European postal services pause shipments to US over tariff confusion

[SENC]

Follow-up on my previous post.  DHL finally got it figured out and seem to have calculated the duty fees more accurately.  But they also added a $17 fee of their own.  After inquiring further about this, DHL is charging 2%, or $17 minimum, for any duties they pay then collect from recipients.  Seems they're going to turn it into a bonus profit center.  I can't fully blame them, but will opt for other shippers until I find they're all doing the same.

[KnifeySpoony]

I'm optimistic for all you guys, but just a reminder that I didn't get my tariff charges until about a month after i received my items from caterham.

[wdb]

I am in the midst of transit of another package from the UK. This one was purchased from a business and is coming in via UPS. The item cost 582.50 GBP, about $933 at the time of purchase. Last week I received an email from UPS telling me that the item has incurred "import fees" to the tune of $1725.60 (!!!) of which a whopping $33.60 is brokerage fee. They will not deliver the package unless the fees are paid. I can pay online, or in some cases the delivery person can accept payments, but that incurs yet another fee.

 

Needless to say I have requested an adjustment. I sent along a copy of the invoice so hopefully sanity will prevail. I'll update the thread as matters move forward. 

[wdb]

Reply to my own post. I spoke with a human associated with UPS, after waiting only an hour on hold. He told me that the item was categorized with HS code 9903.85.68, which according to him describes the part as being made of aluminum and therefore subject to a tariff of 200% of its value. It's not aluminum, it's plastic, so I have begun the dispute process -- again, to yet another different email address.

 

Then I looked up the HS Code. Beware Russian aluminum...

 

Derivative aluminum articles that are products of Russia, or where any amount of primary aluminum used in the manufacture of the derivative articles is smelted in Russia, or where the derivative aluminum articles are cast in Russia, when such derivative articles are provided for in the headings or subheadings enumerated in note 19(a)(iii) to this subchapter, or notes 19(i), 19(j) or 19(k) to this subchapter, as applicable per the date of entry for consumption or withdrawal from warehouse for consumption, except any exclusions that may be determined and announced by the Department of Commerce

 

[Xhilr8n]

Thanks for keeping us informed.

[slowdude]

ordered an AIT sensor from UK. 35$ and $40 in tariffs. woooooooooo

[wdb]

The shipper is trying to tell me that the HS codes have changed. I'm thinking that is unlikely but maybe someone here knows? In the meantime I have watched my package arrive but was unable to keep it without paying the fees. Sigh.

[Xhilr8n]

2 hours ago, wdb said:

The shipper is trying to tell me that the HS codes have changed. I'm thinking that is unlikely but maybe someone here knows? In the meantime I have watched my package arrive but was unable to keep it without paying the fees. Sigh.

I know it hurt but gotta support your call.  Hopefully this is all a bump in our road and not a wash out of a bridge.

[SENC]

19 hours ago, wdb said:

The shipper is trying to tell me that the HS codes have changed. I'm thinking that is unlikely but maybe someone here knows? In the meantime I have watched my package arrive but was unable to keep it without paying the fees. Sigh.

Have you talked with the vendor to see how they completed the customs document for the shipper.  Could have been an error at the vendor... or, as in my recent case, could be that the shipper didn't input data from the submitted customs document correctly.  Either way, the vendor is likely the most capable (and interested) in helping resolve.