Customs fee?

[DarkMario616]

Hey I hope I post this in the right place. I'm looking at importing a statue that is selling for $372 with $90ish shipping from Australia. Comes out to $462. Origin of item is probably China. Made of polystone. I'm in New York.

Anyways I'm trying to find out how much customs really costs to import. I'm only considering this because locally the statue is probably gonna go between $525 to $575 plus shipping.

Thanks for any help!

 

[DarkMario616]

No one?

 

[Frozen]

Not sure this will help you out, but... My experience buying stuff over seas.... Never go through Fed Ex, they always hit you with custom fees. Also, always try to get the company, or whomever, to mark it as a gift.

 

[j97e1]

You don't pay custom fees when receiving goods in the US, no matter where they ship it from. I buy items from Australia, China, etc all the time. No customs.

 

[Frozen]

You don't pay custom fees when receiving goods in the US, no matter where they ship it from. I buy items from Australia, China, etc all the time. No customs.

Fed Ex does.... but yeah never had a problem from anyone else.

 

[DarkMario616]

Fed Ex does.... but yeah never had a problem from anyone else.

Really?

I always heard if it's over $200 you're hit with fees.

I think the company is shipping via..ECI or Express Courier International...no idea what that is. Appears to be DHL once it hits USA but not sure.

 

[Frozen]

Really?

I always heard if it's over $200 you're hit with fees.

I think the company is shipping via..ECI or Express Courier International...no idea what that is. Appears to be DHL once it hits USA but not sure.

I never got hit with any....Prices ranged from 1,300.00 to 80 bucks. I've used EMS, DHL, Singapore air... Never got charged. So I would say, you shouldn't have to worry about it..

 

[DarkMario616]

Cool. I'll probably place the order. You said you ordered from Australia so how was the wait? And did customs stop the package and inspect? Any damage?

 

[Frozen]

I had ordered twice from Aus. Through DHL within 5 days if I remember correctly.... Both were in good condition and neither looked like they were reopened.

Good luck on your order =)

 

[j97e1]

Most of my items arrive from Japan, China, or Singapore. Most came thru EMS, and never been opened by any border/customs agency. No feer either.
Most of the packages from Japan arrived within days, much faster that it takes UPS to deliver from the West Coast to me in Jersey.
It took about a week to receive an item from Australia, don't remember the carrier.
Oh, and I've never dealt with Fedex, shipping or receiving.

 

[DarkMario616]

Thank you guys. I think I'll try testing the waters with Australia. I doubt the fee if any will be more than 20 percent which is still bearable.

I've ordered a **** load from China and Japan but never more than $200.