I havent tried the repair service trick, normally i just get the sender to write as close to the VAT limit as possible (in norway its $40 atm) and mark it as gift. With big expensive packages there might be a problem as they are allowed to open it and demand you prove the value is really that low. If its over the limit, you have to pay a fee for them doing the "service" along with VAT, whatever that is. here its 25%, so if i get a package marked $100 i have to pay $25 VAT + $15 in fees