it is normally stated that buyers will be responsible for their country's import tax and duties.

 

Well customs charges the Tax, no idea about other customs charges. And those are the persons responsibilty who buys the item in question. The seller has to declare a value on the package, if he lowers it, he is essentially commiting tax fraud, also if he declares a 300$ item at 50$ and it gets lost, you get a problem with reimbursement/insurance, also if the customs office is suspicious/doubts that the real value is really just 50$ you need to show proof that you only paid 50$ for it, and they might go as far as checking online vendors for prices.
Thats just my experience.

 

So then it is my responsibility to pay this?

 

Sorry, but customs is something at your end that the seller has no control over. Customs in most countries is hit or miss, so it's almost impossible to predict. Sometimes they charge, sometimes they don't at all, and the fees can change. For the US though, that seems a little high for the amount. I forget what the percentage is. Are you sure that's not part broker fee for the delivery at your end? That's the extra fee they pay themselves for delivery.

 

All I know is that it showed up today and I had to pay $62 and change to get it, I have no idea why except that I was told by my mailman it for for customs charges. I really can't afford this now, but if I have to, I gotta make the sacrifices. :doh
I knew I should have waited for a US seller. Lesson learned.:brickwall

 

I always declare it as a gift with the collectors I send to in Europe.
Also underprice it,way below the actual cost.
Just want to help out a fellow collector.
Guess I better not do that anymore.

 

Yeah, anytime you get something overseas, there's going to be potential customs fees and a broker fee for the delivery company. Like mentioned, there's things you can do to avoid them, like under value the item or claim it's a gift or something. But most sellers are not going to do that, and honestly... they shouldn't. Strangely enough, there seems to be no fee info on USPS. But my guess is that it's a combo of customs and a fee that goes to them. They call it 'customs clearance fee'. But call them up and ask how the fee is calculated. I know FedEx does I think a 7% then a $25 fee over that.

 

Thanks guys, I'll head to the PO in the morning to find out.

 

This is just my 2 cents worth but if you live here in the U.S. and purchased it
from overseas then there are no customs duties. I live in the U.S. and have
traveled overseas many times and each time I brought toys back, including
our own BattleGear Toys products, there has been zero customs duties because
there are no duties levied for toys or models coming into the U.S.

Auggie
BattleGear Toys

 

Traveling and buying something in person, and bringing it back in person is handled differently than mail ordering/purchasing something and letting it be delivered to your door.

 

Great, now I'm confused. :lol

 

Usually anything over $100 coming in to Canada, shipped with tracking and a proper $ amount for insurance, will get caught by customs. It also depends on who the package is shipped with. If it is UPS, expect a big customs hit.

I Imagine it is the same for the U.S. And usually it is the responsibility of the buyer to cover the charge. Unless it is somehow absorbed by the sender in the shipping costs. That is not common, unless it is a big chain, and they have an account with a shipping provider. It is also a matter of taxes. Claimed value under $100 isn't worth chasing. Over $100, and the tax man wants his cut.

Sounds like yours was a private sale (?), and got caught by customs.

 

Sounds like yours was a private sale (?), and got caught by customs.

Yea, it was a private seller through ebay, and I'm not sure if they claimed it as a $300 item, toy or otherwise?
Now I'm sad. :cry I really don't want to add $63 to this.

 

Yeah, the 'duty free' thing is for when you're traveling. Just a way to promote commerce. That's different than shipping stuff.

 

oh boy, the seller's gonna get hit with the return shipping. good luck!

 

You might have to eat it, and walk away. I Feel for you man, been there a few times. First time was a aircraft tool order from the U.S., that is not supposed to have a charge under NAFTA. It was a UPS "looking at your paperwork fee". I nearly crapped myself. Triple digit fee for an apprentice was hard to swallow.

 

I once brought 2 full sealed cases of toys back with me to the states, in brown boxes. Customs waved me over and opened the boxes. Nothing but toys in there. They asked if I was selling it and I said no. It was one of each in a collection.

US Customs told me no taxes for toys but were checking me in case I was smuggling jewelry or watches! Hah...

I can see their point in bringing over Rolexs and things like that. Good thing I'm a geek and not a fat rich boy.

Double check with customs if your item is a toy. If it is, you may be able to reduce the charge or waive it.

PS: Be nice and cordial about it. I find US Customs to have some of the friendliest people working there and the gift of gab may help you out of a situation or put things in perspective for them. Good luck brother.

 

Sorry but the responsibility lies solely with you to pay. Almost everything we (in UK) buy from the US comes with this, and I'd love to get the seller to pay, but it is your responsibility. Funny....always see these posts from Europeans where the US guys tell us they're sorry, but just stop whining.....weird to see it happen to someone in the US.

As said, sadly it's a fact of life, and you'll just need to live with it, it's become a big key decider for me when buying from US anymore....so I tend to stick to European stuff now, as it's just not worth the large customs bill.

 

Yea, looks like I'm gonna have to fork it over. I just never thought of a customs charge because I've bought so many things from HK and UK for $200 or more and never had to deal with this.

It is a 1/6 figure by the way, so does it being a toy really matter?

 

Strange, I've never in my life had to pay a customs fee here in the States, and I've been doing international trading and selling for almost 20 years in various hobbies.

 

It's no different from having a store or business that was in the habit of importing products. It doesn't matter what kind of product it is. As an individual you are still "importing" and thus subject to pay the import tax, tariffs, duties and customs fees.

It sounds like $63 is an awful lot for tax and duties so my guess is the shipper used a private company. If it was FedEx or UPS they add a service brokerage fee which is usually even more than the taxes and duties. Plain and simple, they keep that money for themselves. You can dispute that particular fee and they will remove it without much hassle leaving you with only the federal tax to pay.

 

wow, I never knew we, the US, could get hit by custom fees from the Post Office.

I gotten many items from Asia/Canada over the years and never payed any custom fees, I guess cause they very low value $30 and less.
But this good to know. If I ever buy any high price items I will ask sellers to put low value.

 

I have never run into this situation. But from what I can tell, it looks like goods valued over $200 are subject to the fees.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/de...9/~/getting-a-refund-of-duty-paid-by-a-courier-(fed-ex,-dhl,-ups,-etc.)-service

Shipping to US - Buyer wants refund because he has to pay duty/customs: Answer Center: eBay Answer Center

 

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I'm headed to the PO today to see what can be done. I have heard complaints from UK buyers regarding customs fees, but I had no idea! :broke

Thanks Dave, this really came in handy! Unfortunately $63 too late! :lol But very good to know.

 

:lol You could always emigrate so you won't get stung by US custom's duties again. - LOL.
I'm in Australia and I have NEVER had to pay a single cent in taxes or duties for any of the 1/6 stuff I have imported.

:dunno But if you think YOU have it bad? then you should live in the UK for a while.
I feel for the british collectors out there because they get hit really, really hard by import taxes and customs duties by their government.

 

Touch wood, I haven't been hit yet. Sellers I deal with mark the items as Toy Parts or Gift and they go through no problem.

TT's, Bruce Lees both loose and boxed have all been fine. There's always a first time though, so I try to stick to sellers I've used before that I know will be careful.

CHEERS!

 

You are lucky as the rules don't care if it's a gift. If the value including postage is over £18 then you are liable. Unless when saying it's a gift they put down zero value. Iv had many thingssnt as gift and been charged, and when I queried customs and revenue, that's what I was told.

So you sir, are a real lucky bar steward

 

Sickening. Made even worse by the fact that you're powerless in the matter...

Happened to me twice...but never again, I insist. Hate it. Particularly when the billionaires are allowed their tax loopholes. Disgusting.

 

Yup, here in the UK if your parcel value is over £35 ( or thereabouts ) you can be hit for a 20% customs fee, and our lovely post office then charge you a £8 handling fee on top. Not only that but if you buy from the USA the minimum charge for a tracked parcel is around $30 and e-bay and Paypal will not provide compensation for a parcel sent by cheaper services. And its August and its pissing with rain, so I am in the workshop making it myself, so there !!!