US bike to Europe - Cash Guarantee?
Hi guys!
To start a trip to Australia, I shipped my ride from Florida to Bremerhaven, Germany. The bike has arrived, and the handling agent now tells me that I have to pay 25% of the bike's value as Cash Guarantee to the German Customs (6% Duty and 19% VAT), to be (hopefully) refunded when I leave Germany.
I'm traveling with a US passport, and the bike has current registration in the US, title in hand, green card insurance ready.
I don't recall ever hearing of this kind of security deposit requirement in Europe. If you have any knowledge of this situation, could you please offer me some guidance?
Thanks!
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