U.S. customs

[RockyR]

Fedex and UPS and DHL charge roughly $25 to $35 to act as their own broker. IF YOU HIRE a broker independently, the rate is closer to $125. At least that's what I pay to our NYC broker when I get USPS shipments that come through JFK Airport and need to be processed as a "formal entry" which requires the assistance of a broker.

FedEx and DHL and UPS aren't being dishonest with putting the highest value they can on an item. They're actually applying the law as they see it to the goods as described by the SHIPPER. If the person shipping the goods calls the material 100% wool suiting material (or material for making clothing), then the person entering the tariff codes for customs will charge a 25% tax on it... kilt fabric falls under this tariff code. If the supplier classifies it as upholstery fabric, then the person entering the tariff codes for customs will enter the code which charges 7% on it.

I don't believe that FedEx or DHL or UPS is out to 'get you'. They're just being as honest as they can be with the tariff codes and/or item descriptions that they are given from the manufacturer / shipper. THEY don't want to get in trouble with US Customs by falsely declaring a product something it's not b/c then they can lose their ability to act as their own import broker and then they'd be subject to normal US Customs delay times (which would cripple their overnight shipping).

Peter, we arent picking on the honest agents - I think.
It, is the dishonesty that "protective" tarriffs create.
A NAFTA type global trade system would end all the under the table games.
It would allow us all to purchase the best product at the best price without having to worry about hidden fees tacked on by dishonest go betweens.
The current system makes the price of a goods an unknown.