farlymac
PF McFarland
I've read a lot of opinions on this, but decided to pull up a fact sheet PDF on the subject known as the "Harmonized Tariff Schedule (2018 HTSA Revision 2 (Posted 3-29-18))". All the way down in Section XVIII: Chapter 90: Pages 6 & 7, most if not all of the descriptions are listed as "Free" in the first section of Column 1 (General), and a list of abbreviations after "Free" in the second section (Special) which may be country designators. Then in column 2, which has no heading, it says 20%.
Anyway, DHL is holding a shipment for ransom until I pay a Duty, which I've never had to do this before. I do note that the PDF is of very recent posting, so maybe things have changed. I guess I also need to read the General Notes to find out how to read the Columns, and what all the abbreviations mean, but in general, most folks say that there is no Duty on camera gear imported to the USA, unless say, you are getting 100 Fuji XT-2's, which would be kind of hard to explain they are for personal use.
Any knowledge on this?
PF
Anyway, DHL is holding a shipment for ransom until I pay a Duty, which I've never had to do this before. I do note that the PDF is of very recent posting, so maybe things have changed. I guess I also need to read the General Notes to find out how to read the Columns, and what all the abbreviations mean, but in general, most folks say that there is no Duty on camera gear imported to the USA, unless say, you are getting 100 Fuji XT-2's, which would be kind of hard to explain they are for personal use.
Any knowledge on this?
PF
Beemermark
Veteran
Most likely DHL is holding your gear ransom to pay for them to inspect the contents of the package to ensure no duty is due. The fee is for them to open the package, look inside, and reseal the package. Old trick with all the private shippers. I've never had USPS do it, only FedEx & UPS. It's not duty (fee to the US government) but an added charge put on by the shipping company. Based on my some of my experience I don't think they even open the package. I always make sure shipments into this the US are by government mail services. The fee is outrageous (or was, it's been awhile). Generally triggered I think if the insured value is over some amount.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
I have been ignoring the emails from DHL about this same thing. Item is expected here Tuesday, will see what happens.
farlymac
PF McFarland
I got two phone calls from DHL informing me of the Duty, and directing me to go to their Web site to take care of it. Only problem is, you can't do anything on the site unless you have a commercial account with them. This is unlike UPS and FedEx which will let you register as a recipient. Their Tracking showed it as having cleared Customs in Cincinnati, and would be delivered by end of day, so I thought the phone calls were just the wrong message being sent.
I did however find an e-mail form to fill out on the site, which I designated as a complaint, and you had to give them your e-mail address, so this morning I received a notice which gave me a phone number I can call to resolve the matter. It didn't state what the amount of the Duty is though.
PF
sepiareverb
genius and moron
I'm supposed to pay $30.44, they've emailed and texted me. No phone call yet. My package came through Cincinnati as well. I've got a used Zeiss 50/2.8 for the Fuji X coming from Japan, from MAP Camera. I suppose I may have them send it back and ask it be sent by EMS which won't incur any fee.
farlymac
PF McFarland
Just got off the phone with DHL, and it seems the phone messages I was getting directed me to the wrong site. I needed to go to Delivery.DHL.com if I wanted to pay it. But I'll need to call their Customs department in Texas at 800-638-7668 to dispute the charges.
Your package will get to the nearest DHL Sorting Center where it will then be held, like mine is now in Greensboro, NC.
I did let them know their system is very confusing in that you get a call or e-mail saying you owe this duty, and yet the tracking system says it has cleared Customs, and everything is flowing right along. Not to mention being directed to the commercial accounts site instead of the delivery site (which has no link to the commercial accounts site).
We'll see Monday morning how this all plays out.
PF
Your package will get to the nearest DHL Sorting Center where it will then be held, like mine is now in Greensboro, NC.
I did let them know their system is very confusing in that you get a call or e-mail saying you owe this duty, and yet the tracking system says it has cleared Customs, and everything is flowing right along. Not to mention being directed to the commercial accounts site instead of the delivery site (which has no link to the commercial accounts site).
We'll see Monday morning how this all plays out.
PF
rolfe
Well-known
I may be wrong, but based on a recent experience with UPS, I think the carrier pays the duty and then collects from you. At least that is what I think happened, and that is probably why the tracking says it has cleared customs.
Rolfe
Rolfe
farlymac
PF McFarland
Yeah, that's pretty much industry wide practice to keep stuff from clogging up the airports. I just wonder what kind of country uses a Customs fee of 6.606%? If DHL had done their rounding properly, my Duty fee would have been another cent higher.
PF
Huss
Veteran
I've only experienced this with DHL which is why I would never use them again. I sent an F2 to Sover Wong in the UK for service, and on all the forms I wrote sending camera for service, will be returned. I forget the name of the form at the moment.
DHL ignored it on the return and tried to bill me. They acted as if I bought a new camera. I disputed it with them, they refused saying there was nothing to do. I refused their refusal (!) and told them it was their fault that they ignored all the correct paperwork.
In the end they relented, and I was not billed. I told Sover about this (he was unaware) and he said he would not use DHL again.
For items I've purchased abroad, real actual purchases, I've never had import issues. But the others never sent with DHL.
DHL ignored it on the return and tried to bill me. They acted as if I bought a new camera. I disputed it with them, they refused saying there was nothing to do. I refused their refusal (!) and told them it was their fault that they ignored all the correct paperwork.
In the end they relented, and I was not billed. I told Sover about this (he was unaware) and he said he would not use DHL again.
For items I've purchased abroad, real actual purchases, I've never had import issues. But the others never sent with DHL.
sepiareverb
genius and moron
Just got a FINAL REMINDER that payment is due.
krötenblender
Well-known
DHL: Worldwide German standard service - which is equivalent to no service at all...
I say that as a German, often having no other choice, since they are #1 here by far in Germany. Crappiest "Service" imaginable.
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Sumarongi
Registered Vaudevillain
The original founders of that DHL were actually Muricans. One of them a particular piece of ......, see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Hillblom#Paternity_controversy
krötenblender
Well-known
Also Wikipedia: "DHL Express[2] is a division of the German logistics company Deutsche Post DHL "
Whoever the founder was, it is a German company now. First thing "we" do here, when founding/buying a company ist getting rid of anything related to customer service.
Here in Germany, DHL sends you a letter, that your item is at the customs office and that you can get it there, if you want it. They also offer, to get it for you and pay the customs duties - for only about 24€ "service" fee...
Whoever the founder was, it is a German company now. First thing "we" do here, when founding/buying a company ist getting rid of anything related to customer service.
Here in Germany, DHL sends you a letter, that your item is at the customs office and that you can get it there, if you want it. They also offer, to get it for you and pay the customs duties - for only about 24€ "service" fee...
Beemermark
Veteran
still think you are paying "fees" and not duty - see
https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/internet-purchases
From the above page -
Courier Shipping: Goods shipped by courier, express, or other commercial service usually are expedited through CBP by a customs broker hired by that commercial service and then delivered seamlessly to your door. Customs brokers are not CBP employees. There are a number of different charges associated with these services, including shipping and handling, the fees charged by the service for clearing the merchandise through CBP, as well as any Customs duty and processing fees that may be owed on your importation.
Generally, even for new items, no duty is paid for private purchases less than $2500.
i also think if you don't pay up your items will be probably sold at auction.
https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/internet-purchases
From the above page -
Courier Shipping: Goods shipped by courier, express, or other commercial service usually are expedited through CBP by a customs broker hired by that commercial service and then delivered seamlessly to your door. Customs brokers are not CBP employees. There are a number of different charges associated with these services, including shipping and handling, the fees charged by the service for clearing the merchandise through CBP, as well as any Customs duty and processing fees that may be owed on your importation.
Generally, even for new items, no duty is paid for private purchases less than $2500.
i also think if you don't pay up your items will be probably sold at auction.
Not all camera gear is duty-free as can be seen in the harmonized code database.
Many items that are dutiable, will come through without any duty or brokerage fees if the items are shipped to an individual via postal service.
If the items are shipped via Fedex/UPS/DHL, there may be a brokerage fee as well as duties collected.
The correct harmonized code is important for any items that have no duty that are shipped via F/U/D.
What is the item on your shipment, and can you find out what harmonized code they used?
If the item is indeed not dutiable you may find success contacting the shipper and having them correct the customs documents with the proper harmonized code.
Many items that are dutiable, will come through without any duty or brokerage fees if the items are shipped to an individual via postal service.
If the items are shipped via Fedex/UPS/DHL, there may be a brokerage fee as well as duties collected.
The correct harmonized code is important for any items that have no duty that are shipped via F/U/D.
What is the item on your shipment, and can you find out what harmonized code they used?
If the item is indeed not dutiable you may find success contacting the shipper and having them correct the customs documents with the proper harmonized code.
farlymac
PF McFarland
Paul T.
Veteran
Good luck.
I had a dispute with Fedex about books sent to me from the USA, on which VAT was charged. They are not liable for VAT. They withdrew the charge but still charged their service fee. I refused; it took a long time but they backed down.
A second time Parcelforce had done the same on a repair; I took the outward invoice into their office, and again they tried the service charge. I refused, being incredibly polite all the way, and because there was a huge queue behind me, again they backed down.
Obvioisly this is anecdotal, but if there's no customs charges, they seem to be on hazy legal ground charging a collection fee. Well worth disputing. Let us know how you get on.
I had a dispute with Fedex about books sent to me from the USA, on which VAT was charged. They are not liable for VAT. They withdrew the charge but still charged their service fee. I refused; it took a long time but they backed down.
A second time Parcelforce had done the same on a repair; I took the outward invoice into their office, and again they tried the service charge. I refused, being incredibly polite all the way, and because there was a huge queue behind me, again they backed down.
Obvioisly this is anecdotal, but if there's no customs charges, they seem to be on hazy legal ground charging a collection fee. Well worth disputing. Let us know how you get on.
MikeChong
oldskhool
DHL or anyone else other than United States Customs is permitted to open your parcel. Your item is a low risk importation, so other than value, Customs is not that concerned about it. US Customs may be assessing duty and tax, but for sure DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc are charging you a broker fee to clear your goods and then possibly assess D&T on behalf of US Customs for importing an item from outside the USA. USPS does not charge a broker fee, but may charge you a nominal handling fee if the item is sent to US Customs for further inspection.
farlymac
PF McFarland
True. But as pointed out earlier by Mark, items under $2500 are usually not subject to Duties. DHL is paying the Duty anyway so they can collect Brokerage fees later on. It's legal, but a scam none the less. I have never had this issue with any other carrier, and I've been buying overseas for the last 15 years.
I ordered another lens last night, and this morning I find out unfortunately it's coming from Japan on DHL. Odds are I'll have to dispute that shipment too.
PF
raid
Dad Photographer
Keep it simple, and just stay away from such carriers.