The organizers of today’s event in Reykjavík revealed an intriguing incident involving a woman in Denmark who was surprised to find herself facing a customs bill of twenty thousand ISK for a package sent from Iceland.
In the midst of holiday cheer, Þórhildur shed light on the varying customs regulations that can complicate gift-giving across borders. “In Denmark, for instance, a gift that exceeds 360 Danish kroner—about seven thousand kroner—triggers a tax,” she explained, emphasizing that each country has its own rules. The EEA agreement doesn’t dictate gift value thresholds, allowing nations the freedom to establish their own guidelines.
She pointed out that this is true for Iceland as well, where the maximum allowable value for a gift is set at 13,500 kroner, while in the United States, it hovers around $100. “The difference can be quite stark,” she noted, adding that the regulations hinge more on price than on the nature of the item. This hasn’t changed for some time, yet she remarked that gifts today often come with a higher price tag than they did a decade ago.
### Navigating Frustrations
Þórhildur recognized that customs may deter people from accepting gifts. “It’s rare for people to reject gifts outright, but I can completely understand the apprehension about receiving something only to find they owe a hefty sum to retrieve it. It’s understandable that this would be frustrating.”
She went on to explain that postal staff are keenly aware of the holiday rush and make efforts to accommodate those sending Christmas gifts. However, she cautioned against underreporting the value of packages—doing so could lead to complications in the event of loss or damage during transit.
Þórhildur also highlighted certain restrictions on international shipments. “While you can send green beans to Sweden without issue, sending ham might lead to problems—like spoilage along the way,” she elaborated.
“Chocolate? That’s never a problem. It’s all about joy, especially when it comes to licorice,” she added with a smile.
For those hoping to spread holiday cheer, she noted that packages can be mailed domestically until December 21, and staff will be on duty until noon on Christmas Day to ensure timely deliveries. However, international shipments cannot be guaranteed to arrive before the holidays, although they can still be dropped off in mailboxes and post offices.
While the volume of Christmas cards has dwindled in recent years, Þórhildur expressed hope. “There’s something romantic about sending a beautiful greeting to your loved ones,” she remarked, reminding us that even in our digital age, a heartfelt note can make all the difference.
