Customs clearance help

[Konekokun]

So today my package has arrived in my country.While I'm excited as fuck,I'm also curious about a thing.A friend of mine told me that I'm gonna have to go to the customs myself to present the contents of the package and claim them and whatnot and pay and extra sum.I have chosen the e-packet shipping from NLS.So I wanted to ask someone with experience,preferably from the UE,like 0xFF whom I understand is from France.I'm from Romania,in case that helps solving the problem.So my question is,do they handle the customs and deliver the package by courier straight to my house? Or am I going to have to go to the customs office and declare what I have in the package and such.Since that would be quite embarrassing.I could use some advice quite fast,since the package is already in my country.Thanks alot in advance

[AkaiHebi]

I have no report how it goes in Romania, but normally with e-packet the shipping should come to your door by the regular postman, and since it's registered SAL you'll probably have to sign a delivery paper to confirm to the post office the packet was successfully delivered to you. That's how it goes in France at least.

Another case is Germany: often people just receive a note in their mailbox asking them to pick up the packet at the post office, where they can sometimes be asked to check the content (I think it's to make sure the receiver does check the content to notice any breakage before signing and waiving all responsibility of the post service, in France users rarely check the content before signing, and it creates much trouble when it turns out the content broke during transportation).

The content is described on the invoice on the box, by default it says "figures". Post services need only sender, receiver, size, weight, value and description. Anything more than this is privacy infringement and you don't need to tell anything.

Please tell us once you received your package !

[0xFF]

Same as AkaiHebi, I've ordered plenty of stuff from countries outside the EU and I never had to do anything about the customs. The packages are always delivered directly to me, the customs just hold them for a day or two. I don't think they open the packages, unless maybe when they have reasonable doubts about what's inside.

In some occasions I had to pay taxes. That's only for packages delivered from outside the EU and with a value greater than 150€. In this case I have to hand a check to the postman for him to give me the package.

[Konekokun]

Alright,thanks for clearing that out.So using a Romanian tracking website,it seems that the package has arrived at the International Exchange Bureau in my country's capital.The status is (a rough translation) "in work" or "working on".I'd assume that it's being checked or maybe they're checking paperwork and sorting it out for delivery,I'm not sure.Eitherway,I hope it comes through some delivery services rather than the post service,it kind of sucks here.If I'm lucky enough,I should have the package tommorrow.I can hardly wait! I'll update you fine gentlemen when my package arrives and I get to have some fun with Lolinco!

[Konekokun]

Oh god..I have to go to the customs and declare what is in the package..and if I don't tell the truth,they'll seize it.I have to admit I bought sex toys.I hate my country...kill me please..

[AkaiHebi]

Sucks hard. Uuuuh don't mention "sex toy", that is the function, not the description. It's a plastic rubber toy and a joke gift (and on the package there will be "figure" as description). You said the truth and broke no law, they shouldn't care more than that.
If it takes too much time, ask them how much import taxes you have to pay (as to say "let's end this, give me my stuff and go back to more important work")
If this turns really bad (threats, pretending it's illegal,..): ask: "Am I under arrest ?", and if they say "yes" or nothing (or put handcuffs on you), then say "I hereby use my right to remain silent" and remain silent. As in all EU countries you have the right to be represented by a lawyer during all hearings, in any case must remain silent because at this point you can't defend yourself. If you're not under arrest, calmly walk out.

Oh, sidenote: customs officers often have very broad powers, they can literally analyze your phone without warrant and get you in trouble for MP3 files. So take the minimum with you: ID card, shipping number, the document you received, something like 50 € or a check if there are import taxes, maybe ask NLS for an invoice and print this out, and if you have a lawyer then write their phone number on your hand. Stay calm and polite, identify yourself, tell them what it is ("plastic rubber toy") and that's all.

All that stuff is surely overkill, "just in case" based on the couple lawyer-bloggers I read Report back how it went !

[Konekokun]

Alright thanks alot for that,that helps.I've calmed down a bit.However,I've also bought lube and an usb onaho warmer.One more issue is that I'm under 18.From all I know,it's not illegal for me to buy sex toys,but I'm not sure about that.I never thought this would end up in the customs,nor did I think if it was legal or illegal.I don't think it is though.Can I get some feedback on that? Google has failed to find something.Also,how am I going to explain the lube? Or the warmer that pretty much looks like a dildo? Why does it have to be so complicated? T.T

[AkaiHebi]

Oooh. If you're under 18, it's the vendor's fault for having failed age verification. And that's even more reason to not mention "sex toy". I wonder how it would turn out if it involves your legal representative "It's a joke gift for a friend of mine" could do. Sticking to "plastic rubber toy". I doubt lying about your age when registering on a website is illegal, so you're rather safe there.
Lube surely doesn't qualify as "sex toy", so it's perfectly okay to sell lube to minors (as long there's no illustration !). Lube can be used for hand-masturbation after all. → "skin lubricant"
The onahole warmer, uuh. "USB-reloadable glowing stick" could work. Or "Wi-Fi antenna" ? just go → "USB accessory"

The thing about you being under 18... customs won't be able to do anything on you without notifying your legal representative (parents,..), so this can be awkward. I really advice you to inform them before going to customs ("I need to pick up a gift package for a friend"), this gives the "joke gift" explanation more credit should the representative be summoned to customs to assist you. Worst case here is that your representative knows about you masturbating, which is usually not a big deal. Make sure the warmer does not get labeled as "dildo" though, I'm pretty unsure how LGBTIQ rights are in Romania and let's avoid unnecessary family trouble.

Oh, another thing: you're under 18, you're not supposed to browse Onahole Review

[Konekokun]

Under 18 meaning 17.Am I really not allowed here? T_T

[AkaiHebi]

*kicks out Konekokun*
no seriously, these forums are discussions only, people lie about their age, at age 13 I fucked up Norton Internet Security's parental control, it's no use trying to keep things hidden from teens, and some people below 18 are more mature than some others above 18. I'm not gonna be an "age-nazi" especially if you're 17