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BobinAtlanta
(@bobinatlanta)
Trusted Member
Duty on MK4?

My MK4 arrives on Tuesday!  I have released the signature, but worry there may be duty.  Is there duty to be paid upon arrival or is that handled by my payment?  

Posted : 15/06/2023 2:26 pm
jseyfert3
(@jseyfert3)
Reputable Member
RE: Duty on MK4?

Duty is not handled by payment to Prusa. The carrier collects any duty required, and how they collect that varies. I believe I've only ever paid duty once so far, and it was with UPS. They sent me an email saying duty was required and I paid that on their website before the item even arrived. I think some carriers may hold shipments until duty is paid, and I've also heard of other carriers sending a bill for duty a month or more after the item arrives.

Whatever carrier is shipping your printer should have a webpage that outlines how they collect required duties.

How much was your printer? Did you buy just the kit for $799 or did you add items? There's currently an $800 exemption, so personal orders $800 and less will not have duty charged. If you add accessories bumping the order to over $800 then duty will be charged.

Posted : 15/06/2023 2:40 pm
szara
(@szara)
Eminent Member
RE: Duty on MK4?

What's so magical about $800?? What country are you talking about (US?). Where does that $800 limit come from?

Posted : 15/06/2023 3:26 pm
ironfan72
(@ironfan72)
Trusted Member
RE: Duty on MK4?

For import into the US, it's usually around $50-60 for the Mk4 assembled printer, depending on if you added any options such as extra sheets etc. As others have mentioned you need to pay this to the shipping company before they will deliver it to you. DHL sends a link so you can pay it online.

Posted by: @bobinatlanta

My MK4 arrives on Tuesday!  I have released the signature, but worry there may be duty.  Is there duty to be paid upon arrival or is that handled by my payment?  

 

Posted : 15/06/2023 3:34 pm
3Delight
(@3delight)
Moderator Moderator
RE: Duty on MK4?

Yes, they are talking about the USA.  Every country has it's own customs & Duty limits and fees.

Posted : 15/06/2023 3:37 pm
jseyfert3 liked
cwbullet
(@cwbullet)
Member
RE: Duty on MK4?

In the US, Congress had mandated a duty on international purchases over $800.

Posted by: @szara

What's so magical about $800?? What country are you talking about (US?). Where does that $800 limit come from?

 

--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog

Posted : 15/06/2023 3:40 pm
david.s174
(@david-s174-2)
Active Member
RE:

I received a notice yesterday that DHL had received my MK4 kit and would deliver it next Monday. Very happy.

Then, a moment ago, I received a shakedown notice from DHL demanding an import duty payment or they would return the package to sender. The duty fee is $44.20.

Based on the information above (about an exemption for costs under $800), when I look back on my order, I see that Prusa charged me $840 for the order - which includes a "gift" of a 1kg spool of Prusament. That seems pretty deceptive, since the Prusa MK4 kit currently sells for $799. So, in exchange for a "gift" of Prusament, I'm being charged not only an additional $40 on the order, but an extra $45 duty fee by DHL (in addition to the $45 delivery charge).

I feel rather irritable by this turn of events and will be contacting Prusa Support for an explanation.

This post was modified 1 year ago by david.s174
Posted : 15/06/2023 4:31 pm
jseyfert3
(@jseyfert3)
Reputable Member
RE: Duty on MK4?
Posted by: @szara

What's so magical about $800?? What country are you talking about (US?). Where does that $800 limit come from?

Yes, sorry. Talking about USA, as I assumed BobinAtlanta was from the USA, but that could be a poor assumption.

However, this thread has now made me doubt the following:

Posted by: @cwbullet

In the US, Congress had mandated a duty on international purchases over $800.

Posted by: @szara

What's so magical about $800?? What country are you talking about (US?). Where does that $800 limit come from?

 

I'm now questioning there is an $800 limit for personal exception for duty on online purchases. I looked a little into this when I got my MINI and didn't find ANY official information that there was an $800 exception. And several different duty calculators gave me a value for estimated duty for my MINI order, which was under $600. If there was an $800 exception, you'd think one of those calculators would have known that.

Further research today found that there's an $800 exception...for US residents returning to the USA with items they bought outside the USA. I found NO blanket exceptions for online purchases. The US Customs and Border protection page doesn't mention anything about this, and says (bolding mine):

The importer is ultimately responsible for paying any duty owed on an import. Determining duty can be very complicated, and while shipping services will often give an estimate for what the duty rate on an item might be, only CBP can make a final determination about what is owed. You should not be misled into thinking your purchase price includes duty because the seller cannot say with absolute certainty what the duty will be.

So unless someone can actually link a source to this supposed $800 exceptions for duty fees for imports to the USA, I'm inclined to believe there is no such limit and any order may be charged duty fees. This also may explain how I've seen some people reporting orders for printers under $800 being charged, and some with orders over $800 not being charged. CBP is determining whether or not to charge duties, and how much, and different agents may be classifying the item differently which may lead to some people getting charged and others not.

Also the CBP mentioned that usually carriers will hire someone to take the imports (your printer) through CBP, and this fee may be extra, in addition to any duty or shipping & handling, depending on how the carrier does things.

All very complicated...

Posted : 15/06/2023 4:52 pm
cwbullet
(@cwbullet)
Member
RE: Duty on MK4?

https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/e-commerce/faqs

https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-246?language=en_US

It has nothing to do with online purchases.  The degree of enforcement depends on the screening of the package by the shipper and customs.  

 

Posted by: @jseyfert3
Posted by: @szara

What's so magical about $800?? What country are you talking about (US?). Where does that $800 limit come from?

Yes, sorry. Talking about USA, as I assumed BobinAtlanta was from the USA, but that could be a poor assumption.

However, this thread has now made me doubt the following:

Posted by: @cwbullet

In the US, Congress had mandated a duty on international purchases over $800.

Posted by: @szara

What's so magical about $800?? What country are you talking about (US?). Where does that $800 limit come from?

 

I'm now questioning there is an $800 limit for personal exception for duty on online purchases. I looked a little into this when I got my MINI and didn't find ANY official information that there was an $800 exception. And several different duty calculators gave me a value for estimated duty for my MINI order, which was under $600. If there was an $800 exception, you'd think one of those calculators would have known that.

Further research today found that there's an $800 exception...for US residents returning to the USA with items they bought outside the USA. I found NO blanket exceptions for online purchases. The US Customs and Border protection page doesn't mention anything about this, and says (bolding mine):

The importer is ultimately responsible for paying any duty owed on an import. Determining duty can be very complicated, and while shipping services will often give an estimate for what the duty rate on an item might be, only CBP can make a final determination about what is owed. You should not be misled into thinking your purchase price includes duty because the seller cannot say with absolute certainty what the duty will be.

So unless someone can actually link a source to this supposed $800 exceptions for duty fees for imports to the USA, I'm inclined to believe there is no such limit and any order may be charged duty fees. This also may explain how I've seen some people reporting orders for printers under $800 being charged, and some with orders over $800 not being charged. CBP is determining whether or not to charge duties, and how much, and different agents may be classifying the item differently which may lead to some people getting charged and others not.

Also the CBP mentioned that usually carriers will hire someone to take the imports (your printer) through CBP, and this fee may be extra, in addition to any duty or shipping & handling, depending on how the carrier does things.

All very complicated...

 

--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog

Posted : 15/06/2023 5:02 pm
brettly
(@brettly)
New Member
RE: Duty on MK4?

I looked at my order, unless yours is different the $840 is the printer plus shipping, nothing to do with the prusament.  It's $799 for the printer and then $41 for shipping.  Looking at my previous orders, a MK3 was only $749 so with the shipping added it was still below the magic $800 number.  It looks like because the MK4 is $50 more than previous printers anyone in the US will get dinged for that extra duty fee.

Posted by: @david-s174-2

I received a notice yesterday that DHL had received my MK4 kit and would deliver it next Monday. Very happy.

Then, a moment ago, I received a shakedown notice from DHL demanding an import duty payment or they would return the package to sender. The duty fee is $44.20.

Based on the information above (about an exemption for costs under $800), when I look back on my order, I see that Prusa charged me $840 for the order - which includes a "gift" of a 1kg spool of Prusament. That seems pretty deceptive, since the Prusa MK4 kit currently sells for $799. So, in exchange for a "gift" of Prusament, I'm being charged not only an additional $40 on the order, but an extra $45 duty fee by DHL (in addition to the $45 delivery charge).

I feel rather irritable by this turn of events and will be contacting Prusa Support for an explanation.

 

Posted : 15/06/2023 5:06 pm
ironfan72
(@ironfan72)
Trusted Member
RE: Duty on MK4?

Here's a post from a previous discussion about the import duties.

https://forum.prusa3d.com/forum/english-forum-general-discussion-announcements-and-releases/is-there-import-taxes-into-the-usa/#post-132232

The import thing is the HTS code that is used to import shipments, this sets the import duty rate. The other thing to remember is that the duties are calculated on the value of the shipment not what you paid. So even if Prusa sent you a Mk4 for free you will still have to pay the duty based on the full retail value.

Posted : 15/06/2023 5:06 pm
jseyfert3 liked
jseyfert3
(@jseyfert3)
Reputable Member
RE: Duty on MK4?
I mean, it does though? Your first link clearly states, for online purchases, that if it's below $800 it should be admitted free or duty or taxes. So thank you for that.
 
Your second link talks exclusively about goods brought back into the US with you while returning to the US, or within 30 days of you returning to the US, and lists $200, $800, and $1600 exemption limits depending on the country you are returning from with the goods. It does not talk about online purchases at all.
Posted by: @cwbullet

https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/e-commerce/faqs

https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-246?language=en_US

It has nothing to do with online purchases.  The degree of enforcement depends on the screening of the package by the shipper and customs.  

 

Posted by: @jseyfert3
Posted by: @szara

What's so magical about $800?? What country are you talking about (US?). Where does that $800 limit come from?

Yes, sorry. Talking about USA, as I assumed BobinAtlanta was from the USA, but that could be a poor assumption.

However, this thread has now made me doubt the following:

Posted by: @cwbullet

In the US, Congress had mandated a duty on international purchases over $800.

Posted by: @szara

What's so magical about $800?? What country are you talking about (US?). Where does that $800 limit come from?

 

I'm now questioning there is an $800 limit for personal exception for duty on online purchases. I looked a little into this when I got my MINI and didn't find ANY official information that there was an $800 exception. And several different duty calculators gave me a value for estimated duty for my MINI order, which was under $600. If there was an $800 exception, you'd think one of those calculators would have known that.

Further research today found that there's an $800 exception...for US residents returning to the USA with items they bought outside the USA. I found NO blanket exceptions for online purchases. The US Customs and Border protection page doesn't mention anything about this, and says (bolding mine):

The importer is ultimately responsible for paying any duty owed on an import. Determining duty can be very complicated, and while shipping services will often give an estimate for what the duty rate on an item might be, only CBP can make a final determination about what is owed. You should not be misled into thinking your purchase price includes duty because the seller cannot say with absolute certainty what the duty will be.

So unless someone can actually link a source to this supposed $800 exceptions for duty fees for imports to the USA, I'm inclined to believe there is no such limit and any order may be charged duty fees. This also may explain how I've seen some people reporting orders for printers under $800 being charged, and some with orders over $800 not being charged. CBP is determining whether or not to charge duties, and how much, and different agents may be classifying the item differently which may lead to some people getting charged and others not.

Also the CBP mentioned that usually carriers will hire someone to take the imports (your printer) through CBP, and this fee may be extra, in addition to any duty or shipping & handling, depending on how the carrier does things.

All very complicated...

 

Posted : 15/06/2023 5:10 pm
cwbullet
(@cwbullet)
Member
RE: Duty on MK4?

 

Posted by: @jseyfert3
I mean, it does though? Your first link clearly states, for online purchases, that if it's below $800 it should be admitted free or duty or taxes. So thank you for that.
 
Your second link talks exclusively about goods brought back into the US with you while returning to the US, or within 30 days of you returning to the US, and lists $200, $800, and $1600 exemption limits depending on the country you are returning from with the goods. It does not talk about online purchases at all.

I know what you saying.  My point is the $800 limit is for both online and things you might bring back from overseas.  It is codified into US code.  

--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog

Posted : 15/06/2023 5:12 pm
jseyfert3 liked
szara
(@szara)
Eminent Member
RE: Duty on MK4?

Prusa shipped my Mk4 kit in a separate box ($799) from the gifted filament spool and my two extra spring steel print sheets, so I did not have to pay any duty fees. Both boxes were shipped through FedEx.

Posted : 27/06/2023 4:56 am
iftibashir
(@iftibashir)
Honorable Member
RE: Duty on MK4?

They do not split boxes so that you dont pay the duty. They do this to make the process easier for themselves! For instance, the MK4 kit boxes are all exactly the same, so that when the come off the production line they can just be stickered and dispatched - they do not have to be opened and customized per order. The remaining items in the order are therefore dispatched separately - the only things thats coordinated is the dispatch time, so all parts dispatch on the same day etc

Believe me, Prusa doesn't care about saving you duty costs. They care about maximizing their profit and getting their orders fulfilled as efficiently as possible, even if it means multiple boxes/packages that you pay extra shipping for. 

I'll give you another example. I have a MK4 kit on order. I edited the order to add the £5.49 heatblock silicon covers. I assumed this would just be thrown into the box - its a very small and very light packet after all. But no, when processing it wanted to charge me an extra £20 total - so I was paying a whole £15 or so for delivery on such a small and light item!

Contacted chat who said there's nothing they can do. Items are dispatched separately hence the shipping costs need to be applied. Completely ridiculous!

Posted by: @szara

Prusa shipped my Mk4 kit in a separate box ($799) from the gifted filament spool and my two extra spring steel print sheets, so I did not have to pay any duty fees. Both boxes were shipped through FedEx.

 

ORIGINAL PRUSA MK4 KIT - Full step-by-step video assembly guide!

>ORIGINAL PRUSA MINI+ Full video assembly guide!

Posted : 27/06/2023 8:05 am
cwbullet
(@cwbullet)
Member
RE: Duty on MK4?

I did not have to play duty, which was a welcome finding.  

Posted by: @szara

Prusa shipped my Mk4 kit in a separate box ($799) from the gifted filament spool and my two extra spring steel print sheets, so I did not have to pay any duty fees. Both boxes were shipped through FedEx.

 

--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog

Posted : 27/06/2023 10:26 am
iftibashir
(@iftibashir)
Honorable Member
RE: Duty on MK4?

Wish mine would come without any duty fee’s, but it’s highly unlikely here in the UK - they are like hawks in customs and take every penny they can get! Lol

ORIGINAL PRUSA MK4 KIT - Full step-by-step video assembly guide!

>ORIGINAL PRUSA MINI+ Full video assembly guide!

Posted : 27/06/2023 11:45 am
cwbullet
(@cwbullet)
Member
RE: Duty on MK4?

I know it is a pain.  I wouldn't say I like tariffs and duties.  It would be a level field if all countries agreed to remove them and practice fair labor practices.  Until then, we have to live with countries leveling the field.  

Posted by: @iftibashir

Wish mine would come without any duty fee’s, but it’s highly unlikely here in the UK - they are like hawks in customs and take every penny they can get! Lol

 

--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog

Posted : 27/06/2023 11:48 am
szara
(@szara)
Eminent Member
RE: Duty on MK4?

I agree, I didn't mean they split the boxes so I don't pay Duty, I know that the kit boxes were designed to contain the kit only, but that worked out well.

Posted by: @iftibashir

They do not split boxes so that you dont pay the duty. They do this to make the process easier for themselves! For instance, the MK4 kit boxes are all exactly the same, so that when the come off the production line they can just be stickered and dispatched - they do not have to be opened and customized per order. The remaining items in the order are therefore dispatched separately - the only things thats coordinated is the dispatch time, so all parts dispatch on the same day etc

Believe me, Prusa doesn't care about saving you duty costs. They care about maximizing their profit and getting their orders fulfilled as efficiently as possible, even if it means multiple boxes/packages that you pay extra shipping for. 

I'll give you another example. I have a MK4 kit on order. I edited the order to add the £5.49 heatblock silicon covers. I assumed this would just be thrown into the box - its a very small and very light packet after all. But no, when processing it wanted to charge me an extra £20 total - so I was paying a whole £15 or so for delivery on such a small and light item!

Contacted chat who said there's nothing they can do. Items are dispatched separately hence the shipping costs need to be applied. Completely ridiculous!

Posted by: @szara

Prusa shipped my Mk4 kit in a separate box ($799) from the gifted filament spool and my two extra spring steel print sheets, so I did not have to pay any duty fees. Both boxes were shipped through FedEx.

 

 

Posted : 27/06/2023 4:13 pm
cwbullet
(@cwbullet)
Member
RE: Duty on MK4?

Either way, it is nice not to pay the tariff or duty!

Posted by: @szara

I agree, I didn't mean they split the boxes so I don't pay Duty, I know that the kit boxes were designed to contain the kit only, but that worked out well.

Posted by: @iftibashir

They do not split boxes so that you dont pay the duty. They do this to make the process easier for themselves! For instance, the MK4 kit boxes are all exactly the same, so that when the come off the production line they can just be stickered and dispatched - they do not have to be opened and customized per order. The remaining items in the order are therefore dispatched separately - the only things thats coordinated is the dispatch time, so all parts dispatch on the same day etc

Believe me, Prusa doesn't care about saving you duty costs. They care about maximizing their profit and getting their orders fulfilled as efficiently as possible, even if it means multiple boxes/packages that you pay extra shipping for. 

I'll give you another example. I have a MK4 kit on order. I edited the order to add the £5.49 heatblock silicon covers. I assumed this would just be thrown into the box - its a very small and very light packet after all. But no, when processing it wanted to charge me an extra £20 total - so I was paying a whole £15 or so for delivery on such a small and light item!

Contacted chat who said there's nothing they can do. Items are dispatched separately hence the shipping costs need to be applied. Completely ridiculous!

Posted by: @szara

Prusa shipped my Mk4 kit in a separate box ($799) from the gifted filament spool and my two extra spring steel print sheets, so I did not have to pay any duty fees. Both boxes were shipped through FedEx.

 

 

 

--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog

Posted : 27/06/2023 4:55 pm
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