Duty Tax

**Eric Schutte** · 30th November 09, 06:03 PM

Hello All,

Been away for a while but I am back and in need of info:

1) I am in the process of ordering a 16 oz MacLean of Duart Hunting Modern from Strathmore Mills and I got a price quote of $550.00 delivered to my door but they could not tell me what the duty might be on a kilt.

Anyone give me an idea of what I am facing for a duty tax for a kilt coming into the US?

Thanks all,

Eric Schutte

**thescot** · 30th November 09, 06:16 PM

I've never had to pay any duty, but be sure to specify that they DO NOT send it either DHL or FedEx. Or, be sure to specify that they will be responsible for any duty at their expense.

**Eric Schutte** · 30th November 09, 06:44 PM

Hi Jim,

They said they were going to send it DHL, is that a bad thing? I don't know anything about DHL.....please tell me more.....thanks,

Eric

**ForresterModern** · 30th November 09, 08:08 PM

DHL and Fedex collect what they deem are appropriate duty fees for their shipments (and they usually overestimate for their own safety) then add on service fees for doing so, and require payment before or sometimes after delivery. For that amount I would estimate about $60, but that is purely a guess based on a couple of my prior shipments. Ask to have it shipped by Royal Mail or Parcel Force with signature delivery verification, if possible. Takes longer, insurance is not as good, but a much higher likelihood of it getting through customs without getting dinged for duty. also request that they list it on the customs label as "Ethnic Clothing" which is supposed to go through without (much if any) duty. Worth the effort.

The kilt maker prefers to use DHL or Fedex because they can have better tracking and insurance with less likelihood of a lost shipment and potential financial loss for them.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 30th November 09, 08:58 PM

Royal Mail air mail takes, on average, 8-10 days. I received a package from Scotland on the 27th of November that was posted on the 20th of November. No duty was charged when I collected it from my local post office.

**NorCalPiper** · 30th November 09, 09:18 PM

Eric-I sent you a PM

**KFCarter** · 1st December 09, 04:29 AM

I've had a number of packages sent Royal Mail, never taking more than 10 days, and usually more like 7... so far, never had to pay any duty

**Paul** · 1st December 09, 04:36 AM

It wont be as much as any EU country... I normally get charged an extra 40-45% duty & vat when things are sent from the US by DHL.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 1st December 09, 05:34 AM

Originally Posted by thescot

I've never had to pay any duty, but be sure to specify that they DO NOT send it either DHL or FedEx. Or, be sure to specify that they will be responsible for any duty at their expense.

I think it's a little unreasonable to expect the company you are buying from to be responsible for paying any duties or customs fees for your importing their product into your country. You are the one purchasing the item, and it is your country of residence that has any applicable duties that may be charged. There is a reason why the shipper bills the recipient of the package, not the sender.

You are the one buying the item, so you should expect to have to pay any applicable costs in getting that item to you.

As you can imagine I import things all the time from the UK to the US, largely for the Scottish Tartans Museum, but for myself personally, as well. Never have I expected the company or person I have been buying from to cover my own customs fees. That's the cost I take on when I choose to buy from another country.

**thescot** · 1st December 09, 06:42 AM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

I think it's a little unreasonable to expect the company you are buying from to be responsible for paying any duties or customs fees for your importing their product into your country. You are the one purchasing the item, and it is your country of residence that has any applicable duties that may be charged. . . .

Matt is correct as far as it goes. But my point is that duty is not necessarily required, and, therefore, if the shipper insists on shipping via one of the routes which will almost certainly cost unnecessarily high additional charges, fine as long as he pays the charges.

If he wants my business, I'll have more than a little say in what I'll pay. Insistence upon DHL or FedEx is arbitrary and, almost certainly, a matter of convenience for which I am not willing to pay a premium. Royal mail works fine and costs nothing extra. At least, that seems to be the experience of more than a few here. I like nothing.