The Cost of Ownership

[94touring]

Panels left Memphis, still waiting for the bill. Arrive at my place in a couple more days.

[BruceK]

Panels left Memphis, still waiting for the bill. Arrive at my place in a couple more days.

This may be a dumb question, but will FedEx deliver and then bill you the custom duties/fees? Or is delivery contingent on having that already paid? 

[94touring]

It says it needs to be paid before delivery but they haven't sent me a bill yet and it's being delivered today 

[94touring]

Well it was delivered and I've yet to see a bill.

[BruceK]

Well it was delivered and I've yet to see a bill.

Beats the hell out of the apparent UPS method of demanding you pay a ransom of a made-up amount to receive your package, then try to fight them to explain or justify the amount. After at least a 3 month wait!

[94touring]

I'll keep an eye out for something after the fact, but yeah I prefer the non ransom method of delivery too.

[MiniDave]

Maybe they've collected so much tariffs they don't need any more?    

[94touring]

I keep checking my account waiting for something to pop up.  Dunno. I'm guessing DHL, UPS, and Fedex are barely keeping up with all the changes which is why some of us get overcharged and then others don't get charged at all. 

[MiniDave]

Zac had ordered some wheel bearings for his car, and he was able to get my seat diaphragm added to his order, so we'll see what they charge us......Dan you don't suppose they added the tariff into the price of the sheet metal?

[94touring]

No it wasn't added into the cost of the parts from Somerford. They were already a little cheaper than spares to begin with too.

Edit: also the invoice said I'm responsible for import duties and tarrifs.

[BruceK]

One thing that would be very helpful is to ensure the seller is adding the correct HS Codes to the invoice. HS codes are used to identify what is being imported. Once that is done the correct tariff can be applied.

If the seller has provided the HS codes that is half the battle because you don't have to argue with the courier about what they are transporting for you. 

For example the clock I imported from Belgium had HS Code 87089900 on the invoice. That means my fight with UPS is just on the tariff and import costs that applies for auto parts.  I don't have to argue with them as to the proper classification of the item being imported.

Any company that regularly sells overseas should be able to ensure they are putting the proper HS code on the invoice they issue for you.

And HS codes are used internationally by all countries to identify items being exported and imported.  They are not unique to the US or the current tariff situation here. 

[94touring]

The invoice had the HS codes on it too.

[MPlayle]

Toss in the mix the various court rulings as to whether the recent tariffs are even legal or not.  Maybe the shippers are just as confused as the public as to when tariffs get charged and when they don't let alone how much they are supposed to be as that seems to keep changing at someone's whim.

[MiniDave]

True, it's a mess right now - has been since February.

I have some parts coming this week from Spares....I usually get the email from DHL once they hit the states but before they deliver. I'll see what happens this time......

[94touring]

Boys-  let me remind everyone a quick way to royally get me pissed off is begin to play troll my forum with politics.  Stay on topic of how, how much, and when we get billed for our car parts.

[MiniDave]

Nothing political about my post, that's simply when tariffs took effect, which affects the price of our parts ordered from Europe.....no different than commenting on an increase is shipping costs - which have also gone up but not necessarily because of tariffs.

Also not political to mention that the rules have changed frequently in the last 6 months......which makes it difficult to know what something will cost.

[MPlayle]

My comment was as Dave says - noting the frequent rules changes as a point of confusion.  I try very hard to stay out of politics.