Question about shipping festool from Germany to United States???

[sessler2013]

So I'm having a friend ship a couple new festool products to me, but heard from another person that there is a good chance that customs will seize it? Is this true?

If you were doing this how would you go about it to make sure all turns up well?

 

[Dan1210]

in the uk you would just have to pay the import duty, which usually outweighs any potential savings.

 

[mouppe]

They won't seize it, but you may have to pay duty. I would ask your friend to use a courier that can be tracked such as Fedex, DHL or UPS. Usually the big courier companies collect duty on behalf of the Customs Office, so when they arrive at your door you will have to pay them the necessary fee to release the goods.

Naturally, they also charge a brokerage fee for this "service."

I've imported similar goods hundreds of times. Sometimes you pay, sometimes not, it's a murky set of rules.

 

[neth27]

in the uk you would just have to pay the import duty, which usually outweighs any potential savings.

The import duty is pennies (2.7%)  its the vat that gets you  [big grin],( thats from the states) importing from Germany there is no duty etc....

John..

 

[sessler2013]

Home much would a duty fee cost on Somthing that is about 150$ US?

 

[neth27]

http://www.dutycalculator.com/new-import-duty-and-tax-calculation/

 

[Birdhunter]

Are the items powered? Is yes, is there a voltage issue?

 

[jmbfestool]

Hate duty!!

I got my woodpecker square from the USA last week  had to pay £54 import duty and tax.

Then my Missus orderd some fabric from USA of similar value and didnt have to pay anything!!

SUCKS!!

 

[Makkus]

If your friend sends you a package, he has to declare the value of the goods he is shipping. Now, if he declares a value of less than $50 customs may not apply. However, if the package is checked and more valuable you could get in trouble and pay a fine in addition to the duty.  [crying]

Here is a useful link to see, in case you have to pay duty:

http://www.dutycalculator.com/new-import-duty-and-tax-calculation/

Mark

 

[jmbfestool]

Saying its second hand your friend can say a lower value reducing the cost.  Best sprinkle some dust on it so doesn't look brand new lol

Bad thing if it gets damaged or lost and needed replacing you can't claim the full value because you valued it less in the first place.

 

[ceddy]

There is actually not that much duty on most tools, but sometimes UPS and such will charge out of proportion brokerage fees. Its a crap shoot for sure. If you are shipping a huge amount of tools, then the more chances it will get "caught" in my experience. Cheers.

 

[tiralie]

I've imported similar goods hundreds of times. Sometimes you pay, sometimes not, it's a murky set of rules.

Particularly in Canada  [big grin]. I agree with Richard, if you value your time, use the carriers who have experience with import duty and pay them. Doing this yourself is a real hassle and takes a lot of time and running around.
Because of the drop in the value of the Euro. over the last 5 years, I have found importing tools from Germany to be no more expensive than importing from the US. It's not cheap. If you can't get it here and need/want it, it can work out ok.
Tim