US customs fees on overage
Nov 12, 2011 | 7:30 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: ORD
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 55
US customs fees on overage
Does anyone know the US custom fees for leather goods and clothing coming into ORD from Europe exceeding the $800 waiver fee per person, or
a website with this info
a website with this info
Nov 12, 2011 | 7:34 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but PlatPro thanks to LPs
Posts: 4,456
The definitive answer can be found in the BCP brochure "Know Before You Go". See if you can find that on the web.
Nov 12, 2011 | 8:21 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AS, BA, AA
Posts: 3,670
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/va...aying_duty.xml
Here, it looks like the first $800 is free, the second $1000 is a flat 3 percent, and above that "Various rates". It looks like the 'various rates' can be incredibly complicated:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/tra...etermining.xml
Here, it looks like the first $800 is free, the second $1000 is a flat 3 percent, and above that "Various rates". It looks like the 'various rates' can be incredibly complicated:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/tra...etermining.xml
The Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) provides duty rates for virtually every item that exists. The HTS is a reference manual that is the size of an unabridged dictionary.
Experts spend years learning how to properly classify an item in order to determine its correct duty rate. For instance, you might want to know the rate of duty of a wool suit. A classification specialist will need to know, does it have darts? Did the wool come from Israel or another country that qualifies for duty-free treatment for certain of its products, where was the suit assembled, does it have any synthetic fibers in the lining....
The U.S. International Trade Commission - Tariff Database link, located to your right under "on the web" will take you to an interactive data base that will enable you to get an approximate idea of the duty rate for a particular product. Please be aware that the duty rate you request is only as good as the information you provide. The actual duty rate of the item you import may not be what you think it should be as a result of your research. CBP makes the final determination of what the correct rate of duty is, not the importer. For very specific duty information on a particular item you may request a Binding Ruling. You may also receive guidance by calling your local CBP port.
Experts spend years learning how to properly classify an item in order to determine its correct duty rate. For instance, you might want to know the rate of duty of a wool suit. A classification specialist will need to know, does it have darts? Did the wool come from Israel or another country that qualifies for duty-free treatment for certain of its products, where was the suit assembled, does it have any synthetic fibers in the lining....
The U.S. International Trade Commission - Tariff Database link, located to your right under "on the web" will take you to an interactive data base that will enable you to get an approximate idea of the duty rate for a particular product. Please be aware that the duty rate you request is only as good as the information you provide. The actual duty rate of the item you import may not be what you think it should be as a result of your research. CBP makes the final determination of what the correct rate of duty is, not the importer. For very specific duty information on a particular item you may request a Binding Ruling. You may also receive guidance by calling your local CBP port.
Nov 12, 2011 | 8:31 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 11,049
If it is only slightly over the $800, say only a few hundred over, the CBP examining you might decide that it is not worth the time and hassle just to collect a few dollars in duty.
I once brought in some gifts with a total value over the personal exemption, and when I declared as such to the CBP officer and asked where to go to pay the duty, he said: "It's not worth 20 minutes of my time doing paperwork to collect about 4 dollars from you. Have a good day."
The U.S. import duty laws are more intended to be applied to commercial importers bringing in extremely large quantities / high values destined for resale in the United States. When someone is bringing in $5 million worth of foreign merchandise to be sold domestically, Uncle Sam understandably wants to take a healthy cut for the government.
That said, please keep in mind that it is VERY important to declare all merchandise that you are bringing into the USA of foreign source(s). Not to do so could risk heavy fines (far more than you would owe in duty for personal goods) and, perhaps even worse, flags on your CBP record that could make future entries to the country very inconvenient for a lengthy time in the future.
I once brought in some gifts with a total value over the personal exemption, and when I declared as such to the CBP officer and asked where to go to pay the duty, he said: "It's not worth 20 minutes of my time doing paperwork to collect about 4 dollars from you. Have a good day."
The U.S. import duty laws are more intended to be applied to commercial importers bringing in extremely large quantities / high values destined for resale in the United States. When someone is bringing in $5 million worth of foreign merchandise to be sold domestically, Uncle Sam understandably wants to take a healthy cut for the government.
That said, please keep in mind that it is VERY important to declare all merchandise that you are bringing into the USA of foreign source(s). Not to do so could risk heavy fines (far more than you would owe in duty for personal goods) and, perhaps even worse, flags on your CBP record that could make future entries to the country very inconvenient for a lengthy time in the future.
Nov 12, 2011 | 9:17 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but PlatPro thanks to LPs
Posts: 4,456
Nov 12, 2011 | 9:25 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Beaverton OR
Programs: GE, AA PLT/2.6MM, BR Gld, Royal Carib. DM+, Celebrity Elite, NCL PLT, Princess Elite
Posts: 1,643
The very few times that we have gone over our allowance, we have made a thorough list of our purchases for CBP. This is when the CBP officers can get very helpful and work with you to pay either no duty or the very minimum that they can get you (they have done both with us in the past).
Nov 12, 2011 | 9:56 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Park, Metropolis
Programs: AA LT PLT 3MM, Marriott Ambassador, Hilton GLD, IHG PLT, Club Carlson VIP
Posts: 4,666
I'm a Licensed US Customs Broker and this is what I do for a living
Seems to me you are bringing jackets, coats, etc. Duty rate is 6%. This is the onlne version of the tariff book. "http://hts.usitc.gov/"
Leather clothing falls under chapter 4203. Hopefully this is what you are bringing.
Take care.
Leather clothing falls under chapter 4203. Hopefully this is what you are bringing.
Take care.
Nov 12, 2011 | 10:02 am
#9
In Memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Always on vacation
Programs: aa exp - spg gold - Hyatt Diamond - HH Gold
Posts: 6,007
Not being airline specific we will be forwarding to TravelBuzz.
Please continue to follow it there if interested.
Thank you for your contributions.
~magic111
Please continue to follow it there if interested.
Thank you for your contributions.
~magic111
Nov 12, 2011 | 10:12 am
#10
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT EXP; HH LT Diamond, Matre-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
This is not airline-specific, so will relocate to the appropriate Forum. /Moderator
Your $800 duty exemption is only if you have been out of the country 48 hours or longer, and you have not been abroad within one month (in which case your duty exemption is only $200). You are entitled a $1,600 exemption if you are returning directly or indirectly from a U S Insular Possession (e.g. Guam, USVI, American Samoa.) And many items purchased in countries covered by the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) may not be dutiable at all. (OTOH, some items form some countries are dutiable - at 100% rates!)
Also note - the first $1,000 of excess is generally dutiable at a flat rate of 1.5~3.0%, and further excess will be taxed at the rates for those kinds of goods. USCBP is actually and generally pretty good about covering your highest duty purchases in the $800 exemption, and then in the $1,000 flat duty exemption.
Also note - items mailed or shipped back separately DO fall under your returning exemption limit, as do repairs (e.g. on cameras, etc.) (However, you can send / mail $100 in gifts per person daily to others in the USA duty and tax free; $200 from insular possessions.)
These are very general guidelines and should not be relied upon. Your authoritative source is U S Customs and Border Protection, and you can download the current "Know Before You Go" brochure here.
I can tell you this from over a half century of experience in dealing with USCBP / Customs, from many countries with many goods, including having permits for animals, plants and other goods: always disclose fully; they will often cut you considerable slack.
The consequences for not disclosing and attempting to conceal can be pretty dire, and I have seen all kinds of people with shoes and clothes they purchased but soiled and wore, goods they attempted to wear or conceal, etc. etc. and there is no tolerance for any of it - they will often be merciless, and if you belong to a GOES / Trusted Traveler program, you will lose that privilege. Oh, they will likely forward records to your state, which like California, may communicate with you and charge you a "use tax" if they have a sales tax, just to add insult to (self-inflicted) injury.
Your $800 duty exemption is only if you have been out of the country 48 hours or longer, and you have not been abroad within one month (in which case your duty exemption is only $200). You are entitled a $1,600 exemption if you are returning directly or indirectly from a U S Insular Possession (e.g. Guam, USVI, American Samoa.) And many items purchased in countries covered by the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) may not be dutiable at all. (OTOH, some items form some countries are dutiable - at 100% rates!)
Also note - the first $1,000 of excess is generally dutiable at a flat rate of 1.5~3.0%, and further excess will be taxed at the rates for those kinds of goods. USCBP is actually and generally pretty good about covering your highest duty purchases in the $800 exemption, and then in the $1,000 flat duty exemption.
Also note - items mailed or shipped back separately DO fall under your returning exemption limit, as do repairs (e.g. on cameras, etc.) (However, you can send / mail $100 in gifts per person daily to others in the USA duty and tax free; $200 from insular possessions.)
These are very general guidelines and should not be relied upon. Your authoritative source is U S Customs and Border Protection, and you can download the current "Know Before You Go" brochure here.
I can tell you this from over a half century of experience in dealing with USCBP / Customs, from many countries with many goods, including having permits for animals, plants and other goods: always disclose fully; they will often cut you considerable slack.
The consequences for not disclosing and attempting to conceal can be pretty dire, and I have seen all kinds of people with shoes and clothes they purchased but soiled and wore, goods they attempted to wear or conceal, etc. etc. and there is no tolerance for any of it - they will often be merciless, and if you belong to a GOES / Trusted Traveler program, you will lose that privilege. Oh, they will likely forward records to your state, which like California, may communicate with you and charge you a "use tax" if they have a sales tax, just to add insult to (self-inflicted) injury.
Nov 12, 2011 | 11:46 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 11,049
This is not airline-specific, so will relocate to the appropriate Forum. /Moderator
Your $800 duty exemption is only if you have been out of the country 48 hours or longer, and you have not been abroad within one month (in which case your duty exemption is only $200). You are entitled a $1,600 exemption if you are returning directly or indirectly from a U S Insular Possession (e.g. Guam, USVI, American Samoa.)
Your $800 duty exemption is only if you have been out of the country 48 hours or longer, and you have not been abroad within one month (in which case your duty exemption is only $200). You are entitled a $1,600 exemption if you are returning directly or indirectly from a U S Insular Possession (e.g. Guam, USVI, American Samoa.)
I've always wondered about the $1600 exemption for American Samoa, Guam, and the USVI. I'm guessing it is designed to provide economic support to these insular posessions by making it especially attractive for U.S. tourists to visit and spend money there?