As for taxes, the commercial invoice from Ciaratech states each unit costs $608.8 so FedEx in Europe will send you a VAT invoice for that after customs has done their job. It does list "Engineering Samples" but that won't stop customs from googling and finding out the declared value does not match what you paid.
Woops, that seems to be a case of fraud.They had better call customers and customs quick to resolve the issue.
This fact surprised me as well, but maybe they just split the value up with this and the following mpp shipments.
I would not jump to conclusions. A large company the exports all the time is not going to put the wrong value on a shipment and risk their business.
Agreed. We agree on at least this much. I highly doubt this error was from CiaraTech.
1. It could be that Ciara (sp?) is clearing customs in the EU as the importer and in that case using their COST would be correct.
If they hired CiaraTech then why would they create their own company for importing their own products to end users?
They also signified it was an "Engineering Sample". Plain and simple, it is neither a sample nor a prototype.
It is "Merchandise".
The email on payment of VAT would be incorrect though,
Agreed.
it should be on the price paid (but not a big deal, they may not know and the govt will tell you I am sure).
I disagree, it is a big deal. VAT in EU countries is usually 20 to 30% of the value of a product.
Couple this with the "Engineering Sample" and you pretty much have a clear indication that these packages are trying to avoid tax. CiaraTech placing packages in transit for the EU with a value of 10% to an end user...hmm...not good.
That means there is about a 90% VAT left to be paid.
On your second point, HF is a new company with a new product. It's not exactly like they are well known. It's not a iPhone.
2. It could be that the amount paid is now divided over all the units you are receiving and you are the importer. In that case, it would be correct.
Is there any evidence that they have registered an EU importers license?

3. Or it could just be an error. I see 1 and 2 as more likely. No ongoing concern in business will put false prices on invoices to benefit someone else. It is not worth it.
Agreed.