Sending gifts from the UK to the US

[Deleted]

Sorry, I know this is a really dumb question, but I just want to make sure that I'm doing it right so that FIL doesn't have to pay duty on his birthday gift. 

I purchased a tie for £80 in the UK and I need to get it to the US by the middle of February. It's possible for the gift to be stuck in customs for a while if I send it royal mail, right? I should send it soon in case it has to sit for a while? Would I be better off sending it FedEx or UPS? 

The customs website is saying that duty has to be paid on all gifts over $100. 

Is there a way for me to pay the duty on his gift before sending it or should I just say the tie is valued at $100? 

Sorry for these dumb questions, my google skills seem to be failing me today. 

Thanks! 

[anna7602]

I would probably say its worth less. But don't tell the authorities I said that!

[aMrsin09]

I thought the US had a $1000 max.
I would write a much lower amount on the form and insure it for the £80.

Sent from my XT905 using proboards

[anna7602]

Jan 3, 2014 19:19:27 GMT -5 aMrsin09 said:

I thought the US had a $1000 max.
I would write a much lower amount on the form and insure it for the £80.

Sent from my XT905 using proboards

It's definitely lower. MIL got me a very nice leather bag a few years ago as a gift and had the merchant ship it directly from Europe. I had to pay a bunch of duties on it. Very annoying. 

[aMrsin09]

oops, Australia has the $1000 import level. The US has $800.

But if you are bringing the goods in yourself and declare the $800 level on the customs form in the airport, why would it be different if shipping a gift to the US?

[Deleted]

Jan 4, 2014 20:36:04 GMT -5 aMrsin09 said:

oops, Australia has the $1000 import level. The US has $800.

But if you are bringing the goods in yourself and declare the $800 level on the customs form in the airport, why would it be different if shipping a gift to the US?

I've never brought more in to the US than was allowable by customs, so I wasn't exactly sure how this worked. 

[frlcb]

Just say it is worth less, I would probably say $80, and put gift on it.

[allibally]

It will probably be fine as Royal Mail. It will be cheaper than ups and FedEx. Does England have fast vs not so fast rates. In Switzerland they called it A and B priority.

I haven't gotten any Royal Mail packages lately. But I'm getting 2 packages a month from Germany and they don't take too long to get to me. I've never paid customs fees. US has a pretty high allowance.

[GilliC]

Jan 4, 2014 20:36:04 GMT -5 aMrsin09 said:

oops, Australia has the $1000 import level. The US has $800.

But if you are bringing the goods in yourself and declare the $800 level on the customs form in the airport, why would it be different if shipping a gift to the US?

The limits can definitely be different depending on whether you're carrying things into the country or having them shipped in. In Norway, the duty-free limit for packages is around $30 (around $100 for gifts), but you can carry in something like $500+ worth of goods. I'm not sure why. I guess they figure that there are more legitimate non-commercial reasons for bringing things back when you travel.

[wise_rita]

Jan 6, 2014 8:32:42 GMT -5 GilliC said:

Jan 4, 2014 20:36:04 GMT -5 aMrsin09 said:

oops, Australia has the $1000 import level. The US has $800.

But if you are bringing the goods in yourself and declare the $800 level on the customs form in the airport, why would it be different if shipping a gift to the US?

The limits can definitely be different depending on whether you're carrying things into the country or having them shipped in. In Norway, the duty-free limit for packages is around $30 (around $100 for gifts), but you can carry in something like $500+ worth of goods. I'm not sure why. I guess they figure that there are more legitimate non-commercial reasons for bringing things back when you travel.

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(I believe you, it's just that no Norwegian abides by such tomfoolery.)

[GilliC]

Jan 12, 2014 3:40:53 GMT -5 wise_rita said:

Jan 6, 2014 8:32:42 GMT -5 GilliC said:

The limits can definitely be different depending on whether you're carrying things into the country or having them shipped in. In Norway, the duty-free limit for packages is around $30 (around $100 for gifts), but you can carry in something like $500+ worth of goods. I'm not sure why. I guess they figure that there are more legitimate non-commercial reasons for bringing things back when you travel.

1. 


2. 


(I believe you, it's just that no Norwegian abides by such tomfoolery.)

The shipping limit, yes! No one wants to pay the $40 "processing" fee for assessing and collecting the customs duty!

The carry-through-at-the-airport limit? Haha! No. We all know the limit is "as much as you can carry!" And the customs people only care about booze anyway! (I did worry a little when I carried three laptops and three iPads through! In addition to a new wardrobe and miscellaneous OTC drugs and groceries of course.)