The Cost of Ownership

[Scargo]

I recently ordered $270 worth of Mini parts from my usual source, Mini Spares. With DHL shipping, it came to $297.

Once the order arrived in the states a couple days later DHL sent me an email saying I owed them $130 in Import Fees (aka:tariffs), and if not paid within five days, the order was going to be shipped back to the UK.

Two days later, I received another email stating that I had three days to pay the "import fee".

On the last day, I paid them the $130 and I receive the shipment the following day.

Not a good situation at all. The cost of British car ownership has just increased significantly.

[94touring]

I have an order on the way so waiting to see what I need to pay. 50% seems high, I thought we were down to around 20%?

[MPlayle]

From reading several posts/articles about recent shipping from Europe/UK and the tariff situation, the published % tariff is just the "government" portion.  All of the shippers are now also charging full "brokerage fees" on top of the tariffs.  When the "de minimus" was still in effect, they would not charge brokerage fees or tariffs on anything under $800 and we all got spoiled.  Now we get hit with both the tariff and the brokerage fees on everything.

As Scargo says: "Not a good situation at all. The cost of British car ownership has just increased significantly."

[MiniDave]

Yep, ever since my local Mini owner buddy got hit for $500-600 on a $2K order, I've been dreading ordering anything from Europe - even used parts are subject to the tariffs.

And its not like any American firm is going to step in and start making Mini parts.