Almost my entire order has arrived

[GlassMan]

Hello all,

Just wanted to put in a note about my first order from Kiltstore.net. I had ordered several new kilt pins, a pair of ghillie brogues for my wedding and a lot of new kilt socks along with a custom fitted lovat green daywear jacket and vest. Well, they kept having to delay the order because of the jacket and vest. I called the North American 800 number and told them that I was worried about getting the shoes on time, since I had chosen the free ground shipping and that had a delivery estimate of about 20 days once it finally got posted.

They said not to worry and shipped everything but the jacket & vest to me via FedEx express at no extra charge. And I was really pleased when FedEx didn't charge me any duties on the package either.

So far I'm really pleased with their service and will probably buy from them again. Now I just gotta wait for that jacket & vest.

[Randy]

Congratulations on your purchases and the timely arrrival.

[Streetcar]

Glad to hear it's there!
I'm eagerly jonesing for my order from them...

[turpin]

And I was really pleased when FedEx didn't charge me any duties on the package either.

So far I'm really pleased with their service and will probably buy from them again. Now I just gotta wait for that jacket & vest.

Don't be surprised when you get the bill from FEDEX for duties. I got mine last Friday for a delivery I received July 24. I was talking to the FEDEX Trade Networks folks today (this is the Fedex customs broker). They told me you can expect to pay duty on items of apparel, and especially on woolens greater than $5 in value. This also seems to trigger what is known as "formal entry", where the minimum fee is $25. (If formal entry is not triggered there is no entry fee.) So those kilt hose that look good with a 10% discount can run 11.3% duty plus $25 fee. My total Customs bill for Kiltstore Balmoral 8-yard kilt w/flashes, hose, sporran, belt, buckle, kilt pin, was $85.02. $43 for the kilt alone.

Also, I had to send the kilt back because it was pleated to the sett, not the stripe as I had requested. Just so you all know, make sure to keep all postal/shipping receipts in such a case to prove you did return it, and have the vendor clearly mark the replacement as a replacement, or you may be liable for duty on the replacement as well.

Duty on woolen kilts is 12%, wool hose 11.3%, kilt pins and "imitation jewelry is 11%.

These are things I am learning the hard way. However, I have to concur with Glassman's comment on their great service. They have been very responsive and cooperative during the entire process, including paying for the return costs and promising to Fedex the replacement at no additional charge.

Actually, I'm surprised there isn't more talk about import duties on X-Marks. Maybe I just haven't run across it yet, or it is just assumed by the more experienced among us. It is certainly a cost to factor into buying decisions.

[orangehaggis]

I was charged duties on 2 kilts I had woven and sewn up by Lochcarron several years ago (one of which was the verysame kilt I mentioned that I had remade by Mary Crowe Essey of Easy Kilts in Belfast when I outgrew the kilt's original sizing). I believe that the courier was also FedEx. My solution ... I never paid! I got one more notice and "filed" it! I know, I'm cheap, but nothing was ever done to me and I still receive FedEx parcels without problem!

Not recommending that you try my method of dealing with the situation, but it worked for me!!!

Mark, Ohio

[RockyR]

Actually, I'm surprised there isn't more talk about import duties on X-Marks. Maybe I just haven't run across it yet, or it is just assumed by the more experienced among us. It is certainly a cost to factor into buying decisions.

Many of the places people order from (USAK, Scottish History Museum, Scottish Weaver, many various Irish and Scottish themed places online) are in the US. US Retailers of Celtic goods (made overseas) "take the hit" from customs which is one reason that the prices are a little higher than most people would like. Buying your stuff direct from the UK MIGHT save you money if you don't get dinged on Customs.

[MacTavishOfJapan]

I'm waiting to see what the Japanese tax man hits me for when my kilt arrives. So far I haven't been charged anything for my accessories, which rocks.

[davedove]

Don't be surprised when you get the bill from FEDEX for duties.

Actually, I'm surprised there isn't more talk about import duties on X-Marks. Maybe I just haven't run across it yet, or it is just assumed by the more experienced among us. It is certainly a cost to factor into buying decisions.

Many of the places people order from (USAK, Scottish History Museum, Scottish Weaver, many various Irish and Scottish themed places online) are in the US. US Retailers of Celtic goods (made overseas) "take the hit" from customs which is one reason that the prices are a little higher than most people would like. Buying your stuff direct from the UK MIGHT save you money if you don't get dinged on Customs.

The subject of import fees comes up every so often. I've ordered a few times from Kiltstore, and every time when it came through FedEx, a customs bill showed up a few weeks later.

I have found that although the rates look good through the Kiltstore site, by the time you tack on the customs fees, the overall price is comparable to what you would have paid through a US importer. I have decided that if I can get the item through a US dealer, I will do so.

[turpin]

[QUOTE=GlassMan] And I was really pleased when FedEx didn't charge me any duties on the package either.

deleted. old news in this resurrected thread.