Purchasing Aluminium Cases from Europe

[IanInTheUsa]

I'm looking to purchase a set of Holan Nomad Pro II aluminium cases through Nomad-Adv.com (based in The Netherlands). A question for anyone who has also purchased from Europe and shipped to the US - what was the import duty you paid?

I've found some information online that indicates that motorcycle parts are duty free, are cases and racks classed as "parts"?

As the Customs & Boarder Protection is government run, their websites and publications are a confusing nightmare! And with the US Dollar being strong against the Euro now is the time to purchase from overseas.

thanks

 

[Checkswrecks]

I got my top box from Poland a year or so ago and don't think there was anything added.

 

[bmwguy]

From what I know. the cases are exempted from tariff. I believe motorcycle clothing is taxed.

HOWEVER, if you can get your vendor to ship USPS, from what I read, they never tax you.

If you use Fedex, you have a good chance of being taxed.

I ordered Givi Outback cases from Italy(Motostrom) and I did not get taxed last year. and It was shipped via Fedex

 

[IanInTheUsa]

Moderator note - Feel free to point out the exchange rate for the benefit of those who may not have noticed, but cut the political comments in threads like this.

Sorry about that, just my frame of mind after watching the news recently! Original post has been edited for content.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Sorry about that, just my frame of mind after watching the news recently! Original post has been edited for content.

Totally understand. Thanks

 

[WJBertrand]

Motorcycle accessories are duty free unless shipped from Cuba or North Korea (I dunno if that's still the case with Cuba though). Search the forum for posts about Motorstorm, there were some references to the correct documents among those posts. I printed out all the paperwork and specific sections just in case they came around later trying to collect a duty. Outside the prices, the only other cost I incurred buying a GiVi outback top case, mounting plate and some crash bars, was the shipping.

 

[vwboomer]

little late to the party but I got charged duty when I ordered from Italy. they put the wrong product code (was written as tractor parts) but FedEx claims if it was written as motorcycle luggage I would have been charged more. that goes against everything I read but it wasn't worth fighting forb $27

 

[WJBertrand]

little late to the party but I got charged duty when I ordered from Italy. they put the wrong product code (was written as tractor parts) but FedEx claims if it was written as motorcycle luggage I would have been charged more. that goes against everything I read but it wasn't worth fighting forb $27

I think FedEx is either somewhat confused, or worse, I'm beginning to think they are trying to take advantage of the uninformed. The language in the regulations says motorcycle parts and accessories. Don't know if using the word "luggage" invokes a different classification. Motostorm has printed boxes that clearly says "Motorcycle Accessories" on the outside.

 

[imsteveiv]

When I bought my Givi cases from Motorstorm they shipped via Fed-Ex and there wasn't any taxes or duties charged. About 2 weeks after receiving the case I got a statement from Fed-Ex which outlined the import of the cases but showed that $0 was owed for taxes.

 

[vwboomer]

I think FedEx is either somewhat confused, or worse, I'm beginning to think they are trying to take advantage of the uninformed. The language in the regulations says motorcycle parts and accessories. Don't know if using the word "luggage" invokes a different classification. Motostorm has printed boxes that clearly says "Motorcycle Accessories" on the outside.

I quoted the tariff code and wording to them and was still told that if I disputed it, it would get reclassified and charged more. no doubt they were betting I wouldn't want to deal with the headache of it all. they were right. but I damn sure made em wait months til it was almost in collections lol

 

[WJBertrand]

I quoted the tariff code and wording to them and was still told that if I disputed it, it would get reclassified and charged more. no doubt they were betting I wouldn't want to deal with the headache of it all. they were right. but I damn sure made em wait months til it was almost in collections lol

On principal I would not have given in. I don't think there's any legal process to charge you more for disputing the charges. I don't think they can just arbitrarily reclassify something in order to collect the tariff on something that isn't what they classified it as either. You can bet in a case like that they are not forwarding the money to the taxing authority, rather lining their own pockets instead.

 

[Davelivs2hunt]

I ordered my cases and such from Italy as well. FedEx did try charging me. I think it was $23. I fought it (to prove a point). I won and didn't need to pay a thing.