Jacket and waistcoat

[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.