Jacket and waistcoat

[Troglodyte]

Not wanting to deal with the unknown is part of it. Tariffs, VAT, customs. I've never dealt with any of it, and I'm not sure I want to.

Another part is, if something goes wrong with an order, I know how to deal with US companies including escalation paths to seek redress should the need arise. And honestly, I'd feel bad complaining to a store in Scotland, even if my complaint was legitimate. I don't want to be seen as a rude American.

Also, sometimes it's hard to tell if a product suits your tastes when buying online. With a US company I can ship it back at a nominal cost. If it has to cross the ocean, costs go up.

Then there's economy of scale. If I'm getting one thing shipped to me, it will cost more than if a US reseller receives a large shipment. So often I can buy Scottish imported goods from a US reseller for the same price or cheaper than buying it direct from the store in Scotland.

Although, I'd love to buy some tartan direct from a mill. But they seem to be geared toward selling in large quantities to businesses, and I don't know how much it would cost. They don't post prices, and shipping is likely prohibitively expensive. Conversely, US tartan resellers have their price per yard listed clearly, and will sell as little as a single yard.

I think you might be doing yourself a disservice here, and making assumptions through a fear of the unknown.

Aside from the obvious shipping costs, distance buying (mail-order and online) in the UK (and the European Union) is strictly regulated to protect the buyer, and consumer legislation is applied to overseas customers also. So you have the same protections in the USA as a customer anywhere in Britain.

In fact, much of the legislation in place is, from what I have seen and experienced, stricter and fairer than in the USA and which may vary state-by-state, and so is safer than in the USA in several ways.

Part of the distance-selling regulations requires the seller to cover the cost of return shipping if the item is incorrect or faulty, but buyer mistake or remorse is exempt.

What UK-based mills charge for their cloth, their websites and online shops usually make clear, and is usually shown as by-the-metre. For sample swatches, these are mostly free-of-charge, and a proper purchase of a length mostly has a minimum order of 10cm or 4". Shipping costs are according to destination and weight.

When this is not shown, the product as listed is for trade customers who will negotiate a rate in the usual commercial trading way, but the mills' sales department are just as happy to deal with private individuals wanting a one-off deal.

I have never had reason to buy directly from House of Edgar, but my experience with Lochcarron, Marton Mills, Strathmore Woollens, Lovat Mills, Hunters of Brora (now defunct, sadly) is that they are highly co-operative and willing to deal with private customers. Also, as a private individual, you may be lucky (as I have been) and be offered the end of a roll of material (several metres) for a nominal price. I once got several metres of a top quality tweed for the princely sum of £20 ($25) and had a three-piee suit and other items made from it.

This sort of deal is never available from a regular retailer, and I doubt the option could ever arise with US re-sellers.

The taxes and tarrifs you fear apply essentially to large commercial importers, who will be buying in bulk, shipping in packed containers and selling on for high profit. As an individual customer, you will see an international customs item code listed on any shipping documents, and existing trade agreements allow for customs declarations to be made (and any tariffs to be paid) over the counter at a Post Office. Royal Mail has close agreement and co-operation with USPS on all matters of this sort.

One of the reasons that postage costs to the USA are so much higher than to other countries (such as Canada which is the same distance and freight goes from the same airports, and Australia, which is astonishingly cheap when compared to commercial courier charges) is that the US import charges are added to the postal costs. I frequently send items across the Atlantic, and have never known an item to be surcharged after passing through US customs.

I have a number of contacts in different parts of the USA, who will buy in the UK and have the item sent to my address before then arranging their own forward shipping. As the shipping charges are scaled into weight and value brackets, my people can buy several items and ship them together for the price of one. As they use the website for buying their postage, they have full control over service used and insurance cover provided. It is a door-step parcel collection, and Royal Mail also provides a printed label and customs documentation.

It couldn't be easier.

[Kitfoxdave]

I have bought many things from UK and EU companies. I have purchased the most from St Kilda Kilts, especially the clearance section of their website. The companies I have purchased from have been extremely pleasant to do business with. I only had 1 issue out of many purchases, and it was handled to satisfaction in less than 24 hours!
Shipping of goods once ready was quick! I have gotten orders from Scotland faster than from California at times...

I even got a custom dress jacket made to measure from China and recieved in less than 1 month including delivery! It fit surprisingly well beyond expectations!

Never had any customs issues, other than holiday delays through NY customs.

I am located on the Treasure coast of Florida.

YMMV..

[User]

I think you might be doing yourself a disservice here, and making assumptions through a fear of the unknown.
...
The taxes and tarrifs you fear apply essentially to large commercial importers, who will be buying in bulk, shipping in packed containers and selling on for high profit.
...
I frequently send items across the Atlantic, and have never known an item to be surcharged after passing through US customs.
...
I[t] couldn't be easier.

Just as a follow-up for anyone else who stumbles on this thread, I decided to take the plunge and order directly from Lochcarron in Scotland. I wasn't given a choice in courier; they shipped via UPS. Several weeks after receiving my package from Lochcarron, I received a surprise bill from UPS for a 25% tariff plus a $25 brokerage charge. So no, tariffs don't "apply essentially to large commercial importers". Although, after looking into it further, I perhaps could have avoided the tariff charge if I kept the value of my order under $800, which might have qualified for a "de minimis" exemption. I wish I had known, as I could have saved myself hundreds of dollars. This an example of one of the unknowns I was concerned about, and I was absolutely right to be concerned because it came back and bit me.

If you're reading this in the future, be aware that it is my understanding that the US government is currently trying to do away with de minimis exemptions, so I don't know what your experience will be.

[Troglodyte]

Just as a follow-up for anyone else who stumbles on this thread, I decided to take the plunge and order directly from Lochcarron in Scotland. I wasn't given a choice in courier; they shipped via UPS. Several weeks after receiving my package from Lochcarron, I received a surprise bill from UPS for a 25% tariff plus a $25 brokerage charge. So no, tariffs don't "apply essentially to large commercial importers". Although, after looking into it further, I perhaps could have avoided the tariff charge if I kept the value of my order under $800, which might have qualified for a "de minimis" exemption. I wish I had known, as I could have saved myself hundreds of dollars. This an example of one of the unknowns I was concerned about, and I was absolutely right to be concerned because it came back and bit me.

If you're reading this in the future, be aware that it is my understanding that the US government is currently trying to do away with de minimis exemptions, so I don't know what your experience will be.

Yes, knowing what the taxable threshold is can be useful. One cent over, and you get stung..!

The trick is to ask the sender to send in more than one package, so they stay below the limit. Shipping charges are naturally lower for less expensive and lighter weight contents.

It is important to remember NOT to ask the sender to mark down the value of the item. Any documentation must show the true value - especially if compensation for loss is ever required - and there may be other penalties if things go wrong.

All kinds of things are uncertain at the moment, so it may be worth getting in quick, and stocking-up while you can.

[bookish]

Just as a follow-up for anyone else who stumbles on this thread, I decided to take the plunge and order directly from Lochcarron in Scotland. I wasn't given a choice in courier; they shipped via UPS. Several weeks after receiving my package from Lochcarron, I received a surprise bill from UPS for a 25% tariff plus a $25 brokerage charge. So no, tariffs don't "apply essentially to large commercial importers". Although, after looking into it further, I perhaps could have avoided the tariff charge if I kept the value of my order under $800, which might have qualified for a "de minimis" exemption. I wish I had known, as I could have saved myself hundreds of dollars. This an example of one of the unknowns I was concerned about, and I was absolutely right to be concerned because it came back and bit me.

If you're reading this in the future, be aware that it is my understanding that the US government is currently trying to do away with de minimis exemptions, so I don't know what your experience will be.

That is unfortunate. I have been sitting on a kilt order, but this news has spurred me on to get in an order before the kilt shops in the US make adjustments to their prices to correct for the annual price adjustments being set by mills, and for the margin hit that tariffs will make. I'm not sure what the de minimis exceptions are in the US, so I'll need to look into that. If I have to pay $30+ dollars shipping per item to skirt a 25% tariff and fees, I surely will.

[bookish]

Just as a follow-up for anyone else who stumbles on this thread, I decided to take the plunge and order directly from Lochcarron in Scotland. I wasn't given a choice in courier; they shipped via UPS. Several weeks after receiving my package from Lochcarron, I received a surprise bill from UPS for a 25% tariff plus a $25 brokerage charge. So no, tariffs don't "apply essentially to large commercial importers". Although, after looking into it further, I perhaps could have avoided the tariff charge if I kept the value of my order under $800, which might have qualified for a "de minimis" exemption. I wish I had known, as I could have saved myself hundreds of dollars. This an example of one of the unknowns I was concerned about, and I was absolutely right to be concerned because it came back and bit me.

If you're reading this in the future, be aware that it is my understanding that the US government is currently trying to do away with de minimis exemptions, so I don't know what your experience will be.

On second thought, I wonder if that bill was not for tariffs. I don't think I see tariffs listed anywhere for clothing imported from the UK into the USA. I know that it's all a little wonky right now, but I wonder if there are other customs rules at play, here.

[User]

On second thought, I wonder if that bill was not for tariffs. I don't think I see tariffs listed anywhere for clothing imported from the UK into the USA. I know that it's all a little wonky right now, but I wonder if there are other customs rules at play, here.

I don't know. The bill says it's a tariff.

[bookish]

I don't know. The bill says it's a tariff.

I recall that the UK is no longer a member of the EU, and that EU is the target of the 25% tariff, so that seems inappropriate, unless I am missing something about Lochcarron as a business entity. You may be able to negotiate this, if you have the will. What an unfortunate situation.

[bookish]

Sorry to beat a dead horse. Here is the Harmonized Tariff Schedule for that Duty Class, because I was curious: https://hts.usitc.gov/search?query=5112.19.9560

I don't know when that gets updated.

[User]

Sorry to beat a dead horse. Here is the Harmonized Tariff Schedule for that Duty Class, because I was curious: https://hts.usitc.gov/search?query=5112.19.9560

I don't know when that gets updated.

Hah! I was about to post the same thing. This doesn't look like a new tariff, just a new-to-me tariff. I don't think fighting it will do any good.
I'd rather pay it and lick my wounds. Hopefully my negative experience will benefit someone by helping them avoid the same surprise.

Annoyingly, UPS won't process my payment online. I keep getting a message that the account number is invalid. I'll have to call them.