Originally Posted by
mayodave
They actively stop people in AMS, plain clothes cops and if you dont have proof of purchase and they think its fake you will be fined and the goods taken off you
I haven't experienced any of this at AMS ever. Policy is that a person may take about 2 pieces of fake clothing in total from those destinations(Malaysia/Thailand/Indonesia etc) without risking to get fined or that the goods will be destroyed. I travel quiet regularly from the SE region back to my home base AMS, so I think bringing two one or two shirts wouldn't be a big problem at all.
To give you another example I was flying back home over the holiday period(Christmas) with 2 bags filled with stuff, and was questioned by customs. When I told them I was back from a 2 month business/workshop trip in Singapore and Hong Kong they only scanned my bags and let me go. Whereas it was obvious that I had purchased goods there since it was either in a box or wrapping, which was visible on the scan, but I didn't need to either open my bags or show receipts.
Maybe it's because I am Dutch that they don't mind, but I don't get the impression they are any stricter for me than for foreigners. When it comes to all other countries in Europe I can't comment on this, but usually with 1 or 2 pieces of clothing they don't really mind from what I have experienced over at London and Frankfurt.