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Import Tax / Duties from Vietnam to USA?

wagudc
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I am looking to buy a watch for $800 that is located in Vietnam. It will be shipped via DHL to me in the USA (California). I have tried several sites and have had little success figuring out what if any Import Taxes I will have to pay. Does anybody know the answer, or where to look to find it?

Thanks!
 
Scarecrow Boat
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Being in California myself, I have imported several watches valued from $800 up to $1,300 from Europe, Sweden, Italy, and Japan, and never had pay import. These were shipped via DHL, Fedex, and USPS and all declared at the correct value. It is quite a jump from $1,300 but I imported a watch from Switzerland valued and declared at $3,900 and had to pay $52 in duties (shipped via DHL). Then at the end of the tax year, I got a notice that I had to pay several hundred in California Use Tax, which is essentially sales tax on imported goods. So, since you are in Ca, you should also be aware of Use Tax, if you weren't already. I hope this helps.
 
Evitzee
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Scarecrow Boat Scarecrow Boat
Being in California myself, I have imported several watches valued from $800 up to $1,300 from Europe, Sweden, Italy, and Japan, and never had pay import. These were shipped via DHL, Fedex, and USPS and all declared at the correct value. It is quite a jump from $1,300 but I imported a watch from Switzerland valued and declared at $3,900 and had to pay $52 in duties (shipped via DHL). Then at the end of the tax year, I got a notice that I had to pay several hundred in California Use Tax, which is essentially sales tax on imported goods. So, since you are in Ca, you should also be aware of Use Tax, if you weren't already. I hope this helps.
That's a new one. I know states often cross trade sales information to be able to collect sales taxes on out of state sales that are delivered into the state, but I've not heard of a state using federal import information in order to collect a state's Use Tax for an individual importing an item. It would seem the shippers (DHL, FedEx) are giving this information to the state for eventual tax collection rather than US Customs giving this information, but the result is the same....taxes and fees on the owner. But governments are desperate for cash and are getting more aggressive in going after it. Something to keep in mind.
 
gatorcpa
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Evitzee Evitzee
It would seem the shippers (DHL, FedEx) are giving this information to the state for eventual tax collection rather than US Customs giving this information, but the result is the same....taxes and fees on the owner.
That is exactly what is happening. You can blame the common carriers acting as customs agents. States have gotten more aggressive in obtaining customs records from the federal government.

The solution is to use national post offices, especially USPS. They do not report to the states…yet. However, many states allow you to self-report use tax as part of annual income tax filings.
gatorcpa
 
wagudc
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gatorcpa gatorcpa
However, many states allow you to self-report use tax as part of annual income tax filings.

This is true of California. I have no problem paying sales tax. I have not bought many watches from overseas, and don't want to get hit with a big unexpected surprise.
 
watch_my_six
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Scarecrow Boat Scarecrow Boat
Being in California myself, I have imported several watches valued from $800 up to $1,300 from Europe, Sweden, Italy, and Japan, and never had pay import. These were shipped via DHL, Fedex, and USPS and all declared at the correct value. It is quite a jump from $1,300 but I imported a watch from Switzerland valued and declared at $3,900 and had to pay $52 in duties (shipped via DHL). Then at the end of the tax year, I got a notice that I had to pay several hundred in California Use Tax, which is essentially sales tax on imported goods. So, since you are in Ca, you should also be aware of Use Tax, if you weren't already. I hope this helps.
Wow, I wasn't aware of the use-tax issue. As far as you know, is that pretty much guaranteed if you live in CA and receive a shipment via DHL? Do you happen to know of any other resources online about this?
 
watch_my_six
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wagudc wagudc
I am looking to buy a watch for $800 that is located in Vietnam. It will be shipped via DHL to me in the USA (California). I have tried several sites and have had little success figuring out what if any Import Taxes I will have to pay. Does anybody know the answer, or where to look to find it?

Thanks!
At $800, I think that's below the personal exemption amount: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/kbyg/customs-duty-info
And when paying duty, check out the table that starts on page 9 here: https://hts.usitc.gov/view/Chapter 91
 
Dan S
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I don't believe you'll pay duty on an $800 watch. Even if it were slightly more and you needed to fill out the watch worksheet, you would put most of the value in the movement and the duties would be trivial.
 
Scarecrow Boat
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watch_my_six jspdl
is that pretty much guaranteed if you live in CA and receive a shipment via DHL?
No, not on all items. I have imported several watches with DHL around the $800-$1,200 mark and have not had to pay a duty on them. If the item you import requires a duty be paid and the state obtains that customs record, then yes, you’ll most likely receive tax papers stating you owe money. But that is if the state obtains those records. If you read several posts above, states have become more aggressive with obtaining those records.
 
gatorcpa
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watch_my_six jspdl
At $800, I think that's below the personal exemption amount: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/kbyg/customs-duty-info
And when paying duty, check out the table that starts on page 9 here: https://hts.usitc.gov/view/Chapter 91
The $800 exemption only applies to items hand carried across the border when you return.

The large courier companies have in-house customs brokers to handle international shipments who have made their own arrangements with US Customs regarding de-minimus amounts for which the cost of compliance by the government will exceed the customs revenue.

So common sense rules and those small value items are not taxed. I suspect that de-minimus amounts will vary by each customs broker and type of item and no one will admit to them.
gatorcpa
 
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