Hi everyone, is there anyone that has experience importing a new instrument from a foreign vendor to the United States and the specific fees that are associated with it?
Feel free to PM me, I'd appreciate any help!
Ryan
Paying import and Duty fees to U.S.
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LowBrassNYC
- bugler
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Paying import and Duty fees to U.S.
Ryan Fisk
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Meinl Weston 2250TL, 6460, 6450/2
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Meinl Weston 2250TL, 6460, 6450/2
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ghmerrill
- 4 valves
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Re: Paying import and Duty fees to U.S.
A few years ago I bought a tuba from Wessex. I was unaware of the import duties/fees. The tuba arrived as promised and I began playing it. It was fun.
A couple of months later I got an email from FedEx that I owed them (about) $150 for import fees. I paid them the $150.
That's all I know.
(Well, not quite all. Apparently it's FedEx's policy to "front" the fees, deliver the item, and then bill the customer for the fees. At least that was my understanding.)
A couple of months later I got an email from FedEx that I owed them (about) $150 for import fees. I paid them the $150.
That's all I know.
(Well, not quite all. Apparently it's FedEx's policy to "front" the fees, deliver the item, and then bill the customer for the fees. At least that was my understanding.)
Gary Merrill
Wessex EEb tuba (Wick 3XL)
Amati oval euph (DE LN106J6Es)
Mack Brass euph (DE LN106J9)
Buescher 1924 Eb, std rcvr, Kelly 25
Schiller bass trombone (DE LB/J/J9/Lexan 110, Brass Ark MV50R)
Olds '47 Standard trombone (mod. Kelly 12c)
Wessex EEb tuba (Wick 3XL)
Amati oval euph (DE LN106J6Es)
Mack Brass euph (DE LN106J9)
Buescher 1924 Eb, std rcvr, Kelly 25
Schiller bass trombone (DE LB/J/J9/Lexan 110, Brass Ark MV50R)
Olds '47 Standard trombone (mod. Kelly 12c)
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bort
- 6 valves
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- Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Re: Paying import and Duty fees to U.S.
For some reason I want to say 2.9%. It's not excessive, but it's noticeable.
Curious, are you looking to buy from a European company to try and capitalize on the low Euro?
Curious, are you looking to buy from a European company to try and capitalize on the low Euro?
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bbocaner
- bugler
- Posts: 238
- Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2005 6:23 pm
Re: Paying import and Duty fees to U.S.
Yes, I have done it many times. The seller of a new instrument will include an invoice that has all the required customs declaration information including the purchase price and the harmonized schedule tariff number. For brass instruments this is 9205.10.80.
What will happen is the carrier will pay duties on your behalf based on the HS tariff number and the value and then will collect from you. How they do this depends on the carrier. US Postal service usually treats it as cash on delivery. UPS or Fedex will usually bill you for the duty they paid a month or so after the actual delivery.
I believe the rate for 9205.10.80 is 2.9% for most countries. So a $10,000 instrument would mean you have a $290 customs duty bill. Exceptions would be called "special" and would include things like north american free trade agreement, us-australia free trade agreement, Caribbean economic recovery act, etc. There is also so-called "column-2 duty" which would be something like 40% and would include imports from places like north korea.
A used instrument is a little different, and it really depends on exactly how the seller filled out the customs form and exactly what it's worth.
What will happen is the carrier will pay duties on your behalf based on the HS tariff number and the value and then will collect from you. How they do this depends on the carrier. US Postal service usually treats it as cash on delivery. UPS or Fedex will usually bill you for the duty they paid a month or so after the actual delivery.
I believe the rate for 9205.10.80 is 2.9% for most countries. So a $10,000 instrument would mean you have a $290 customs duty bill. Exceptions would be called "special" and would include things like north american free trade agreement, us-australia free trade agreement, Caribbean economic recovery act, etc. There is also so-called "column-2 duty" which would be something like 40% and would include imports from places like north korea.
A used instrument is a little different, and it really depends on exactly how the seller filled out the customs form and exactly what it's worth.