How to Transport Crazy Haul from Europe

[yazj42]

Hello Lovely people! So a few days ago I was browsing YouTube, and a YouTuber I used to watch ( but stopped Bc her hauls got nauseating) recently went to Paris and went on an almost obsessive compulsive manic shopping spree. Anyways, the amount of stuff she brought back to the US was insane. Multiple Chanel, LV, Hermès shoes bags clothing, all in their boxes. My questions are:

1) how can she bring all this stuff to the US without being taxed? She claims she bought it all in Europe Bc it’s cheaper ( which is true) but wouldn’t bringing in so much goods into the US be heavily taxed?
2) how did she pack all the bags and boxes?

People have repeatedly asked her these questions on her instagram, but she has ignored the questions. Any idea? I was just curious how the tax situation works.

 

[the_black_tie_diyer]

Hi!

I can't say anything on the tax issue.

My guess is that someone with enough $ to buy "multiple Chanel, LV, Hermès (...)" will also have the $ to check another suitcase or two if necessary.

But honestly, there are near endless possibilities:

Have boutiques ship it, use courier/logistics service, have the hotel ship it (I did that, when I bought a pair of shoes on a trip I had only my carry on luggage, and didn't want to deal with additional clutter). You can also bring suitcases, boxes/cases/crates to airlines for forwarding as air freight/cargo. (...)

It all depends on what you're willing to spend for this. If you want (additional) insurance, fast delivery ... But if it's really just all about saving $/ if the main concern was saving $, it was quite probably one of the least cost intensive services/options.

Some people are simply lucky. They don't (over) think potential risk/loss/damage, maybe because it never occurred to them, they just "do it" and it works out.

(Theft from checked luggage is a serious issue for example, especially because most common (included) insurances wouldn't cover the value of even just one Chanel, LV or Hermès item. So it also depends on if you have additional luggage insurance, maybe your CC comes with some sort of insurance/coverage for lost/stolen luggage ... Again, so many possibilities. )

(Last but not least, if "she" already owns products from the afore mentioned manufacturers, she could have stuffed everything in a suitcase or two and "box it up" at home for the video ... Eventually leaving boxes and bags behind after filming in Europe was finished - if that was part of a video. )

If she doesn't want to answer this kind of questions, which I can understand - it's a total guessing game.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[jellyv]

1, How do you know that any of that is true? The shopping spree, the authenticity of the stuff?

2. If by any chance this really happened, the duties would have been enormous, well offsetting any savings. So the "logic" being sold to viewers is completely bananas and easily discovered to be false. Spurious from start to finish.

 

[Pursedesbenz]

I was thinking the exact same question when I was watching a YouTuber with a MASSIVE Hermes Paris haul which is insane.

 

[alwaysadira]

I have a feeling I know which Youtuber ya'll are talking about. Whatever way she brought all of that stuff back to the US, she spent a ginormous amount that totally negates whatever VAT refund and "savings" she claims.

 

[bellebellebelle19]

I think we're all thinking about the same YTer! She has several videos, and probably spent $40k+ at Chanel, Hermes, LV, Dior, and Gucci. Her house is huge and they can afford 3 children while she's a stay-at-home mom, so I'm sure they're not hurting for cash. I'm no fakes expert, so I can't say if she just got a bunch of fakes, although she did vlog a personal shopping appointment at LV. I'm guessing she shopped so much because it's their anniversary (I think?) so perhaps her and her husband felt that this would be a special treat.

It would be pretty dangerous of her to try and smuggle in that crazy amount of designer goods and then make public videos about it. Perhaps she's waiting to make another video about how she packed them and then a video about customs, for more clicks? As other posters said, there are a lot of ways for people who don't care about saving money to have all the goods sent in.

 

[the_black_tie_diyer]

In my reply I was not referring to anyone specific.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[bellebellebelle19]

I have a feeling I know which Youtuber ya'll are talking about. Whatever way she brought all of that stuff back to the US, she spent a ginormous amount that totally negates whatever VAT refund and "savings" she claims.

Somehow I think for her all that talk was less about actually saving money and more about justifying her shopping spree to her viewers, herself, and/or her husband haha.

 

[daisy913]

For the US, there's a Harmonized Tariff Schedule available for anyone to look up and read. If you bring back goods over your $ limit, you are taxed at different rates, depending on each item. Ultimately, the tax you pay is based on multiple factors for each item, like what the material is, country of origin, where you're importing it from etc. The estimated tax for handbags is 8%. Depending on where the youtuber lives, 8% can be lower than her sales and/or luxury tax.

Customs suggests that if you are bringing in a large amount, you speak to a customs broker or import specialist to assist you. Making one mistake, like mis-classifying an item, can be costly. If she had her items shipped to her home, each company should have labeled her items with what is being shipped, the quantity, and the total value in USD. Customs would charge her once the goods are delivered.

 

[etoupebirkin]

I can’t speak to packing boxes etc.

But I have found when I have traveled and brought in over the limit items to the US that Customs officials appreciate honesty, organized receipts, patience and kindness. Make a customs official’s life easier and he or she’ll make it cheaper for you. BUT, the most I’ve brought in to the US was around $15K.

If you are bringing in $40K+ worth of Chanel, Hermes and Vuitton into the US. Allow adequate time to get the VAT refund at your departure city. Photograph everything prior to submission. And declare everything at Customs in the US. If you are caught cheating they will throw the book at you and you will pay huge fines. You will be on a watch list for eternity. There was a story in the Hermes sub forum about a woman who did not declare her croc Birkin. I think it was confiscated and she had to pay a huge fine to get it back. IMO, if you can afford to spend $40K+ on luxury goods, you can afford to pay the customs duties.

 

[tenKrat]

The YouTuber probably owns a Lear jet?

 

[Pursedesbenz]

Would the amount she saves on VAT even be less than the amount she’ll have to pay sending it over? I guess she does say that to justify spending that amount to her viewers by saying “Everything is cheaper in Europe”, but I doubt she’s anywhere close to having “middle class money” so the cost probably doesn’t matter but the fun of shopping in a different country.

 

[zen1965]

I hope this Lady is not too obvious about her home base. Otherwise she might attract the wrong crowd.
Anyway, not my cup of tea.

 

[mrceral]

I hope this Lady is not too obvious about her home base. Otherwise she might attract the wrong crowd.
Anyway, not my cup of tea.

She has a unique name and has shared where she lives, so it's not rocket science. She actually shops at my LV... the stuff isn't fake and she's really buying it; as to anything else, I have no idea.

 

[Stansgirl]

I am certain that her items are real. In the several recentYouTube videos that she posted were interactions with SA’s. The Hermès Paris Haul consisted of 3 Hermès purses, multiple twillies, Hermès ties, and many small leather items. The LV Paris haul included 3 purses, a LV coat, sneakers, Gucci Ace sneakers, Dior slingback heels and more small leather items. In the Chanel Paris haul she purchased 3 purses and a few other accessories. Not to mention she also purchased items for family members. The total spent had to be close to $100k. I am waiting on her to do a video on how she declared all of these items. All this while being preggers with her third child. I think her luxe shopping habit has turned into a mental disorder. Its a shame because I really love her personality and sweet family.