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Yeah, I pay 25% import tax and around €8 in handling fees. But they only do random checks so I don't pay anything maybe every other time.

It all depends on the value declared
here, it only counts as a gift under 50 dollars value for example. So preferably if you're sending to me, don'T declare or declare just a tiny bit

I'm in, of course... really looking forward to it!

goroth wrote:Yeah, I pay 25% import tax and around €8 in handling fees. But they only do random checks so I don't pay anything maybe every other time.

Yeah, that's how it works for me as well. Like anything else in Scandinavia, it seems like it depends on what person happens to be responsible at the time. UC had to pay taxes and stuff for the No Memory, I got it for free from the post office. Karma is a biotch.

Are you saying I deserved it, you cheeky weasel?

But the consensus in general for intl gift; write a low value, but not so low that they think you're trying to fool them.

I guess it would be a good idea if everybody added to their wishlist post what they cannot have shipped to them in their country. Like I was very surprised that it wasn't possible to send alcohol through the post in the U.S. That's sad, because whoever gets me is getting some local wine for shure - if it's possible.

As for customs, over here, you get charged V.A.T only. Handling fees are only paid to UPS or FedEx and the like as they collect it themselves and then pay it to the state. I find that silly. They shouldn't make money on making sure we all contribute to the common good. When stuff is sent trough La Poste (most often when you send your parcel from the local state operated/owned postal service such as USPS or Royal Mail etc...), checks are random. From my experience, it's not worth the extra money to use a private operator to ship over here, La Poste is just as good as the other two and it's actually a lot less painful to get my stuff if I wasn't home when they delivery guy showed up (there are actually La Poste agencies everywhere, I can count 4 accessible in a less than 5 minutes drive from my place) whereas UPS, DPD, FedEx or DHL, I have to go across town to get to their offices. IIRC correctly, there's a post office in France for every 15000 inhabitants and one UPS / FedEx for every million). I've heard from someone I knew who worked for the customs in Roissy - Charles De Gaulle that during christmas time they're cool and stop checking packages when they realize it's wrapped in gift paper and stuff like that.

Just FYI for any of you Euro dudes who end up with an American, you can just use your national post service.
DHL for Germany
La Post for France
Royal Mail for UK
etc.
I order stuff from outside the US about once a week, and the cheapest method gets here in under two weeks, and has never been hit with customs fees.

The revised rules are to keep assignments completely unbiased/random. Basically jwar can just use one of them randomizers now instead of having to work out all the logistics of pairing everyone up himself.

Ohhh Ohhh! I'm late! i'm late!

I want in again this year, last year was fun.

^^^ You are not late, OCt. 25th is the deadline.

I want to participate, the 2 last years have been GREAT, last year my SS came over to my house and it was awesome!
I need to check finances though….

I wanna get D'Arcy - gonna score me some saussicon, some good wine, some reblachon...

have people notified the builders that sometimes do it? i remember ryan dr scientist doing it last year. i dont know how often they check the gear section

anyone who gets allocated austtralians: dont send plant matter or untreated wood or any sort of living/ex-living thing probably
no idea if you can send alcohol here?

that tax situation sounds annoying euro-dudes
i dont think we have to pay anything until it goes over $1k in value? which is obviously no issue for this

Austria is pretty cool with customs in the holiday season. If it's wrapped they pretty much believe the customs form and don't ruin your day (most of the time).
Every other time of the year they fuck you over big time, tho. Customs handling fees, import tax plus you have to pay for the shipping from the customs office to your house additionally. And they have to send it insured/with signature so they can collect your money, of course you have to pay the postal service the handling fees for the money/signature service too. So yeah... everything over 70€ gets you on the edge of bankruptcy.
Except when you order stuff you really really really need/want over your company, which happens to have a import VAT number for medical goods, which are tax free....

That said (I didn't say that last thing ) the last two secret santas were a blast! So much fun! Hapiness! YAY!
Austrian post is pretty straight forward with their pricing (meaning they're expensive as fuck regardless of destination). When I send a package to germany I pay around 18€ with insurance and tracking, when I send to australia I pay around 20€.
I've sent to USA and England the last two years and didn't have any problems (sending booze and food as well as electronics both times). So mighty jwar random people assignment generator, take my virtual body whole and spit it onto the globe, wherever it lands I shall send the goods!

Honestly, I have the best experience with the cheapest Czech Post method. Never got lost, always arrived very fast, shipping works in EU nevertheless so i'm absolutely okay with getting someone from anywhere (got Canada and US the last two years)

GUYS!!! GUYS!!!!!!!!!!

DON'T FORGET TO SEND ME YOU ILF HANDLE!

Also, 31 sign ups so far!!!!!!!!

Man, I'm so stoked to get my dude and start getting a gift ready.

How does Secret Santa work?
Like, how long are you a secret, and when are you a Santa?
When they open the present, should they know who it was from?