Jacket and waistcoat

[User]

I think you might be doing yourself a disservice here, and making assumptions through a fear of the unknown.
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The taxes and tarrifs you fear apply essentially to large commercial importers, who will be buying in bulk, shipping in packed containers and selling on for high profit.
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I frequently send items across the Atlantic, and have never known an item to be surcharged after passing through US customs.
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I[t] couldn't be easier.

Just as a follow-up for anyone else who stumbles on this thread, I decided to take the plunge and order directly from Lochcarron in Scotland. I wasn't given a choice in courier; they shipped via UPS. Several weeks after receiving my package from Lochcarron, I received a surprise bill from UPS for a 25% tariff plus a $25 brokerage charge. So no, tariffs don't "apply essentially to large commercial importers". Although, after looking into it further, I perhaps could have avoided the tariff charge if I kept the value of my order under $800, which might have qualified for a "de minimis" exemption. I wish I had known, as I could have saved myself hundreds of dollars. This an example of one of the unknowns I was concerned about, and I was absolutely right to be concerned because it came back and bit me.

If you're reading this in the future, be aware that it is my understanding that the US government is currently trying to do away with de minimis exemptions, so I don't know what your experience will be.

[Troglodyte]

Just as a follow-up for anyone else who stumbles on this thread, I decided to take the plunge and order directly from Lochcarron in Scotland. I wasn't given a choice in courier; they shipped via UPS. Several weeks after receiving my package from Lochcarron, I received a surprise bill from UPS for a 25% tariff plus a $25 brokerage charge. So no, tariffs don't "apply essentially to large commercial importers". Although, after looking into it further, I perhaps could have avoided the tariff charge if I kept the value of my order under $800, which might have qualified for a "de minimis" exemption. I wish I had known, as I could have saved myself hundreds of dollars. This an example of one of the unknowns I was concerned about, and I was absolutely right to be concerned because it came back and bit me.

If you're reading this in the future, be aware that it is my understanding that the US government is currently trying to do away with de minimis exemptions, so I don't know what your experience will be.

Yes, knowing what the taxable threshold is can be useful. One cent over, and you get stung..!

The trick is to ask the sender to send in more than one package, so they stay below the limit. Shipping charges are naturally lower for less expensive and lighter weight contents.

It is important to remember NOT to ask the sender to mark down the value of the item. Any documentation must show the true value - especially if compensation for loss is ever required - and there may be other penalties if things go wrong.

All kinds of things are uncertain at the moment, so it may be worth getting in quick, and stocking-up while you can.

[bookish]

Just as a follow-up for anyone else who stumbles on this thread, I decided to take the plunge and order directly from Lochcarron in Scotland. I wasn't given a choice in courier; they shipped via UPS. Several weeks after receiving my package from Lochcarron, I received a surprise bill from UPS for a 25% tariff plus a $25 brokerage charge. So no, tariffs don't "apply essentially to large commercial importers". Although, after looking into it further, I perhaps could have avoided the tariff charge if I kept the value of my order under $800, which might have qualified for a "de minimis" exemption. I wish I had known, as I could have saved myself hundreds of dollars. This an example of one of the unknowns I was concerned about, and I was absolutely right to be concerned because it came back and bit me.

If you're reading this in the future, be aware that it is my understanding that the US government is currently trying to do away with de minimis exemptions, so I don't know what your experience will be.

That is unfortunate. I have been sitting on a kilt order, but this news has spurred me on to get in an order before the kilt shops in the US make adjustments to their prices to correct for the annual price adjustments being set by mills, and for the margin hit that tariffs will make. I'm not sure what the de minimis exceptions are in the US, so I'll need to look into that. If I have to pay $30+ dollars shipping per item to skirt a 25% tariff and fees, I surely will.

[bookish]

Just as a follow-up for anyone else who stumbles on this thread, I decided to take the plunge and order directly from Lochcarron in Scotland. I wasn't given a choice in courier; they shipped via UPS. Several weeks after receiving my package from Lochcarron, I received a surprise bill from UPS for a 25% tariff plus a $25 brokerage charge. So no, tariffs don't "apply essentially to large commercial importers". Although, after looking into it further, I perhaps could have avoided the tariff charge if I kept the value of my order under $800, which might have qualified for a "de minimis" exemption. I wish I had known, as I could have saved myself hundreds of dollars. This an example of one of the unknowns I was concerned about, and I was absolutely right to be concerned because it came back and bit me.

If you're reading this in the future, be aware that it is my understanding that the US government is currently trying to do away with de minimis exemptions, so I don't know what your experience will be.

On second thought, I wonder if that bill was not for tariffs. I don't think I see tariffs listed anywhere for clothing imported from the UK into the USA. I know that it's all a little wonky right now, but I wonder if there are other customs rules at play, here.

[User]

On second thought, I wonder if that bill was not for tariffs. I don't think I see tariffs listed anywhere for clothing imported from the UK into the USA. I know that it's all a little wonky right now, but I wonder if there are other customs rules at play, here.

I don't know. The bill says it's a tariff.

[bookish]

I don't know. The bill says it's a tariff.

I recall that the UK is no longer a member of the EU, and that EU is the target of the 25% tariff, so that seems inappropriate, unless I am missing something about Lochcarron as a business entity. You may be able to negotiate this, if you have the will. What an unfortunate situation.

[bookish]

Sorry to beat a dead horse. Here is the Harmonized Tariff Schedule for that Duty Class, because I was curious: https://hts.usitc.gov/search?query=5112.19.9560

I don't know when that gets updated.

[User]

Sorry to beat a dead horse. Here is the Harmonized Tariff Schedule for that Duty Class, because I was curious: https://hts.usitc.gov/search?query=5112.19.9560

I don't know when that gets updated.

Hah! I was about to post the same thing. This doesn't look like a new tariff, just a new-to-me tariff. I don't think fighting it will do any good.
I'd rather pay it and lick my wounds. Hopefully my negative experience will benefit someone by helping them avoid the same surprise.

Annoyingly, UPS won't process my payment online. I keep getting a message that the account number is invalid. I'll have to call them.