U.S. customs

[ForresterModern]

At that price you'd be as cheap picking it up...

Actually not, unless you are also in the EU somewhere. Goods shipped outside the UK/EU are discounted by 20% as you do not have to pay the EU VAT of that percentage on finished goods. So even if you flew there to pick the outfit up, they would then have to charge you the sales price plus the VAT, and then you would still have to technically declare the goods when you entered into the US, and with that amount being over the typical daily allowance for a US citizen you would probably have to then pay the duty due on top of that. Double whammy that way.

It can really be a wash when ordering something like a kilt or jacket set or even bigger package. US vendors have to pay duty if they source the items from the UK, even on the raw tartan material if they sew it up themselves, although they avoid VAT. UK vendors give US buyers the VAT break compared to UK buyers, but then you have the issue of paying the duty yourself when it comes to the US, unless, as Steve pointed out, you can get it imported via Royal Mails or ParcelForce and it happens to pass through their system without getting dinged by duty, usually best for lower value items, although a single kilt or jacket set can be small enough package and valuation to sneak though. Just remember before you buy from whoever you decide to shop with to factor all the potential costs into the deal. Generally less hidden cost potential from a US vendor for a US buyer, but you can still find a deal from a UK vendor if you shop smart and insure that shipping is via Royal Mails. But it can really all be a wash in the end. Working directly with your kiltmaker is IMHO the best way to work, especially if you find one you like whose products meet your needs and whose prices fit your budget. If you work with one local, the added benefit of personal service, accurate measurement, and easier fix with any problems with the final product.

[madmacs]

I believe there's a form you can fill out to not pay the VAT...I can certainly remember many shops in Edinburgh offering VAT free shopping, although that was a few years ago and things may have changed.

From what I remember it was only worth doing if you were spending a decent amount of money, technically I guess you'd still be paying duty when you declared it coming back into the country though

[sydnie7]

I believe there's a form you can fill out to not pay the VAT...I can certainly remember many shops in Edinburgh offering VAT free shopping, although that was a few years ago and things may have changed.

From what I remember it was only worth doing if you were spending a decent amount of money, technically I guess you'd still be paying duty when you declared it coming back into the country though

In my experience, larger shops might offer the on-site no-VAT thing. Smaller shops not so much, you had to save your receipts and fill out one collective form during airport departure proceedings. It could be worthwhile but is totally separate from duty paid to your destination country.

[ForresterModern]

I believe there's a form you can fill out to not pay the VAT...I can certainly remember many shops in Edinburgh offering VAT free shopping, although that was a few years ago and things may have changed.

From what I remember it was only worth doing if you were spending a decent amount of money, technically I guess you'd still be paying duty when you declared it coming back into the country though

As Sidney says larger stores Vat-free your purchases up front if they know you are a tourist taking them out of country but many/most merchants do not. And if not the refund only works for purchases over a certain value per receipt. And you have to fill out separate paperwork, collect your receipts, and have them all stamped by VAT officials at the airport, which you have to locate in the airport and they are often pretty well hidden or only one per airport and not necessarily in the same terminal as your outbound flight, and then you drop it off and pray you got all the paperwork right as they have to process it and you have to wait weeks if not months to have it refundd to a credit card, so it can be a real PITA inconvenience to try to get your VAT refunded. Been there, tried that on several occasions in several different countries, always found myself in the wrong place or at the wrong time to be able to accomplish the deed and get my VAT refunded except one time when it took me over an hour and a half locating the service booth in a different terminal, standing in line, trying in English to get the Spanish speaking attendant to explain why many of my reciepts were inadequate or inadequately filled out to be valid, all for about $40 US refund in the end. Unless it is a fairly sizable amount of money, and you plan in advance to spend the time and effort locating the VAT service desk to file your refund request at the departing airport before flying out of the country, you can likely kiss your VAT goodbye as you pay it. So if you are going to make a sizable purchase, ask for VAT free sales up front, or if that is not available then make sure to get extra copies of your receipts and the proper paperwork filled out in advance of departure, and plan on at least an extra hour or two at the airport prior to departure to make sure you can find the VAT service desk there and file your paperwork and have it stamped and validated by them. Some places may be easier than others, but most IMHO are not simple or quick.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I hope people remember this when they wonder why kilts imported by US retailers are sometimes a higher cost than from UK sources. It is because your US retailer has paid the cost of shipping and customs fees (and brokerage fees) on that kilt and therefore has added the cost into the retail price. BUT the up side is that YOU KNOW HOW MUCH YOUR KILT WILL COST. Especially considering that many US retailers offer free shipping on kilt purchases. The cost you see listed for the kilt will be the cost you pay, no surprises.

Whenever you import something into this country, it is always safe to assume you will have to pay customs. That way you can be pleasantly surprised if/when you don't have to.

[Tobus]

And just because something is scottish doesnt mean its definitely better...

Well, I did hear a wise man say, "If it's not Scottish, it's cr@p!"

[artificer]

Well, I did hear a wise man say, "If it's not Scottish, it's cr@p!"

True, but he said it in a cartoon accent, so it should probably be taken with a grain of salt

ith:

[unixken]

Whenever you import something into this country, it is always safe to assume you will have to pay customs. That way you can be pleasantly surprised if/when you don't have to.

Exactly... hence, the 25% I factored in to my budget. I'm hoping to be "pleasantly surprised", but not counting on it.

[shannon]

This is one subject I have never even concidered in cost allowances...
but here's a hypothesis: let's assume I have a commercial kilt business located in Canada & source my materials from those little islands with sheep who just happenly helped colonized Canada who probably has a current free trade agreement with the motherland & then uses USPS to ship a completed kilt over the border to the USA because of the North America Trade Treaty; then in theory there will be no excise taxes to collect?
Did I assume correctly?

[creagdhubh]

In all fairness, Customs itself was a racket long before UPS and FedEx existed. Heck, even before the continent of America was discovered, customs officers (or excisemen) were stealing from people just because they could.

And we wonder why so many of our Scottish forefathers were accomplished smugglers...

Agreed. I always have my supplier(s) send my Highland attire items via Royal Mail (Small Packets)/regular postal service, or perhaps another way that isn't FedEx, UPS, or DHL. The Highland dress companies in which I have chosen to do business with over the years know me, and we have developed a rather unique relationship, so I am quite sure this is why they agreed to help me avoid ridiculous U.S. customs fees.

I sympathise with you mate,