I have just learned that, from tomorrow 1 July, the EU are planning to introduce duty payments on all goods imported into the European Union countries.
Currently we send all SOTA shop purchases as “Gifts” so different rules apply - Purchases less than €45 (about £37) are exempt while purchases between €45 and €150 might attract a duty payment. I usually declare the “Cost Price” of SOTA items rather than the added value of engraving and postage so trophies fall below the limit.
Any shipment that exceeds the lower limit will be sent DDU (Delivery Duty Unpaid) so the recipient may find they have duties to pay. I will advise any purchaser that they may experience a delay while they are asked for duty payment.
Some EU countries have been applying a duty rule for some time which has caused delays and return of packages - please try to avoid this happening!
73 Barry M4TOE
SOTA Awards Manager