Import taxes

On our online store, https://www.truelove-france.com, you order your items and pay for the products and shipping costs (excluding VAT). When the package arrives in France, Belgium, or Switzerland, the carrier will contact you, and you will need to pay the VAT to the carrier as well as customs fees of 2.7%. Customs fees are calculated on the pre-tax amount of the items and shipping costs. VAT is calculated on the pre-tax value of the items, plus shipping costs, plus customs duties.

Example for France:

If you buy items worth €1000 excluding VAT and the shipping costs are €300 excluding VAT, the total pre-tax amount for the items and shipping is €1300.
Customs duties will be calculated at 2.7% of this amount, i.e.:
€1300 x 2.7% = €35.10 (customs duties).

VAT is calculated on the total pre-tax amount + shipping costs + customs duties, i.e.:
(€1000 + €300 + €35.10) x 20% (VAT rate in France) = €267.02 (VAT).

The total amount you will have to pay the carrier will consist solely of customs duties and VAT, i.e.:
€35.10 (customs duties) + €267.02 (VAT) = €302.12.

VAT Reclaim:

If you are a business and have an intra-Community VAT number, you can reclaim the VAT. If you do not have an intra-Community VAT number, you can use an EORI number. This EORI number (Economic Operators Registration Number) can easily be obtained online on the customs website.