Kilts and Customs Fees

[Mychael Sporrano]

Hi, Alan-

It is nice meeting you.

I have had extensive experience dealing with duty on goods of UK origin. First off, my experience is such that DHL ALWAYS charges a duty, even if a duty is not owed. I have a theory that they do this because in collecting a duty for US Customs they get to pass along a $5 fee to the customer, but this is only a theory. I have in the past given in and simply paid DHL, but presently I am being charged duty a second time on a pair of kilts that were returned for alteration to Kinloch Anderson when the kilts were made incorrectly. THis one I have been fighting. My advice here is to make sure that your supplier does not use DHL.

Where the US Postal Service is concerned, I have noticed that parcels under $100-$150 US pass through unnoticed.

Something to consider is Geoffrey/TFCK. If you order a kilt or jacket, etc. through them and take advantage of their once monthly bulk ship to North America [United Parcel Service], there is no shipping charge whatsoever. Just as good, there is also no duty to be passed along. I just looked at last year's price list- a poly viscose kilt [7 yard] is $280. A heavy weight traditional is $530 using their stock range of fabric. Those are fair prices, and the quality is great. I have so far purchased a pair of heavy weight wool casual kilts, one kilt in Dark Island tartan, and a GT Doublet. All were perfect, plus they are a fun company to deal with.

I haven't always taken advantage of their once monthly shipping. The standard route [USPS] has worked as well, really didn't cost much more as I recall, and still had no duty attached at its end. The latter was luck, though. I prefer the once monthly method.

Mychael

[Geoduck]

I had that experience w/ DHL, a random extra $40 or so. I was a bit perterbed, but I'm not sure what recourse I had, I paid it and a month later I recieved the same bill again, which I didn't pay. Anyhow, I wasn't informed of this by Hector Russel, but the salesman may not have known.

[Mychael Sporrano]

I dug up this old thread detailing my exploits with US Customs, a sort of start-to-finish story. It is a lengthy, albeit fairly thorough account that could answer questions.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...0&page=1&pp=10

Mychael