US Customs discussion - airports, importing
- Thread starter esyee
- Start date
It's the carrier that files with the state for use tax. I got a use tax bill for art purchases THREE YEARS after the purchase. FedEx had filed it. Since the purchases had actually gone out of Cali to our other home in a no-sales-tax state, I tried to prove this but to no avail. They charged me 10% which in this case was nearly $1K.
It's basically a state's way of saying "You thought you could get away tax-free, haha, we are going to charge you for USING the item". I am not usually one to complain a lot about taxation but it seems ridiculous.
I did think that if you paid duty, you would not be subject to use tax, but apparently I was wrong which seems even worse...
Yeah I had my accountant look into the situation, and unfortunately, I had to pay the use tax even though I paid duties already. Weird thing is that I had things shipped before from FHS by DHL, and I wasn't billed any duty or use tax. I think this shipment triggered something though because it was H china/homeware and a Birkin.
I think it's smart for folks to consider all these extra fees though, because it might not always be cheaper to fly and buy internationally in hopes of saving some $$$.
I swear i thought I was the only one that received a bill from fedex almost a year later...smh...oh welll
Yep! Assume the worst. I won't ever ship again unless it's priceless to me (this was a gift for DH that he really wanted as he LOVES Barenia, so, whatever it costs, it's ok).
just wanted to provide another experience update for anyone who travels to purchase H and ships back home to the US. I've already posted about my previous experience, but I again made a purchase from FSH and had it shipped to the US because it contained china (4 mugs). it also contained a pair of Oran sandals because I had absolutely no room to pack them. this was back in June 2015, and I just received a DHL invoice for $141.20 (includes a DHL service fee of 11 bucks). I was hoping I wouldn't be charged anything because it's a small delivery, but I guess once they have you flagged in their system, they charge you for anything you receive lol.
It was also a PITA to ship shoes because I had to complete a footwear worksheet in order for the package to clear customs. However, the worksheet asks ridiculous questions that buyers wouldn't typically know, like what percentage of the shoe is made from "x" material. It was so stressful because H provided no assistance in completing this. I will never ship shoes! My package was almost returned back to Paris, and I seriously thought I'd have to fly back just to pick up a damn pair of shoes.
It was also a PITA to ship shoes because I had to complete a footwear worksheet in order for the package to clear customs. However, the worksheet asks ridiculous questions that buyers wouldn't typically know, like what percentage of the shoe is made from "x" material. It was so stressful because H provided no assistance in completing this. I will never ship shoes! My package was almost returned back to Paris, and I seriously thought I'd have to fly back just to pick up a damn pair of shoes.
It's probably unrelated, but I just bought a moynat bag and have it shipped to the U.S from Paris, they have me fill out a CBP Form 5106, ask for my social, and it need to be clear for custom before they could deliver it. I was told it was because it exceeds the $2500. I bought some SLGs around 900 euros from paris last year and they billed me 15% customs after I received it. So it could be depended on the total amount of your goods.
I was talking to a tpf friend about this subject (customs at various airports) and it occurred to us that this might be an interesting topic.
I recently flew back from Paris through Detroit for the first time, as I typically come back through JFK. I was a bit surprised by the difference in the customs procedure -- I guess I thought it would be somewhat uniform -- and it made me wonder what other differences there might be at other airports.
So, here's my Detroit (DTW) experience:
General JFK experience:
Anyone else care to share their experiences with at other (or the same) airports?
I recently flew back from Paris through Detroit for the first time, as I typically come back through JFK. I was a bit surprised by the difference in the customs procedure -- I guess I thought it would be somewhat uniform -- and it made me wonder what other differences there might be at other airports.
So, here's my Detroit (DTW) experience:
- I used Global Entry coming through immigration, and as I was exiting, there was a customs agent to take my form. That was the first difference I noticed -- the Customs agent was before I got my luggage. I commented on it to the agent and she said, "no it's like this everywhere". Hmm.
- Because I was declaring in excess of the $800 exemption, she called someone over to escort me without my luggage to the customs area (which is after luggage pickup).
- I met with two other agents who took down my declaration information and looked at the item I declared (which I had carried on the plane). They were not unpleasant but they were not friendly at all and did not thank me for being honest.
- They asked if I had my receipt and also asked a lot of questions about other things I had purchased.
- One of the agents then escorted me to the luggage carousel to wait for my luggage. He stood with me until my luggage came down, and then escorted me back to the agent that had taken down my information.
- At this point they reviewed the precise calculation and charged me exactly what the rules specified. They did not give me any slack on the amount.
- I paid, went through another customs desk and I was done.
General JFK experience:
- I won't go into as much detail here, but suffice it to say that JFK customs has a whole different feeling to me and seems more flexible.
- You do not even see a customs desk until after you have picked up your luggage.
- After you have your luggage you take it with you to the customs area, present your global entry paper that shows you need to declare, and the agent has a conversation with you.
- In general, my experience has been that they don't charge on every purchase that they could charge for and that they are flexible in the percentage. One time they charged 3% versus the 9%.
- The customs agents are nice and express appreciation that you have declared.
Anyone else care to share their experiences with at other (or the same) airports?
Thank you, Sbelle.
At LAX, it is pretty much like at JFK. But they always asked me how much cash I carried. $10,000 is maximum amount we can carry.
At LAX, it is pretty much like at JFK. But they always asked me how much cash I carried. $10,000 is maximum amount we can carry.
I can report on Minneapolis (1x) and Phoenix (2x)
Minneapolis - I used global entry, acquired bags and went to customs agent. Agent was very friendly. My purchases were 2 bags, a few scarves and a bracelet. No exotic skins. He gave me the standard exemptions for DH and I combined. Then charged me for the bags only, I think it was 8%. He worked through the process with me and explained as he went. I paid at the window with CC.
PHX: first time -global entry, got bags, saw agent. It was a little chaotic as they just busted someone for drugs. Agent asked my value (it was a B std leather and CDC exotic). She said thanks for being honest and let me go without a duty. I think they were too busy to deal with it.
Second time - I went wild on the trip and had a couple of bags, clothes, shoes, jewelry etc. created an itemized listed for the agent while on the plane so they could charge as appropriate (leather bags, leather shoes, fabric shoes, etc) My list included euro (minus detax) converted to dollar. Global entry, bags, then agent. It was busy, lots of people around and agent asked value. I didn't want to disclose in such a public area and asked if we could step aside. He was more than happy to do so. Agent was very nice, thanked for being so honest. He took my list and went off to his desk. Came back about 5 minutes later and gave me a huge discount ("because you don't really know if that bracelet you bought is really gold, it could be fake") and didn't include a few items. DH was shocked and very happy! I ended up paying about 2.8%.
I'm all about flying through PHX now!
Minneapolis - I used global entry, acquired bags and went to customs agent. Agent was very friendly. My purchases were 2 bags, a few scarves and a bracelet. No exotic skins. He gave me the standard exemptions for DH and I combined. Then charged me for the bags only, I think it was 8%. He worked through the process with me and explained as he went. I paid at the window with CC.
PHX: first time -global entry, got bags, saw agent. It was a little chaotic as they just busted someone for drugs. Agent asked my value (it was a B std leather and CDC exotic). She said thanks for being honest and let me go without a duty. I think they were too busy to deal with it.
Second time - I went wild on the trip and had a couple of bags, clothes, shoes, jewelry etc. created an itemized listed for the agent while on the plane so they could charge as appropriate (leather bags, leather shoes, fabric shoes, etc) My list included euro (minus detax) converted to dollar. Global entry, bags, then agent. It was busy, lots of people around and agent asked value. I didn't want to disclose in such a public area and asked if we could step aside. He was more than happy to do so. Agent was very nice, thanked for being so honest. He took my list and went off to his desk. Came back about 5 minutes later and gave me a huge discount ("because you don't really know if that bracelet you bought is really gold, it could be fake") and didn't include a few items. DH was shocked and very happy! I ended up paying about 2.8%.
I'm all about flying through PHX now!
Dallas/Ft Worth must be an outlier. In the last 15 months I've been to Dubai curaçao and Paris three times. I've always declared I've exceeded the $800 on the kiosk. Then when speaking to the customs agent I'll tell them again I'm over the amount and they just wave me through without asking for receipts or to see the items. I've bought Birkins plus lots of LV each time in Paris. Hope my luck holds in May when I return to Paris. 
I'm adding DFW to my approved airport list when traveling back from Europe.Dallas/Ft Worth must be an outlier. In the last 15 months I've been to Dubai curaçao and Paris three times. I've always declared I've exceeded the $800 on the kiosk. Then when speaking to the customs agent I'll tell them again I'm over the amount and they just wave me through without asking for receipts or to see the items. I've bought Birkins each time in Paris. Hope my luck holds in May when I return to Paris.
Plus I can get direct flights most of the time, except when going to Central America.
