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Import Tax Question

Submarinerblue

Submarinerblue

Joined
Dec 31, 2017
Messages
296
Points
158

I received a model kit from Europe by FedEx over a month ago. I was not charged any import tax at the time
Today I got an email from Fed Ex asking me to pay a $37 import tax for that package. At first I thought it could be spam or fishing, but when I clicked on it it showed the name of the authentic sender and a picture of the delivered package on my front stoop.
So, I have three questions:
Weren't Trumps tariffs overturned?
Why are they charging me a month after delivery?
What happens if I don't pay it? Are they going to report me to the IRS or just keep dunning me for the $37?
 
I had the same experience with a package which I ordered from Greece and a couple months later received the notice from FedEx. I too was concerned that it was some type of spam however after checking with FedEx directly I sent payment. This day age it's always wise to verify before sending money.
 
This was happening before tariffs. Tariffs have just added to it. I have been assessed a customs charge of $6 and had FEDEX add a $12 processing fee. When a parcel arrives at the FedEx or UPS hub in the USA, there is a " clearing house " that it passes through that determines the fee you are assessed or not assessed.....it can vary. I ship other things than model ship kits.....I have found a lot depends on the declared value and the individual processing the item through the clearing house. The only consistency is that they want your money!
 
I've never been shy to deliver my speculation on things. Granted, it's based on LOTS of import experiences with various couriers that handle international imports (FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc.)... and it's also based on my experience getting items shipped into Canada, but here goes:

The bill may consist of a combination of regular sales tax for your state/region, coupled with brokerage handling fees that the courier company charges to get the package cleared through import customs. That brokerage handling fee can range from as low as $20 CAD to has high as $35 CAD. So, if you look at the detailed breakdown of charges, I think that's what you'll see. It may incorporate existing tariffs that were in place before Trump, or maybe it includes new tariffs.

What I find surprising is that they billed you after delivery. Normally what I see is that I get an email from the courier telling me that import and processing fees are due and require payment before delivery is made.

If you have even the slightest doubt that the charge is legitimate, I'd recommend calling the courier's 1.800 number and provide them with your tracking number so they can confirm if the charges are legit, and potentially answer any additional questions you may have about them.
 
This isn't about tariffs per se, it's about something called the de minimis exemption.

It used to be that Americans could import an item valued at $800 or less without paying a duty.

That changed last year so that the de minimis exemption is now much lower, only $100.

The long and the short of it is you're paying a duty on something that used to be duty free but this is not directly related to the massive issue of tariffs on a range of products being imported from foreign countries.

Also, many foreign postal services are (or at least were) refusing to accept parcels destined for the USA unless the value was $100 or less. That's because the duty had to be pre-paid. Why pre-paid? Because US Border and Customs Agents didn't want to deal with the duties that had to be collected on the massive number of parcels being shipped to the US every day and foreign postal services also didn't want to have to set up as collection agents. So many foreign postal services obliged shippers to use a private company (FedEX, UPS, etc.) if the value of the item was in excess of $100.
 
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DHL sent me a notice that I have to pay $21 within the next week or the item will be returned to the sender. So I paid and in 3 days the kit was at home. This was last September.
 
Before tariffs, I would get a bill from FEDEX after the fact stating that they had been paid on my behalf and I owed them that amount plus their processing fees. After the tariffs, I now get a request for payment before delivery.
Recently, I had an item shipped from the UK. The brokerage company charged me the tariff fee ($785) for the EU(15%) not the UK(10%). (This was before the flat 15% recently imposed). So, I sent them an email asking for the 5% overcharge....totally ignored. It can be frustrating.
 
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