Bringing computer hardware to Albania crossing several Balkan countries
if I have to bring cryptocurrency mining hardware (A disassembled PC and several GPUs) from Germany to Albania. What are the problems I could face on border control and customs in the countries I am crossing (I am travelling by car)?
The borders being crossed would be:
- Germany / Austria.
- Austria / Slovenia.
- Slovenia / Croatia.
- Croatia / Bosnia.
- Bosnia / Montenegro.
- Montenegro / Albania.
Would I have to declare the goods for some of the customs and pay taxes to legally transport them?
UPDATE Would it be different / possible / less expensive to do so by flying instead? I tend to think that given the border to cross would be only one.
UPDATE Would I have to pay taxes and declare goods even if the hardware is for me and the transportation is not being done to sell it or leave it in that country being crossed? (Except the final destination being Albania though the hardware is not meant to be sold there)
Best Answer
In most countries the import tax or custom duties are usually assessed on what you are importing and what it holds in value. Depending on how old your computer and graphics cards are and what they hold in current resale value will be biggest factor if you will end up paying import tax or custom duties.
The Albanian Customs website states:
Each individual, Albanian or foreigner, entering to or leaving from the territory of the Republic of Albania, is obliged to declare the cash, any currency, precious metals or gems, valuable items, antiquaries, exceeding the value of 1 000 000 ALL (one million) or this sum in other currencies as well as the purpose of carrying them for which is needed to be presented the justifying documents.
Or in short:
Each individual is obliged to declare the valuable items exceeding the value of 1 000 000 ALL.
With the current exchange rate 1€ = 121ALL, if the total of everything you are importing exceeds 8,250€ (or 1,000,000 ALL) you must declare it, and if possible show proof of purchase.
If you're travelling with your spouse, this declaration threshold will increase as you will be 2 individuals and thereby the treshold of 1,000,000ALL per person x 2 people (you and your spouse) will become 2,000,000ALL or 16,500€.
TL;DR: You don't need declare as long as the total of what you are importing does not exceed 1,000,000ALL or approximately 8,250€ according to the Albanian Customs website.
Pictures about "Bringing computer hardware to Albania crossing several Balkan countries"
Crossing Borders: Macedonia to Albania by FOOT! An Amazing Travel Experience!
More answers regarding bringing computer hardware to Albania crossing several Balkan countries
Answer 2
In most countries, it is possibly to do a temporary import. The above-mentioned ATA carnet is used in all countries you want to enter, including Albania.
The German Customs Office explains re-export like this: Temporary admission
The concept of this is similar to driving a car into another country. While you use the car there, it's a temporary import.
Although the carnet document is valid one year only, in some countries, it can be "replaced" with a new carnet which extends the period of the temporary import. Again, this is the case with Albania. To be sure if such an extension is actually possible, you would have to contact the Albanian customs authorities, as the actual treaty document states this possibility with a "may".
For eventual re-import to Germany, you would need a Nämlichkeitsbescheinigung (official page in English doesn't seem to exist).
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Andrey Matveev, Mikhail Nilov, Dan Cristian Pădureț, Field Engineer