Thought I'd update the list on a thread I started a couple of months ago. I had complained that DHL tried to collect 11% import tariff on a Richard Kent built Arthur Caygill frame, which was excessive in my opinion. After a second bill from DHL, I called them. I had checked out the US Customs Service database at:
http://dataweb.usitc.gov/
According to this, the frame should have been assessed 3.9% (forks are at 0% for no obvious reason). There were also lights and dynamo, which are at 0% - I guess the Feds want to encourage safe night riding. The custom racks didn't fit any specific category, so I had to concede they were "other" parts at 10%. I wrote down the Customs Service category code I thought each item on the invoice fit into, and calculated the total I thought was the actual amount due, including the not-unreasonable $5 broker fee DHL was seeking. The total was $56 versus the $134 DHL was seeking. I had a frustrating time dealing with phone answering systems and DHL employee voice mails, but when I finally was able to talk to a real person, I laid out the invoice items, the Customs Service category code I thought applied to each, the corresponding tariff rates, and the total I thought I owed. She really didn't argue at all, adjusted the invoice to what I suggested, and I sent a check for the reduced amount. It seems DHL had simply declared the shipment at the 11% complete bike rate because that was the easy thing for them to do. When challenged with the facts, they did not argue.
The moral is, if you get hit with a high tariff, check the Customs Service web site, get the facts straight, and challenge any duty you think is incorrect. Also note, the tariffs speak of a complete bike "with both wheels" at 11%, while frames are 3.9%, so if you are buying an expensive frame, you'll be better off not buying wheels from the same source in the same shipment. If ordering parts with traiffs much less than 11%, especially lighting equipment which is not taxed, try to be sure the invoice clearly lists these as line items.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Houston, "tornados here this evening" TX