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$500 fee for import from the UK

#41
Not bass related but I recently had an experience that applies to this situation. I went looking for a weed eater. I wanted a straight shaft stout enough to carry a saw blade for some established growth around a dock on a small pond. The model I wanted was available through one of the big two handyman labyrinths so I start looking there first. Oddly enough the big box hardware store had none in stock within fifty miles of my location or even out to 100 miles. They all said they could order but I had many other local options from small independent dealers so I started looking again. I found one about an hour away but when I got there, it turned out the nice young person who confirmed stock didn't now how to read a box code, but I'm drifting.
I inquired at the smaller shop about ordering and the manager told me this, "things are so uncertain right now, several links in the supply chain balked at ordering summer stock waiting for a coherent policy that lasted more than a week. If there was something imported I really needed, I'd go yesterday and get it."
I've since tried to order the trimmer I wanted, and so far I've struck out twice.
 
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#44
Okay, here's an update. The dealer I'm working with is a USMCA Certificate of Origin documented business. That means they get preferential treatment (reduced tariffs) when shipping to the US.
The needed document was not received by customs so they applied normal tariffs. The dealer is resubmitting the USMCA documentation and the $703 should go down to just under $230.
Awaiting new invoice.
 
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#46
Pep said:
Okay, here's an update. The dealer I'm working with is a USMCA Certificate of Origin documented business. That means they get preferential treatment (reduced tariffs) when shipping to the US.
Click to expand...
It might not be that simple.

U.S. – Mexico – Canada Agreement (USMCA) Frequently Asked Questions

The U.S. – Mexico – Canada Agreement (USMCA) does not require a specific certificate of origin as did the North American Free Trade Agreement. There is no required certificate of origin form for USMCA. The CBP Form 434 is no longer in use.... The USMCA does not require a specific certificate of origin form. Rather, it requires nine specific data elements, which can be presented in any format, similar to other more modern trade agreements that were implemented subsequent to NAFTA
 
#47
After a conversation with UPS billing for imports, they advised me that I only owed $87.25.
I headed over to the store holding the package. They went into their system and it still said I owed $703.87.
I went back home and luckily the UPS driver who services my area was dropping off a package. I told him of my dilemma and he said he had customer with a similar problem just a couple of weeks ago. He gave a direct number to the person who straightened it out.
I headed back to the store that was holding my package and had them call the person at that number.
The lady told them that their driver would be there shortly and get it corrected.
When he arrived, he went into his system like he was receiving the package back to return it to the shipper.
Then he went into his UPS Pad and changed it to being personally delivered to me.
I signed the pad and received the package and he told me there was nothing due.
Not bad considering it went from $703.87 to $0.
 
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#51
I posted this before. I ordered a Dingwall NG3 from a dealer in Canada. It was $1400 cheaper than getting from a dealer in the US. The dealer in Canada assured me that there would no tariffs because he fills out a form that exempts the taxes and tariffs. I was having the bass delivered to another address because I wasn't going to be home when it arrived.
When I dropped by to pick it up they said there was over $700 due in taxes and tariffs. I told them that they were exempt from the charges but they wouldn't release it. I called my dealer and he failed to get it straightened out. Apparently that firm was used prior to the new tariffs so it was null and void.
I went back home and a UPS driver was in the neighborhood so I explained the problem.
He gave me the phone for the manager at the terminal and she could get it rectified. I went back to get the bass and called her from that location. She couldn't get it straightened out but said store's UPS driver would be there shortly and get it straightened out.
The driver arrived, I explained the situation. He had the store release it back into his possession. Then he had me sign for it and gave it to me with no payment due.

I may have gotten lucky because the store manager said the regional UPS guy has been by twice trying to collect but is unable to because the bass was released back to the driver, then to me and they were no longer the recipient. The only address on the shipment was the store address.
 
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#52
Pep said:
I posted this before. I ordered a Dingwall NG3 from a dealer in Canada. It was $1400 cheaper than getting from a dealer in the US. The dealer in Canada assured me that there would no tariffs because he fills out a form that exempts the taxes and tariffs. I was having the bass delivered to another address because I wasn't going to be home when it arrived.
When I dropped by to pick it up they said there was over $700 due in taxes and tariffs. I told them that they were exempt from the charges but they wouldn't release it. I called my dealer and he failed to get it straightened out. Apparently that firm was used prior to the new tariffs so it was null and void.
I went back home and a UPS driver was in the neighborhood so I explained the problem.
He gave me the phone for the manager at the terminal and she could get it rectified. I went back to get the bass and called her from that location. She couldn't get it straightened out but said store's UPS driver would be there shortly and get it straightened out.
The driver arrived, I explained the situation. He had the store release it back into his possession. Then he had me sign for it and gave it to me with no payment due.

I may have gotten lucky because the store manager said the regional UPS guy has been by twice trying to collect but is unable to because the bass was released back to the driver, then to me and they were no longer the recipient. The only address on the shipment was the store address.
Click to expand...
That seems unusual. Is there a way to know what the tariff would be?
 
#53
climber said:
That seems unusual. Is there a way to know what the tariff would be?
Click to expand...

It can be capricious as to how it's applied, by who, etc. and everything very subject to change.

Country of origin is a factor so I'd expect it might be more stringently applied to goods from China than with the Canada example.

$800 used to be the cut off line ("De Minimis") but my understanding is that has been eliminated.

Method of shipment can be a factor as well. If shipped regular post such as EMS which is then handed off to USPS in the US, there might only be a flat rate of $160-$200 (that's likely best case). If going UPS, FedEx, etc the rates are generally percentage based and the courier companies add brokerage fees of their own in addition.

A quick Google returns:

"A private purchase guitar valued at $800 from China to the US is subject to significant tariffs, as the de minimis exemption has been eliminated for goods from China. The total applied tariffs can range from approximately 30.4% to over 50% of the guitar's value, depending on specific classifications

Applicable Duties and Fees

As of late 2025, several layers of duties and fees apply to shipments from China, regardless of value:

  • Elimination of De Minimis: The previous rule that allowed goods valued under $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free no longer applies to items from China.
  • Base Import Duty: Guitars fall under Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes in Chapter 92. The standard general rate of duty for many guitars (e.g., HTS 9202.90.40.00 for other string instruments) can be around 8.7%.
  • Section 301 Tariffs: An additional tariff of 7.5% was already in place for most Chinese-made musical instruments (excluding orchestral strings).
  • Newer Tariffs: Further "reciprocal" and "fentanyl" tariffs add another combined 20% (10% each) as of a recent update, bringing the total additional tariffs to approximately 27.5% on top of the base duty and Section 301 tariffs.
  • Total Tariff Rate: The combined ad valorem (value-based) tariff rate for a guitar from China would be roughly 36.2% or higher (8.7% + 7.5% + 20%).
  • Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF): While the de minimis was in effect, the MPF generally applied to goods over $800. With the end of the de minimis rule for all countries, all shipments are subject to the relevant processing fees. If handled by a private courier, it may incur a Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) of 0.3464% of the value (with a minimum and maximum fee).
  • Flat Fees for Postal Shipments: If sent via international postal service, a flat fee may apply instead of the ad valorem rate, which could be around $160 to $200 per item, depending on the specific rate at the time of import.

Important Considerations

  • Shipping Method Matters: The final cost can vary based on whether a private courier (like FedEx or UPS) or a national postal service is used. Shippers might also add their own "demand surcharges" or processing fees.
  • Paperwork and Delays: All shipments, regardless of value, now require full customs entry and accurate documentation (e.g., Harmonized Tariff Schedule or HTS codes), which can lead to longer processing times and potential delays."
 
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#55
thnx… it's the fact that you really don't/can't know an exact amount makes it difficult to make a informed bid on a instrument. Regardless, after seeing a good price on an instrument you are interested in, you have to add on a indeterminant extra $$$. SIGH
 
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#56
Imports carry tariffs. You can ask for a UPS breakdown but $500 is less than 20%.. so I'd expect something like that.
I'm assuming the Gallery price was an export price and if it was its probably a there or thereabouts deal..?
 
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#57
I negotiated a price such that the bass + estimated shipping & tariff is what I was originally willing to pay. now the question is if it arrives both as described and intact. the seller seems to have many 5 star feedback's on Reverb. fingers X'ed. I'll post once it's here, hopefully 2 weeks.
 
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#58
bass was shipped yesterday via UPS. I checked the tracking and UPS says it will be here on Friday Dec 26!!! When I checked the tracking on the UPS site it said I needed to pay a $65.20 import fee. If I paid it now I would avoid an additional $12 "collect on Delivery" fee. so I did that. I'm excited to see if it arrives intact. stay tuned...

Screenshot 2025-12-23 at 5.35.15 PM.jpg
 
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