I have a range of T-shirts made with fabric loomed in Morocco (no duty on that), sewn in Ireland (depends on where they go, whether there's duty from there), and printed in Scotland (uh-oh, now we're talking a UK 'origin'). On $3000.00 worth of T-shirts (wholesale cost), I have to pay over $900.00 in Customs duty and brokerage. Ouch! If I just brought in the fabric from Morocco, $0.00. If I brought in blank shirts and had them printed here, still a low cost on the duty from Ireland. But once they become 'Products of the UK', suddenly they become a premium target for Customs duty.
It hardly seems fair, but that's the way it is! So, on these shirts, I have to charge $20.00 to $25.00 retail to make any money on them at all, whilst a consumer can go to Wal-Mart and get a similar-looking printed shirt, though not with the same graphics of course, for less than $10.00! My customers are paying $10 to $15 extra for the graphics and the 'Made in Scotland' label. The graphics are great, and my customers want Scottish-produced goods, and that's why I buy them. But it irritates me that I have to pay so much Customs duty just because they come from the UK.
Originally Posted by Thistle Stop
I have a range of T-shirts made with fabric loomed in Morocco (no duty on that), sewn in Ireland (depends on where they go, whether there's duty from there), and printed in Scotland (uh-oh, now we're talking a UK 'origin'). On $3000.00 worth of T-shirts (wholesale cost), I have to pay over $900.00 in Customs duty and brokerage. Ouch! If I just brought in the fabric from Morocco, $0.00. If I brought in blank shirts and had them printed here, still a low cost on the duty from Ireland. But once they become 'Products of the UK', suddenly they become a premium target for Customs duty.
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