I just rather they send it back and I get my $42 back from the credit card company...NO TAX/CUSTOMS for the GOVERNMENT but will see. Keep you posted! As of right now I would say order from a company with a EU warehouse. Yes the item will be a little more expensive but you won't have to wait 4 weeks and deal with the paperwork!......just one person's experience! What's yours?

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