Avoiding customs duties when shipping back forgotten items to Portugal from the UK

Avoiding customs duties when shipping back forgotten items to Portugal from the UK - Seaport during Golden Hour

I forgot my manual coffee grinder and Aeropress at a friend's place in the UK. The items were bought in the EU (but not Portugal) and I have receipts for them. They're missing all packaging and extra parts. Retail value was about €160, and the package will be shipped using the Royal Mail.

As far as I understand I shouldn't have to pay anything, but how do we convince customs of this in the off chance the package is examined?

Do we indicate a value of £0 on the customs form and include printouts of my receipts? Am I overthinking the whole thing?






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How do I avoid customs charges from UK to Europe?

Currently, you can send a parcel to any destination in the UK and throughout Europe without any additional customs charges or documentation being required. However, if you are sending a parcel outside of the European Union, such as to China, USA, India or Australia, you will need to complete customs documentation.

Do I have to pay customs for package from UK to Europe?

Since 1st January 2021, parcels to Europe are subject to customs and duty fees. This means that goods shipped between EU countries, UK mainland and Northern Ireland have to clear customs and require a commercial invoice and other export documentation.

How can we avoid import duty?

Tell the seller explicitly that the item is for personal use. Import duties typically apply to items imported for commercial use (business or resale)\u2014not personal or retail sales. If you're importing something for your own personal use or as a gift for someone else, you don't have to pay them.

How do I avoid customs fees UK?

You may be able to pay no Customs Duty or a reduced amount of duty for goods you bring or receive into the UK, depending on what they are and what you do with them....You can reduce or pay no duty if you temporarily import goods such as:
  • samples.
  • professional equipment.
  • items for auction.
  • exhibition goods.
  • demonstration goods.




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    Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

    Images: Tom Fisk, Ethan Wilkinson, Tom Fisk, Tom Fisk