New Balmoral Traditional 8 Yard

[turpin]

Don't seem to be caught with purchases that come in though the USPS. Haven't figured that one out.

Brian

There are specific tariff rates available for download from the US customs service. When you get your Fedex customs bill it will have an invoice copy from kiltstore describing the item(s) shipped, along with a listing of fee rates per type of item. I paid GBP 191 for my kilt last year from Kiltstore and was charged $42 duty on it based on 12.5 % of the cost. I also got a belt, sgian dubh, hose, and sporran, most of which have separate duty rates. Total paid was about $100, incuding the FEDEX custom brokers fee.

We are supposed to be able to receive items valued at under $200 and generally not pay duty. However, UPS, FEDEX and others of that sort act as their own customs brokers and are allowed to charge a $25 fee when an item qualifies for "formal entry" What's that? It depends on the item. Woolens greater the $5 in value trigger fromal entry. You could buy a pair of kilt hose for $10 and end up paying $10 for the hose, plus $1.20 for the gov't, plus $25 to FEDEX for their vig; and FEDEX WILL charge it. I don't think USPS acts as their own broker, so they have no profit motive to make a big deal about customs.

For your next wool tank, get it from someone on this side of the pond. They will get the wool from Scotland but pay duty based on wholesale price, not finished garment. The duty will be factored into your price, but you won't have those unpleasant surprises that mess with your "jones relief". If you want a kilt from someone like Geoffrey Tailor, order it at a highland games where they are a vendor. Because they have a US presence, the customs issues are much less intrusive.

*stepping down off of soap box*