Shipping woes

I don't like DHL that much, but Japan Post doesn't ship anything to my country for over a month now, so I must use DHL.

DHL shipping is usually much expensive, and they charge extra their "service" of sending your parcel to customs. That's additional 18 USD or so. Currently they don't accept online payments for who knows what reasons, so you have to go to the bank, pay, and send them the proof of payment by email.

Then you pay VAT and customs duties in full amount (the Post sometimes passes the SAL or Economy parcel without sending it to customs, but DHL never misses that step!). That's 25% (my local VAT) of value of goods + shipping. And you pay customs services extra.

You have to do all of that quickly, unless you want DHL charge you with their storage fees.

And of course, there is the famous EORI Number you must obtain and provide to DHL before you pay all duties. The Post doesn't ask for that number, but DHL does. And you have to validate it at European Commision. No matter if you are a big corporation or just an ordinary person, in the eyes of EU you are an importer and must have validated EORI Number. Lot of complicated forms that must be filled, lot of red tape!

So, if you live in Europe, DHL is the most expensive and most tiresome, therefore the worst and last option.

But I really wanted that Sakura Tram...