Made in Scotland kilts, shipping, taxes and third party vendors

[George T Logan Jr]

I am still pondering my purchase of my first kilt. I intend to buy a full Prince Charlie in the Modern Colors, and an Argyl in Ancient colors, both pleated to the stripe, or no stripe.. The kilts will be 8 yard premium, no top stitching, and 13 - 16 oz. I am curious as to how much it will now raise the prices of imported kilts due to extra tariffs and the shipping from Scotland too. As well, I am wondering how much VAT would be charged by the British Government... I have only one person who could critique my choices, a friend and his wife, both directly from Scotland, and he's a nine yard kilt wearer! He offered to line me up with a good shop in Scotland. He also advised me that in the Mid-Atlantic states, I really do not need a 16 oz, that 13 oz would be cooler and more comfortable! LOL I'd appreciate any information or advice that you all are willing to share!

[Touchstone]

If the international option becomes too complex or costly, there are a some very good kiltmakers in the US, including some of this site's advertisers.

[ShaunMaxwell]

I'm a little confused by what you mean when you say that you intend to "buy a full Prince Charlie in the Modern Colors, and an Argyl in Ancient colors," as a Prince Charlie and Argyll are types of jackets. I'm assuming you're planning on buying kilts in different colorways to wear with each of the jacket types. That said, if you're actually planning on purchasing tartan jackets to match, I'd love to see the final products! (I'll admit to having a tartan Argyll myself! )

I can't speak to the impact of tariffs on your purchase(s), but it's my understanding that when you order goods from the UK and have them shipped to the US, you will not be charged UK Value Added Tax (VAT). The VAT is a UK consumption tax, and goods for export are typically "zero-rated," meaning the tax is set at 0%. I've purchased a few kilts from UK makers and have never been charged VAT. A little online research will likely give you a definitive answer.

As for your location in the one of the Mid-Atlantic states, and a subsequent need for a lighter weight kilt, I'd say it won't make a noticeable difference. I live in Southeast Texas where it is well and truly hot and extremely humid nine months of the year (we're still in the 90°s in mid-October). All of my kilts are 16 oz., apart from one in which the tartan was only available in 13 oz. The only major difference I notice is that the front apron of the 13 oz. kilt is more prone to wrinkling with wear than the 16 oz. kilts. If you're concerned about heat, then consider a lower yardage kilt. My lightest and most comfortable kilt is a 4-yard box pleat kilt made some years ago by Matt Newsome.

And I second the opinion that you can have an excellent kilt made in the US without having to worry about tariffs or VAT.

Good luck in your research/acquisition. Looking forward to photos of your purchase(s)!

Cheers,

SM

[George T Logan Jr]

I actually meant that I intend to purchase two complete outfits. One with the PC Jacket and the other with the Argyl jacket, and with the two colors of my tartan, ancient and modern. After I bought a vintage watch from Japan for one hundred dollars and then paid sixty dollars duties and tariffs, I'm a bit reluctant to buy without full disclosures of costs! LOL

[George T Logan Jr]

I am also glad to know that the 13oz tends to wrinkle the apron more, that's good to know! Thank You.

[Pleater]

The lower end of the market for all things being supplied to the US has just about collapsed due to the removal of the exemption at the end of August, now everything is in the system.

Spare parts for knitting machines, patterns, garments, even samples have all lost the exemption - I just got a load of linen fabric after an order was cancelled that had been ongoing for years, regular as clockwork, as the business in the US expected the tariff and fees to be paid by the seller with no increase in price - then cancelled when that was refused.

The workshop is closed, sewing machines sold and everything cleared out so there is no going back to what it was.

Goods for export from the UK are zero rated for VAT but can be charged whatever the importing country decides to impose in the way of tariffs, duty, or fees when they arrive.

Anne the Pleater

[CBH]

I bought a kilt from Houston's earlier this year, and their current prices seem about the same. And when they ship internationally, there is no VAT.

I'm not sure how or if customs are applied as it enters the US.

[Jock Scot]

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And I second the opinion that you can have an excellent kilt made in the US without having to worry about tariffs or VAT.

,

SM

Purely out of interest, are you talking about kilts made from wool, or, are you talking about kilts made from synthetic cloth?

[kilted redleg]

I hope this website helps you https://www.simplyduty.com/import-calculator/
You can always play around with numbers to get an idea of prices.

[geomick]

Purely out of interest, are you talking about kilts made from wool, or, are you talking about kilts made from synthetic cloth?

There are kiltmakers here in the USA making wool kilts. They typically use Locharron, House of Edgar, or Marton Mills as the supplier for the Tartan cloth. I don't believe there are any USA-based weavers making Tartan anymore (Pendleton wove nice wool Tartans back in the 1980s)