MBP as a gift from the US to Spain?

Hi everyone!

I have a brother who lives in the US and I was wondering what the custom fees are like if he were to send me a Macbook Pro. The difference in price is pretty much huge (around 700 dollars for the 17'' model I want). Is it legal for him to send me one as a gift? Anybody knows if I'd face problems with customs/have to pay anything?

Thank you very much for your help.

 

The tariff's you'll ultimately pay are based on the value of the item you receive. Having your brother list the computer as a gift will not change the value of the computer, or reduce what you will pay.

The only way around this is to list the item as something it isn't. For example, he could declare the package "spare parts, value $10 usd".

If customs opens the package for inspection (very rare), they may realize the scheme and try to charge you the full tariff.

Consult your government's website on tariff and import fee's. Spain will set your cost, not the USA.

 

If it is used - and it looks that way - then the customs cant claim it is new or look for that value.

I have done the same with a laptop. Had it sent to a relative in the US from the retailer. Then I had my relative mail me two packages, both were declared as gifts and contents described as "used computer" and "used computer equipment"".
- In one package was the bare laptop only, with nothing else. None of I had them put lots of dirty handprints on the laptop and mess it up. Its easy to clean it when you get it.
- In the second package I had them send the power cord etc. All removed from original packaing and well pawed.

None of the packages had any invoice, receipt or whatever. And the items look reasonably un-new. So at that point they are indeed worth whatver you say they are worth.

Only catch is insurance on the mailing - they wont pay more than the declared value if item is lost or stolen. So you basically have to drop the declared value a bit, but not to zero.