US Customs discussion - airports, importing

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#871
I just came back from France and self declared.
I went through the regular immigration line as my kids don’t have Global Entry yet.
This time the agent seemed surprised that I answered yes: i purchased $X.
He was very nice and they took us through customs.
There the asked for my receipts.
One receipt was a bit confusing and I think they undercharged me. Also they often ask me to translate because they don’t speak French. 🤣
Their system spreadsheet of different codes is very complicated and sometimes they just round up.
They gave me a 4% rate (on jewelry, leather bags, silks and other things) so a discount. I paid that that was it. They were really nice and polite. I was happy.
The people behind me where very rude and yelling for their turn and I am sure that they didn’t get a discount!!!
The last time I also declared and the cashier wasn’t there. I never got a bill. The agent hinted that day that I may not receive it.
The previous time I got a bill.
I think when you self declare and are nice, they do take that in consideration.
 
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#873
Thank you for all your helpful comments and insights in response to my earlier post.

From Paris, we visited a few EU countries and just now went to see customs office in Munich airport. We are flying from Munich to London. We first checked in with Lufthansa, informed them one of the check(ed) bags had items that needed to be taken to customs office, got that bag tagged specifically for that, then went to customs office located before security for stamps and had the bag sent via their conveyor belt to be loaded on the flight from there. The officer sort of asked to see higher priced items but at the same time didn’t want both of us to go through the trouble of taking anything completely out of packaging and inspect them.

We finished submitting/processing VAT refund documents with global blue and planet tax free near our gate.

After visiting London, my DH will remain in Europe longer while I return to the US. My question is, can my DH keep some of the detaxed goods (some shirts and sweaters that are for him)? When I declare our purchases (all purchases are made under my name/passport including his shirts and sweaters), do I need to have everything with me and unused* or just having receipts would suffice?

In the matter of keeping items unused, is it till you see the customs office when departing or till you arrive in the U.S.?
 
#874
Kuma_Lisa said:
Thank you for all your helpful comments and insights in response to my earlier post.

From Paris, we visited a few EU countries and just now went to see customs office in Munich airport. We are flying from Munich to London. We first checked in with Lufthansa, informed them one of the check(ed) bags had items that needed to be taken to customs office, got that bag tagged specifically for that, then went to customs office located before security for stamps and had the bag sent via their conveyor belt to be loaded on the flight from there. The officer sort of asked to see higher priced items but at the same time didn’t want both of us to go through the trouble of taking anything completely out of packaging and inspect them.

We finished submitting/processing VAT refund documents with global blue and planet tax free near our gate.

After visiting London, my DH will remain in Europe longer while I return to the US. My question is, can my DH keep some of the detaxed goods (some shirts and sweaters that are for him)? When I declare our purchases (all purchases are made under my name/passport including his shirts and sweaters), do I need to have everything with me and unused* or just having receipts would suffice?

In the matter of keeping items unused, is it till you see the customs office when departing or till you arrive in the U.S.?
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I would advise you to take everything linked to your passport back with you.
Your husband can do his own tax back with his passport when he returns.
Don’t separate goods. Better not risk having either no tax back nor issues at your country if customs need to inspect the goods there too.
 
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#875
Kuma_Lisa said:
My question is, can my DH keep some of the detaxed goods (some shirts and sweaters that are for him)? When I declare our purchases (all purchases are made under my name/passport including his shirts and sweaters), do I need to have everything with me and unused* or just having receipts would suffice?

In the matter of keeping items unused, is it till you see the customs office when departing or till you arrive in the U.S.?
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To be safe, no he cannot. And, Yes, you need everything. For Hermes or Chanel, I find that everything needs a physical stamp, and the customs agent does want to see the high ticket items at least.

Really keeping items unused, I find this is a gray zone. I’ve used my bags and kept the tags for rtw, in case they need to see them with the receipts. No one has ever had an issue.
 
#878
880 said:
Some members report paying maximum customs. Not sure if one also has to pay state sales tax.
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That has been my experience also.

However, I have had the carrier make mistakes in the classification of the goods (especially glassware) , and when pointed out they have changed the calculation of duty. Still, the % used has always been the exact amount specified in the HTS.
 
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#880
Hi there, just returned from Europe and went through and declared a purchase from H. Unfortunately before landing I couldn’t find the documents for the rate list, but after a thorough read of this thread and reviewing the docs on CBP website, learned that they charged me above the rate I should have been charged at (9%). Has anyone ever experienced this, and if so, is there a way to appeal the rate paid? I was rather surprised because everyone was incredibly nice. The CBP officer acknowledged that it was a confusing process because the two items I purchased were taxed differently.
 
#881
hech3011 said:
Hi there, just returned from Europe and went through and declared a purchase from H. Unfortunately before landing I couldn’t find the documents for the rate list, but after a thorough read of this thread and reviewing the docs on CBP website, learned that they charged me above the rate I should have been charged at (9%). Has anyone ever experienced this, and if so, is there a way to appeal the rate paid? I was rather surprised because everyone was incredibly nice. The CBP officer acknowledged that it was a confusing process because the two items I purchased were taxed differently.
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You were charged 9% or charged above 9%? Leather is charged at 9% based on the tariffs table. Unless you get lucky and get a nice officer who is in a good mood who will charge a 3% flat rate. I normally get charged 3% flat rate at Newark but flew through Dulles recently and was charged the list rate of 9% for leather items.

And actually I think I was also overcharged (I think he forgot to deduct my $800 allowance) so if you find out how to appeal, I would love to know as well! I actually tried calling Dulles CBP but no one picked up the phone. 😬
 
#882
880 said:
Some members report paying maximum customs. Not sure if one also has to pay state sales tax.
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Just returned from Paris, chose to declare everything that we purchased ( as we normally due)& we paid a flat fee.
There was no additional state tax on items that normally would be taxable in the state where we live
Perhaps it depends on the customer officer & the time of day, but had no complaints at all
 
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#883
dls68 said:
Having just come back from Europe- especially if you do GE they totally know that you bought something and I was asked directly if I had something to declare. Honesty is the best policy!
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They used to always ask if you had something to declare - now they usually ask. Asking if you have something to declare is zero indication that the know ahead of time that you purchased goods over the amount of $800.
 
#884
Bdbunny said:
You were charged 9% or charged above 9%? Leather is charged at 9% based on the tariffs table. Unless you get lucky and get a nice officer who is in a good mood who will charge a 3% flat rate. I normally get charged 3% flat rate at Newark but flew through Dulles recently and was charged the list rate of 9% for leather items.

And actually I think I was also overcharged (I think he forgot to deduct my $800 allowance) so if you find out how to appeal, I would love to know as well! I actually tried calling Dulles CBP but no one picked up the phone. 😬
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Thank you this is helpful. Upon review of the table it appeared that leather goods were at a 8% rate. Alas, reading that lovely document/chart on my phone is not the easiest. Will pull it up on my computer to confirm. Seems I just got lucky with an incredibly nice officer who wanted me to pay the full amount!
 
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