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Buying from abroad: Customs Question

post #1 of 18
1/1/09 at 3:26pm
Thread Starter 
Hi, I didn't know to which forum to post this question. I'm in NYC, but am buying a SR71A from UK. Would either the US or UK impose custom fees/taxes on this, even though it's not a new product? If so, how do I minimize such fees? Would I declare a lesser value to do so?

Thanks for your help, guys. Happy New Year.
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post #2 of 18
1/1/09 at 3:51pm
It would be U.S. Customs that will asses any duties.

The duties are based on the declared value.

To avoid brokerage fees have it sent via the Post Office as they charge less brokerage than Customs Brokers.

Also FedEx Express P1 as well as UPS overnight service includes the brokerage fees but not duty and taxes.
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post #3 of 18
1/1/09 at 4:03pm
where in the uk are you getting an sr71a? *gets ready top jump on bike*
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post #4 of 18
1/1/09 at 4:23pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by gwilo View Post
To avoid brokerage fees have it sent via the Post Office as they charge less brokerage than Customs Brokers.
Thanks for the help, gwilo. But what does it mean to send something via Post Office? Do you mean to have him ship the amp to the post office address rather than my home/office? Sorry... totally clueless on this matter, as you can see!

Wiggy, I'm getting the SR71A from the owner who saw my WTB post last week at the head-fi for sale forum... I don't know where in UK he's in. Don't feel comfortable putting his name up or anything, since I don't know if he'd feel put on a spot or something like that.
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post #5 of 18
1/1/09 at 6:32pm
dang, i thought it was an audio store or something.
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post #6 of 18
1/1/09 at 8:11pm
Nice to see you got one at a good price. FWIW, the last time I bought a portable amp from someone in the UK, they sent it to me via Royal Mail which has an agreement with the USPS. The package was sent insured and signature required. The amp made it to JFK in 2 days. Then it got hung up in JFK's main package center for international mail for almost another 10 days.

Make sure you do your research regarding USPS & lost packages as far as collecting on the insurance though. There were a few days there when I started reading about the international package process for USPS. What I read made my stomach churn, though I had to remind myself that most of the things you find on the internet would be complaints.

In the end, I got my amp even though it took two weeks. There was also no customs charge for the package, though the seller listed the amp as manuals. That may have been a thoughtful calculated action on the sellers part.

Good Luck.
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post #7 of 18
1/1/09 at 10:56pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the thoughtful post, glc. btw., can you tell me what "listing the amp as manuals" means? And I guess I'll have to give the int'l package process for USPS before doing anything. The seller, btw, is indeed going to use Royal Mail, so that's good news.
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post #8 of 18
1/2/09 at 8:20am
You have to declare what the contents are for customs. The seller went out on the limb for me without my knowledge and declared "manuals". I have to assume that this is the reason there was no added taxes, though I will never know.
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post #9 of 18
1/2/09 at 8:47am
It can be sent to your home or work address via Royal Mail/USPS
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post #10 of 18
1/2/09 at 9:39am
This is very nice to know... I'm considering buying from UK as well, and this definitely comes in handy.
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post #11 of 18
1/2/09 at 9:52am
If you buy from companies like iBasso they hide the real value of the goods, thereby saving you on the custom fees. I know more reputable stores like Ray Sammuel would declare the full value, like a $500 USD would be like $50 tax here.
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post #12 of 18
1/2/09 at 12:02pm
RSA under declares the value - I know he did for me, calling it an "amp sample" at ~1/5th the price...

I wonder if advancedmp3players does it...
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post #13 of 18
1/2/09 at 12:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by direcow View Post
RSA under declares the value - I know he did for me, calling it an "amp sample" at ~1/5th the price...

I wonder if advancedmp3players does it...
Ray puts his amp at 40USD. I'm getting something from advancedmp3players, will let you know if they underdeclare the value.
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post #14 of 18
1/2/09 at 12:20pm
Just to get the clear legalities of the situation out there for all:

If you do not declare goods imported into the United States they can be summarily seized and destroyed.

An amplifier bought from the UK could be charged 4.9% (Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the US) duty on it's declared, or assessed value. Customs can assess the value on their own.

Since this is an SR71 you could go this route.


If an article is made in the United States, subsequently exported, and then returned to the US, without having been "advanced in value or improved in condition" by any process of manufacture or other means while out of the country, it is not subject to duty upon its return to the United States (Harmonized Tariff Classification 9801.00.10). NOTE: this may delay your item as CBP may require proof of no-advancement in value from the orginal manufacturer.
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post #15 of 18
1/2/09 at 2:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by uberburger101 View Post
Ray puts his amp at 40USD. I'm getting something from advancedmp3players, will let you know if they underdeclare the value.
cool! we should order together or something, haha....
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