Paris VS US pricing
- Thread starter meghankkg
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We had this so often here; please do a search before posting.
Does not make sense to buy in Europe if you are truthful on your US use taxes which you are obliged to pay, if you cheat on them you may safe some 10 %.
Does not make sense to buy in Europe if you are truthful on your US use taxes which you are obliged to pay, if you cheat on them you may safe some 10 %.
Let’s assume you want to buy a Love bracelet.
Cartier in the US 6900 + Texas tax(is it 8% ?) = 7450
Cartier in France 7100 eur - VAT(it depends on the amount you spent) = 6250 eur or 6550 USD. So the bracelet would end up being 900 USD cheaper. I personally don’t know people who really pay import taxes on what they buy in the trips abroad. But you have to decide it for yourself.
Cartier in the US 6900 + Texas tax(is it 8% ?) = 7450
Cartier in France 7100 eur - VAT(it depends on the amount you spent) = 6250 eur or 6550 USD. So the bracelet would end up being 900 USD cheaper. I personally don’t know people who really pay import taxes on what they buy in the trips abroad. But you have to decide it for yourself.
It’s the first time in my life I hear about any kind of taxes on the items purchased by self for personal use. You have to declare expensive items, but taxes? Please, add a link where I could read about it, if it’s actually the case.
I don't know about Texas. But here's a link on California's use tax:
You will need to pay customs fees when entering the USA for any amount over $800 USD or $1600 if declaring a combined purchase with your spouse. They used to pass the declaration forms out on the plane prior to landing (I have not flown internationally post-pandemic), then there are lines to go through to present the paperwork and pay the amount due. It is not really possible to miss it, unless intentionally.
I flew internationally tens of times, never seen these lines, my husband never seen them either.
Upd. Just checked the form, it’s nothing about taxes there, just simple declaring of the items.
Not exactly. Normally you are right but HS CODE 71131100 is excempt from duties (0 %). Use tax still applies, though.
After a hiatus during the pandemic, it seems customs is back in business mode. I traveled to Europe twice recently and both times, I was flagged by customs after they asked if I made any purchases. I was truthful and told them everything that we bought. They took our passports and asked us to goto another section. There, the officer asked us the same questions. What did you buy? How much you spent. Do you have receipts? I’ve read that they now know everything that you buy since your passport is scanned during purchase. Not sure how true that is. No point in lying to avoid the taxes. If caught, they can fine you and take away the goods. And you’ll be flagged for life. Not worth the hassle IMO.
How do you not pay US Customs taxes? They make you fill out the form on the plane to declare all your purchases. Unless they are omitting their purchases on the form
which I would not do. I would be afraid of getting caught and it's not worth it. They threaten with jail time and who knows what else.
which I would not do. I would be afraid of getting caught and it's not worth it. They threaten with jail time and who knows what else.
When I returned from Paris to SFO on this past 6/5 I had truthfully filled out all my purchases I made in Paris. They were cross referencing everything with their computer screen so there was no point in lying. They took my passport and took me to another lane to check my receipts and compared it with their screen again. They were super interested in my Cartier purchases (Love Ring and Necklace). They didn’t check my purchases as they thanked me for being honest and then took me to another area to pay duties. I paid $870 total for duties on my total purchases of $22000.
But you may have also owed California +/- $2,000.00 in use tax. That's reported via the honor system on your California income tax return.
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Hello, I have the same question. thinking about buying a love bracelet in Paris or small JUC. But not sure how much one pays in duties and taxes when it's declared? The FX plus the 12% tax back make it cheaper, depending on how much we need to pat in the US when one declares the item?