Italian Bureacracy - part 2 by mccalpin
Another time, one of my students received notice that a replacement camera that his parents had sent him was in customs at Fiumicino (Rome's main airport). We went to go get it. While in the office waiting for the paperwork to be typed up, I noticed that the import tax to be levied was over 200,000 lire (about $250 dollars). Surprised, I turned and asked my student just how expensive this camera was. He said it was cheap, so I asked the Italian in charge how this figure was arrived at - it turns out that his parents had insured the camera for $500 (probably 4 times what it was worth) because it never occurred to them that anyone would actually use the figure.By this point, the student was somewhat hysterical - since he probably didn't have $250 this late in the semester. The Italian office manager and I continued talking, and he finally asked me if the camera was used. Well, I had no idea, but, yes, the student thought that it probably was used. "Well, why didn't you say so?" he exclaimed.
A whole group of people (Italians love a good show) followed the office manager and the student and myself over to the customs vault, where all the stuff waiting to be claimed. The office manager rooted around in the vault, came up with the box, pulled out the camera, and voila' (excuse my French), the camera had a scratch on it, so it was officially determined to be "used".
Oh, the import price? 2,000 lire - about $2.50.
In any case, talk to the bureaucrats, treat them like people, pretend to be a some dumb foreigner who needs their help, and I think you'll be surprised how often they'll help you. Yes, sometimes a (monetary) tip after the fact (not before!) is warranted - but given how much time they may save you, it's well worth it....maybe I'll tell you about the experiences with the post office some time...
Bill