Just received a VAT bill from FedEx for $1600 on a $5200 watch ???

[m j b]

I got hosed once on customs duties on a pair of shoes from the UK. They didn't fit, but I had paid so much in non-refundable duties, shipping, etc. that it was almost not worth sending them back for a refund. But I did.

On the other hand, I once bought a new Omega Speedmaster from Sweden (around $8K USA MSRP) and only paid around $60 duties via DHL, so I guess a lot depends on how they write the ticket, the shipper and perhaps karma?

[rickc007]

As an update, after chasing menu items and getting bounced around ...
The latest I received is FedEx is only taking disputes via email.
The provide 2 email addresses,
I sent to both ... see what happens

I will post the workign procedure once I figure out what it is

Did notice on the "Entry Summary" one item #35 "Total Estimated Value" is $11,263 ???
Wonder if that's the culprit, not sure where that number came from

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by rickc007

As an update, after chasing menu items and getting bounced around ...
The latest I received is FedEx is only taking disputes via email.
The provide 2 email addresses,
I sent to both ... see what happens

I will post the workign procedure once I figure out what it is

Did notice on the "Entry Summary" one item #35 "Total Estimated Value" is $11,263 ???
Wonder if that's the culprit, not sure where that number came from

That may very well be. Keep us posted

[rickc007]

Update ...

Thank you for contacting FedEx.

Your Dispute ID is xxxxx

Your request has been received and submitted to FedEx Logistics for continued processing. During this time, your dispute will be reviewed and will be submitted to US Customs for final resolution. FedEx Logistics will contact you directly if any additional information is needed prior to submission to US Customs. Once a resolution is received, correspondence will be sent to you directly from FedEx Logistics. If you have not already paid your invoice, we will place your invoice in dispute, which will stop collection activity until resolved.

The time frame for this process varies, but typically takes 90-180 days or longer depending on the complexity.

Thank you,
FedEx Revenue Services - Duty Tax Billing Team

[rajurama]

Originally Posted by rickc007

Update ...

Thank you for contacting FedEx.

Your Dispute ID is xxxxx

Your request has been received and submitted to FedEx Logistics for continued processing. During this time, your dispute will be reviewed and will be submitted to US Customs for final resolution. FedEx Logistics will contact you directly if any additional information is needed prior to submission to US Customs. Once a resolution is received, correspondence will be sent to you directly from FedEx Logistics. If you have not already paid your invoice, we will place your invoice in dispute, which will stop collection activity until resolved.

The time frame for this process varies, but typically takes 90-180 days or longer depending on the complexity.

Thank you,
FedEx Revenue Services - Duty Tax Billing Team

Goodluck , hopefully the Invoice value sent in the FedEx system is correct.

[Mifune]

I do think this import tax is STATE based... i have bought many pieces from Japan and have never gotten a bill.
Nevada

[Jim_K]

Data point.......two weeks ago I was in Rome and purchased a new Omega for ~$6000.

Had to pay about $125 in customs when I came through customers at the ATL airport.

Had a few other lower dollar purchases bundled in with that (sunglasses, shoes etc.), but the bulk was the Omega.

[rickc007]

Thanks for the input, I'm the OP
Turns out my 24 page bill had a bunch of other stuff on it ???
The new one they are re-submitting is 4 pages

I had to submit my Amex receipt and and other info for them to reconsider.

I would be elated to pay $125, specially after the sticker shock of the first bill ...

Originally Posted by Jim_K

Data point.......two weeks ago I was in Rome and purchased a new Omega for ~$6000.

Had to pay about $125 in customs when I came through customers at the ATL airport.

Had a few other lower dollar purchases bundled in with that (sunglasses, shoes etc.), but the bulk was the Omega.

[enjoythemusic]

$125 to $175 sounds about right.

[Jim_K]

Good luck OP!

[rickc007]

Thanks You

Originally Posted by Jim_K

Good luck OP!

[PabloJerry]

Any resolution? I'm curious how this ended up.

[rickc007]

The redid it, took out most of the mistakes, was still erroneous, but down to around $500
Was so annoyed I just paid it
Lesson learned, no more internation purchases for me

Originally Posted by PabloJerry

Any resolution? I'm curious how this ended up.

[SMD]

Originally Posted by rickc007

Thanks for the input, I'm the OP
Turns out my 24 page bill had a bunch of other stuff on it ???
The new one they are re-submitting is 4 pages

I had to submit my Amex receipt and and other info for them to reconsider.

I would be elated to pay $125, specially after the sticker shock of the first bill ...

Make sure to pay your use tax.

[rickc007]

What is that ?

Originally Posted by SMD

Make sure to pay your use tax.

[SMD]

Originally Posted by rickc007

What is that ?

"If you buy a taxable item outside Florida and bring it into (or have it delivered into) Florida, and you did not pay sales tax on the item, you owe use tax"

https://floridarevenue.com/taxes/tax...sales_tax.aspx

[rickc007]

Thanks for the info, they hit me with that when I bought it through Chrono24

Thanks

Originally Posted by SMD

"If you buy a taxable item outside Florida and bring it into (or have it delivered into) Florida, and you did not pay sales tax on the item, you owe use tax"

https://floridarevenue.com/taxes/tax...sales_tax.aspx

[rick lee]

How does an EU country charge VAT on an item being exported out of the EU? If you had bought it from a retail store in person in the Netherlands, they'd have given you paperwork to get the VAT refunded at the airport upon showing your passport and boarding pass. And the US has no VAT, though, IIRC, the duty-free exemption is around $800 per person. So you'd be on the hook for something. Still, even $500 sounds high for that.

I don't think Mrs. Lee and I have ever declared any of the larger ticket items we've brought back from Europe with a VAT refund. Never been asked about it at the airport upon returning home. Global Entry is a beautiful thing.

[Maragos]

Originally Posted by rickc007

Purchased a watched on Chrono24, it was $5200
Just received FedEx VAT and it's $1600 ???

I'm in Florida, USA , purchased the watch from The Netherlands

Was not expecting that.
That seems excessive, or is this normal ?
Anyone if there is any way I can protest it ?

All opinions, experiences welcome

Thanks

You should of flown in. Make a weekend or a night out of it and fly back. It’s always cheaper. I’ve never purchased a watch over seas or even Chrono 24. But my wife purchased a few bags that came from Europe and I was hit with VAT as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Maragos]

Also they do there research and value the watch on that not the purchase price


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Kay&bay]

I have seen insane prices over the years but this is way past insane, how did they come by with those numbers? You should give them a call.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[gwmaan]

Here's hoping that's an error, as I just bought something from Japan last week. I've imported guitars before and never had anywhere near that big of a hit. Good luck with it.