Question on Import duty....

Bob13

I have an inbound numismatic package from DHL. I got a message saying that there was an import duty payment that needed to be paid - about 6% of the value. I've never seen this before. It's clear how I can pay the amount, but am I not sure that I should/need to pay it.

Is it a matter of talking to someone at DHL? Or does the sender need to do something?

Thanks in advance,
Bob

ELuis

Some packages from my coin purchases in Europe were delivered via DHL and then once made it to the USA it changed to USPS for tracking purposes. So far no issues, maybe it was the price that I paid or the coin does not require any export licence, I have seen this requirement, but I simply avoid buying those coins or items.

Let's see what other experiences others might have or comment about it.

pruebas

Coins are not subject to Customs duty entering the USA (except some Chinese coins, which are subject to tariff).

Either the shipper coded the package wrong on the Customs form, or there has been a mistake.

There is, however, a Customs processing fee for Formal Entry, independent of duty.

jt88

you can pay with your credit card online. DHL should tell you how to pay it. I did that before. I am not sure if you don't pay what will happen. For FedEx I has an account with them so they will charge to my credit card automatically. However, my friend never pay it. He just ignore it and FedEx still delivered the package to him. Hope this will help.

Bob13

Thanks all.

I spoke to DHL - a real person - who was actually really helpful. It sounds like the shipper provided the wrong harmonized tariff schedule number, so that my item was being assessed at 6% of its value.

I now need to dispute the categorization by providing the correct HTS number, photo of the item, and product literature (!). Hopefully that will do the trick.

ELuis

What Pruebas posted makes it clear for me.

For what I posted, I have seen in the UK only:
That some pieces are in the Portable Antiquities Scheme and one needs to go the export licence route and pay a fee, but yes that is on the UK side.

pruebas

@Bob13 said:
Thanks all.

I spoke to DHL - a real person - who was actually really helpful. It sounds like the shipper provided the wrong harmonized tariff schedule number, so that my item was being assessed at 6% of its value.

I now need to dispute the categorization by providing the correct HTS number, photo of the item, and product literature (!). Hopefully that will do the trick.

That’s what I figured. The correct code is something like 9705.00.0060.

(This schedule may have been updated. The Customs website is currently under maintenance.)

tcollects

that's right "items of numismatic interest"

Bob13

OK - so there is a little more to this story. The shipper did use "9705.00.00" for the code. Which, guess what - no longer is in the updated codes. Looks like the right code is 9705 to start, but then some additional modifier is needed, like 9705.31.00 - "collections and collectors' pieces of numistmatic interest" and "Of an age exceeding 100 years"

Apparently the shipper needs to file a corrected shipping invoice...