Import Tax - to the US?

[Larry]

I bought a new US made guitar from Canada, had to pay a $39 dollar UPS Brokerage fee but no taxes.

 

[jzeijen]

You'll know what's what in a week or so.

 

[kestrou]

You'll know what's what in a week or so.

Thanks, buddy - always great doing business with a knucklehead!

Kevin

 

[DrKev]

I think it also depends on how the item is labeled. Items labeled as a gift are not usually subjected to import tax. However items coming in from Canada seem to be taxed more strictly.

In Europe gift exemption only qualifies up to some tiny amount, like 45€.

 

[kestrou]

So... I just got an import tax bill for $185!

Have gone in circles with FedEx - and the US import office - and as a US made guitar *shouldn't* have to pay that, but have to fill out a form to dispute the charges - even though the import documents lists the goods as "US Made" in the proper spot...

Evidently, that's not enough and also need this additional form.

So, for anybody searching this thread up later - make sure you get the extra document filed at time of shipment - or be prepared to dispute the charge and file it afterwards!

Will let you guys know how it all works out...

Kevin

 

[GWDavis28]

So... I just got an import tax bill for $185!

Have gone in circles with FedEx - and the US import office - and as a US made guitar *shouldn't* have to pay that, but have to fill out a form to dispute the charges - even though the import documents lists the goods as "US Made" in the proper spot...

Evidently, that's not enough and also need this additional form.

So, for anybody searching this thread up later - make sure you get the extra document filed at time of shipment - or be prepared to dispute the charge and file it afterwards!

Will let you guys know how it all works out...

Kevin

Kevin, sorry to hear this happened, good lesson learned for people. I've considered getting EBMM's from outside the US thru a dealer or what not because they have something others don't. I had always wondered about this type of thing.

Glenn |B)

 

[mikeller]

That's too bad - hopefully you can get that worked out. I came very close to pulling the trigger on a very nice tangerine pearl Silhouette that was in Canada when this thread first developed. The spooked me into procrastination and it sold. Kinda wish it hadn't gotten away, but at the same time wouldn't have been at all happy to get that tax bill either....

 

[dibart77]

So... I just got an import tax bill for $185!

Have gone in circles with FedEx - and the US import office - and as a US made guitar *shouldn't* have to pay that, but have to fill out a form to dispute the charges - even though the import documents lists the goods as "US Made" in the proper spot...

Evidently, that's not enough and also need this additional form.

So, for anybody searching this thread up later - make sure you get the extra document filed at time of shipment - or be prepared to dispute the charge and file it afterwards!

Will let you guys know how it all works out...

Kevin

Same EXACT thing that happened to me with this amp (as mentioned in Post #3 above). Can you post a link to the proper form -- I still need to dispute mine! Thanks Keith.

​

 

[GWDavis28]

That's too bad - hopefully you can get that worked out. I came very close to pulling the trigger on a very nice tangerine pearl Silhouette that was in Canada when this thread first developed. The spooked me into procrastination and it sold. Kinda wish it hadn't gotten away, but at the same time wouldn't have been at all happy to get that tax bill either....

I've made a few Canadian purchases, but the seller/buyer was close to the use, so we shipped it to the border and he drove over paid for it and drove back, not fee's.

Glenn |B)

 

[Jeong]

Hi Kevin, I just came across this thread and was recently faced with a similar situation when purchasing a JP 15 from Japan. Basically, you should NOT have to pay any import duties in this case. But it would be very helpful if the seller provides as much documentation (original invoice, catalog, specs, etc) as possible to the shipping company that shows that the guitar was made in the USA. It would also help to clearly indicate on the invoice that the guitar was made in the USA and is for personal use only. This is what the guy from Japan did (in addition to an absolutely phenomenal job of packing and protecting the guitar) and I did not have to pay any duties. However, he did say that the level of success in avoiding duties can depend on the port of entry it passes through as, apparently, the customs officers in the Chicago customs office can be "problematic". Luckily, my guitar went through Los Angeles and didn't have any issues whatsoever. I hope this is helpful and good luck!

This has been my experience as well. I've shipped many guitars back and forth from the USA to Japan and have never had to pay customs/import duties

 

[kestrou]

Same EXACT thing that happened to me with this amp (as mentioned in Post #3 above). Can you post a link to the proper form -- I still need to dispute mine! Thanks Keith.

​

Sorry for delayed response - end of the month is always a killer for me on time...

Attached is the form for FedEx (including where to send it to) and the signed declaration you have to include where you're attesting that it's actually US made goods.

Hope this helps you out!

Kevin

View attachment Importers_Declaration_of_U_S_Goods_Returned.pdf View attachment FedEx-Import-Dispute.pdf

 

[dannymusic]

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA; Spanish: Tratado de Libre Comercio de América del Norte, TLCAN; French: Accord de libre-échange nord-américain, ALÉNA) is an agreement signed by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, creating a trilateral rules-based trade bloc in North America.

I thought we trade free w/canada?

 

[kestrou]

OK- one more note on this...

My initial claim was denied because I didn't include the "Shippers Declaration" that the guitar was US made and hadn't been "improved" in any way while outside the US. I'm assuming that "rubbing mojo into it" doesn't count as improvement?!

Anyways, I still have to pay the full import duty up front ($185 in this case) and then a $75 fee to FedEx for processing the dispute - and if there's not yet ANOTHER hoop to jump through, then at some later time the $185 would be refunded...

I hate to bug the seller and go through all the hassle (which would net a whopping $110) so I'm saying SCREW IT!

But, I am posting the "Sellers Declaration" document here - so that if somebody finds this thread in the future you'll know (and have!) all three documents which need to be filed at time of import...

Kevin