Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with duties

Can I buy a bike on marktplaats.nl and have it shipped to me in the US?

dammitjim — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:28:58 -0800

Can I buy a bike on marktplaats.nl and have it shipped to me in the US? I looked through the policies and stuff, and didn't see anything that would prevent it, but my Google Translate might be fooling me. I had my bike stolen last week, so I'm in the market for a new (to me) one. I like the old, steel, road bike style, and there just aren't that many bikes available that I find attractive, either on NYC Craigslist or on eBay.

I just discovered marktplaats.nl, and holy cow, what a treasure trove! The Dutch are selling some nice bikes over there.

I'm looking for input on gotchas, too. Language barrier is an obvious one, but many Dutch speak English. Would I pay duties on a used item? Shipping could be expensive, obviously. And maybe sellers on Marktplaats don't like shipping internationally?

Help me not alienate a potential Dutch seller who has my sweet new (to me) ride?

How to avoid customs fees on return of my own computer

AndNeverWell — Fri, 06 May 2011 12:04:21 -0800

Do I have to pay customs duties to have a computer I left behind in Ireland shipped to California? Long story short: I recently brought a small computer with me to Ireland and left it behind. I need to have it shipped back to me here in California but I'd like to avoid extravagant customs charges.

What is the best customs declaration the sender can make that will a.) not cost me the price of a new computer on my end and b.) still value the item appropriately in case it gets damaged?

Should they mark it "return of personal property?" I've read this question, but it's the reverse direction.

Trivia: We'll be sending Royal Mail Express or Priority, unless that sounds like a terrible idea for the survival of a Mac Mini.

Thank you, AskMe.

Mrs. Betty Draper

Anonymous — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 12:16:37 -0800

What do I need to be a good corporate wife? My SO is in the process of taking a corporate position that will require a few nights a week of us attending benefits and performances in connection with his job. While I don't think I'll have any issues behaving like a corporate wife in public, I'm pretty nervous about the whole thing. I'm a very jeans-and-t's girl, with some Old Navy dresses in the summer in my wardrobe. I own a few fancy dresses from ModCloth, but no business suits.

What do I need to know to fit into this world? (We're in NYC). Also, my SO and I are not technically married, but thinks it might be better if we use the word wife. Will this be an issue if I'm not wearing a ring?

Also, I don't need to drink to fit in, right? I do drink, but since I'll now be running in the morning (5am) instead of at night (when these events are), alcohol is going to be relegated to non-race weekends only.

How do you know how much a company like UPS will charge for delivery?

Joseppi — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 13:47:15 -0800

How do you know if a delivery company like UPS or Purolator will charge you for delivering something? I want to use my Christmas bonus to buy a new camera lens. It's cheaper if I buy it in the states because the price is $300 cheaper and the exchange rate is pretty good right now. A few years ago I did the same thing and was surprised when UPS charged me $300 or so for delivering it. The online store I'm using has calculated duties and tax, so is there any way to figure out how much I'd be charged for delivery?

How to be the best Best Man

no bueno — Sat, 29 May 2010 08:15:48 -0800

Advice for being a Best Man. So I'm going to be the Best Man in my buddy's wedding coming up in July. Any tips or advice, aside from the questions I'm asking, that helped you would be greatly appreciated.

Few things that have crossed my mind I was unsure about

1. Gift. There are a few gifts that I know the groom would love but they don't really apply to the bride. Is this acceptable or should I get them a gift they would both like in addition to the one I'm getting the groom. Keep in mind I'm on a budget because I'm already paying $350 to fly back and taking almost a week off work.

2. Gifts for the rest of the groomsmen. Both weddings I've been in all the groomsmen have received a small token gift from the Best Man. Is this expected? I so, gift ideas?

3. For the bachelor party I made all the arrangements but the guys are asking me if I could book a hotel for everyone. I've seen too many times in the past where the guy booking the hotel didn't get all his money back. Is it rude if i tell them where I booked and tell them to make their own arrangements?

4. Advice on the speech? I'm pretty sure I'll do fine here but I'm open for tips to keep me from getting burned.

Thanks.

Online selling to Europe from the US?

subpixel — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 11:16:22 -0800

(E)URO-COMMERCE filter - i run a mail order business and web site and entertain fantasies of doing the same in europe. does anyone have any knowledge of the shipping/postage/tax/duties situation for inter-european shipping? are there examples of companies who serve europe the way small e-tailers are able to server the whole US via UPS or thhe US mail?