Duty on imported kilts

**Tommy Hunt** · 18th October 08, 01:41 PM

I just got hit with a $115 duty bill for my recently purchased kilt from Scotland. This hadn't occurred to me when I bought it. All the talk about not paying VAT got me off my game I suppose. Anyone else have this happen?

Good argument for buying American.

**McMurdo** · 18th October 08, 02:07 PM

I'd say it's a good argument for buying local, and yes I've had similar charges from both the UK and the US however I've found that there is absolutely no consistency in charges. An example, I ordered a pair of Lewis Hose and garter ties from Matt at the STM, was charged $20.00 or so in duty, so not too bad but when you consider the total bill would have been somewhere in the order of $70-$80 it seems like a bit much. The next week I received a 4 yard box pleat kilt again from Matt, now this was much more expensive than a pair of hose and some ties, but no duty. So I guess what I'm trying to say is you roll the dice and take your chances.

**Cavebear58** · 18th October 08, 04:03 PM

Yes, it's exactly the same this side of the Atlantic. I've bought a kilt from "What Price Glory" and was landed with a massive 50% extra in duty, VAT and PO handling charge. I get similar charges when I buy motorcycle gear from the US - a fantastic Olympia suit cost an extra 25% and so on. And yet, on the second order for an Olympia (the size was a tad big the first time round) I didn't get asked to pay a penny. Complete lottery!

Cheers,
Graham.

**Bugbear** · 18th October 08, 04:13 PM

Bummer man.

I would rather buy things from in-States stores even if they are importing them, so they can deal with all that stuff. I like to know what I am paying for something even if it means that I might end up paying more than with the gamble on duty charges. Guess in some cases there is no choice though...

**Carolina Kiltman** · 18th October 08, 05:25 PM

As Steve of Freedom kilts remarked in another post re NAFTA, it all depends on the Customs person, did he/she have enough coffee that morning, or. . .?

I have had processed food confiscated, on the basis of not bringing any agricultural items into the country. . . go figure. That is why I generally buy from local (US in my case) suppliers. Let them worry about the hassle of imported stuff.

**Wompet** · 18th October 08, 08:47 PM

Hmm ... as an U.S. Customs inspector, I should probably just walk away from this thread, but:

it depends on the inspector's training (some are better than others; I'll admit to that) (And yes, some of them are complete idjits. As a trainer, I've tried to pound the proper methods into these rockheads, but )
it depends on how the inspector classifies the item in question (different tariffs=different duty rates)
the worst of the duties are usually set by the private carriers, who are their own customs brokers. Do a search here on FedEx, for example. We don't just recommend the governmental postal services just for lower delivery rates.

Originally Posted by Carolina Kiltman

I have had processed food confiscated, on the basis of not bringing any agricultural items into the country. . . go figure. That is why I generally buy from local (US in my case) suppliers. Let them worry about the hassle of imported stuff.

This is my actual area of expertise, so if I may:
Depending on what your processed food was, how it was processed, and its country of origin, the processing may not have been enough to eliminate the plant pest or animal disease risk. So the Agriculture officer was (hopefully) correct in taking it from you (see my first point above).

- Gary
keeping America safe from mad cows

PS - for the Canadians: just kidding about the mad cows. Your bovines are considered safe now.
We're keeping an eye on your sheep and goats, though.

**McMurdo** · 19th October 08, 05:35 AM

Originally Posted by Wompet

PS - for the Canadians: just kidding about the mad cows. Your bovines are considered safe now.
We're keeping an eye on your sheep and goats, though.

So does Grant

**Howard Clark** · 18th October 08, 06:03 PM

Often the shipping method will increase (or decrease) your risk of having customs tack on import duty.

If you ship it extra fast, anywhere, all that stuff is checked for/by customs.

If you ship at "regular" shipping speed methods, especially Royal Mail or US mail (not sure about Canada) it is much more likely to escape the authorities notice.

Of course if we were all good citizens we would volunteer to pay this tax that assures the well being of our fellow citizens. Yeah, right.

**gilmore** · 18th October 08, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by Howard Clark

...

Of course if we were all good citizens we would volunteer to pay this tax that assures the well being of other of our fellow citizens. Yeah, right.

Yes, as well as assuring our own well being. We get a government as good as we are willing to pay for.

**Cherub** · 18th October 08, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by Howard Clark

Often the shipping method will increase (or decrease) your risk of having customs tack on import duty.

If you ship it extra fast, anywhere, all that stuff is checked for/by customs.

If you ship at "regular" shipping speed methods, especially Royal Mail or US mail (not sure about Canada) it is much more likely to escape the authorities notice.

Of course if we were all good citizens we would volunteer to pay this tax that assures the well being of other of our fellow citizens. Yeah, right.

Well according to the

we are "supposed" to submit the Provincial Tax on items by Cheque to the Govt. as to the Lottery on Duty I've run into thye same things as McMurdo but i think I'm on a few watch lists so it's worse for me.....