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StartingUpAgainAt53 Regular Member
Joined: 30 Jan 2018 Posts: 44 Location: Half Moon Bay, CA
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Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 8:27 am Post subject: Import fees/taxes to US from horn purchased in Germany |
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Hi All,
Slightly off topic but does anyone have experience purchasing a horn from a German store that was shipped to US? If so what was the import/taxes applied?
Cheers,
Marc |
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kehaulani Heavyweight Member
Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Posts: 9025 Location: Hawai`i - Texas
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Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2018 6:56 pm Post subject: Re: Import fees/taxes to US from horn purchased in Germany |
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StartingUpAgainAt53 wrote: | Hi All,
Slightly off topic but does anyone have experience purchasing a horn from a German store that was shipped to US? If so what was the import/taxes applied?
Cheers,
Marc |
In my experience, extremely hit or miss. It appears that many in the U.S. system either don't know or don't care about import duties. You could pay none but then get nailed by a zealot and pay the full customs.
If you don't know what that cost is, check online (autonomously).
At any rate, though, know that if you buy an item within Germany for German use, you pay VAT tax but if it's exported from Germany, either you simply don't pay up front or, after filling out the proper paperwork, you can get VAT refunded to you. Have you asked the seller? _________________ "If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird
Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn |
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Vin DiBona Heavyweight Member
Joined: 24 Dec 2003 Posts: 1473 Location: OHare area
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Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2018 7:53 am Post subject: |
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In my 45 years as a customs broker, your best bet is to talk to customs in the port you expect to import in.
You must have a valid invoice with the price you actually paid for it. Don't think you can buy a $5000 German trumpet and say you paid $500 for it. Customs knows how much things cost.
You don't say how it will be shipped, but if it comes through the mail, it will be looked at by a customs expert before it is released.
The import duty into the US will be 2.9%. We have no VAT here and you do not pay duty on the freight charges, either.
You may also need the services of a customs broker which will add considerably to your end cost.
Shipping through FedEx or UPS can be a real crap shoot. Sometimes things go through them easily, other times I've had to step in to straighten out a big mess.
Make sure you seek advice from US Customs. They will assist you.
R. Tomasek |
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Evinerate Veteran Member
Joined: 15 Nov 2016 Posts: 154
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Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2018 11:20 am Post subject: |
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I literally just bought an old beat up horn from Frankfurt, Germany.
I hope the seller lables this item appropriately for customs.
The item is a damaged old antique "wall hanger" horn that I plan to restore, surely customs will just the the item as it is and not charge me extra for importing fees? |
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kehaulani Heavyweight Member
Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Posts: 9025 Location: Hawai`i - Texas
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Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2018 11:36 am Post subject: |
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Get the seller to designate the cost as next to nothing. _________________ "If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird
Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn |
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Vin DiBona Heavyweight Member
Joined: 24 Dec 2003 Posts: 1473 Location: OHare area
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Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2018 2:15 pm Post subject: |
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Kehulani, what you just advised is very illegal and a good way to have the shipment seized by US Customs. I dealt with issues like this dozens of times and they usually don't work out well. You and your shipper will be put on a watch list for any future endeavors. Even if you never buy anything again from overseas, you will be monitored. The shipper will also be watched as well. If you're lucky, the horn will be reassessed in value and passed on to you with its proper duty.
As I stated, US Customs knows the value of everything. |
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