US Tariffs on Fabric Imports Question

[RockyR]

Back in the 1980s I worked for a few years at a Highland Outfitter who regularly imported kilts, jackets, cloth, etc.

The kiltmaker in Scotland we used would send us the kilts with the fringe not drawn, and we would take a comb and draw out the fringe ourselves. The reason was that a "fringed garment" had a higher tariff rate than a "wool garment". (I don't remember the exact wording of the different categories.)

That is 100% correct, OCR.

The customs value on a finished kilt is (I BELIEVE) either 12.5 or 15%

[Benning Boy]

Duties can be found here http://hts.usitc.gov/

It is difficult, for me anyway, to determine exactly what the tariff is on wool tartan cloth. There appear to be several options, with the duty seeming to be consistently either 7% or 25%. As I read it, if the tartan is imported as upholstery material the duty is lower than if the same fabric is imported for kiltmaking. Since the mills often describe their tartan as being suitable for upholstery one might want to have it shipped as upholstery fabric.

When I purchased from Marton Mills somewhat over a year ago tartan for Kilt Kamp I was charged no duty. So far, on my recent purchase of tartan from MM there has been no mention of a duty of any kind. It has yet to be delivered, so perhaps Uncle Sugar will get sour with me.

I purchased things from all over the world and have never been charged an import fee. Some of the things I've ordered could be considered contraband if describe in one way, and perfectly legal described another way. It's all in the wording. Never a duty paid. But, there's always a first time.

[Squeaky Horn]

Thanks everyone for their knowledge. DHL sent an email that the fabric cleared customs. Tracking shows they're awaiting payment before sending it on to the kilt maker. The duty and DHL's fee for paying it comes to roughly 27% of the seller's declared value.

[MacCathmhaoil]

I always try to have international shipments delivered via Canada Post, more often than not there is no duty/tax added on and when there is there are no additional fees such as those associated with the courier companies. Now I realize the practices of Canada Post are not those of the U.S. Postal Service but even if they do charge duty there should be no brokerage or handling fees added.

[notlob]

I'm about to pay $94 for 13.4 meters form Marton Mills, 16 oz., material, shipped via UPS. When I ordered from Fraser Kirkbright 12 years ago, it was shipped Canadian Post an i didn't pay any custom duties. I had read from an earlier thread about possible custom duties. Sometimes you get hit and sometimes you don't…..

[The Q]

I do wonder if the TTIP, USA / European free trade agreement if it ever gets agreed will make any difference to import taxes on kilt related purchases.

[RockyR]

I do wonder if the TTIP, USA / European free trade agreement if it ever gets agreed will make any difference to import taxes on kilt related purchases.

I for one would LOVE there to be a customs free trade agreement. It would help stretch company dollars much further.