I have not yet had any problems with shipments to USA under US$800.

HOPE IT STAYS THAT WAY.

KEN

 

I have not yet had any problems with shipments to USA under US$800.

HOPE IT STAYS THAT WAY.

I've made a couple purchases from the UK and EU over the past weeks, both under $800. No issues so far, though in the past when I had non-exempt shipments I got a tariff bill a week or two later from UPS or DHL, so who knows. In any case, if you're the shipper you just need to fill out the forms correctly and accurately: any tariffs are going to have to be handled by the receiver.

From what I've been reading, it appears the removal of the $800 de minimus limit is only being applied to China? But the whole thing is being done so haphazardly it's been a challenge to get clear answers. Basically it appears that's why DHL has gone "Eff this noise, they're not paying us enough to deal with this crap" and just not handling anything that could require tariffs going forward.

 

I need to buy an overhaul kit from the US, hopefully the tariffs don’t hit before they manage to export. Thank you for the heads up

 

To be clear, this is just our favorite shipper, DHL, saying they won’t carry any order valued at over $800 Europe to the US. Don’t know if this applies to Canada.

You can break up big orders, but if you need a $1200 Burman box, that’s an issue.

 

Just something to keep in mind with European orders to the US.

My order-before-last from CA would've gotten tripped up by this. It was basically everything to cosmetically renew the center console*, including side panels, and a set of seat covers. But that was in March, so dodged that bullet.

But it's good to know.

-------
*That they carried. No S2 ashtrays yet, if someone knows of a source hook me up.Willing to pay the asking price for an NOS one or something much nicer than my (pretty nice) original.

 

So far I have not had any problems shipping to USA from Toronto, except some congestion delays. Used Alfa Parts under $800. (declared). SO FAR, fingers crossed.

Ken

 

Maybe Jim Spackman will chime in on his understanding of the situation from Alfaholics. I wonder if UPS or Fed Ex will do the same?

 

Here's the latest from DHL on the subject. They had suspended shipments valued at over $800 direct to customers, if the order was going to a business this wasn't an issue. This has now been lifted and they will accept orders over $800 direct to customer. UPS hadn't suspended deliveries over $800 so that was an option for us but in the end it seems that is not needed now.

Of course "sub $800" does not necessarily mean "no tariff", it's just a different method of clearing the goods through Customs. As far as actual tariffs go and what rate they'll be charged at in the future, us vendors are still sitting waiting for the other shoe to drop there.

 

We just got a notice from DHL (we ship a lot to the USA). The embargo is over. They sorted it with US Customs. You can go back to prior rules. Over $2,500 formal entry. Under = informal

 

I just got message from DHL...stuck in custom in LA....they are requesting my SS.....WTFIGon

 

We shipped a $5,000 parcel from New Zealand to LA. Our shipping department misspelled the last name of the recipient, so someone from DHL in LA called and asked the recipient for her social security number. Her lawyer advised her that while the person may have said they were from DHL, that is how scams begin, so she declined. That kicked off a three month nightmare (not fully settled yet) in which the DHL reps would say one thing, but the DHL computer would do something else. Despite being told it would be held in LA, it was returned to NZ. We did not know until the DHL computer demanded $1,300 in customs duty. I escalated, finally got a human to take control, and it was shipped back. While the law is clear that no federal agency can demand a social security number unless it is for a lawfully-specified purpose, US Customs in LA has taken a hardball approach since Trump began the trade war with China. We also learned on the second round that DHL apparently can look up a Social Security number by the persons' name and address, which they enter into the clearance docket.

Bottom line, the shock and awe campaign is working. US Customs is in shock and they are not amused. Just give them your SSN and hope you get it before they send it back.

 

The ‘no tariff on < $800‘ expires May 2nd. I would assume that means you need the package to clear customs TODAY. The executive order was signed on April 2nd setting May 2nd as the effective date.

j

 

The ‘no tariff on < $800‘ expires May 2nd. I would assume that means you need the package to clear customs TODAY. The executive order was signed on April 2nd setting May 2nd as the effective date.

That's only for China, right? I know China retailers are already tacking on the fees.

My understanding is that for non-China shipments the $800 limit still applies. But as I said, this is an utter crap show in terms of planning and messaging so I could very well be wrong.

 

Did more reading and you are correct. Hong Kong and China only.

whew

john

 

That's just for China right now. They've said they will eliminate for other origins, but there is no timeframe set yet.

We shipped a $5,000 parcel from New Zealand to LA. Our shipping department misspelled the last name of the recipient, so someone from DHL in LA called and asked the recipient for her social security number. Her lawyer advised her that while the person may have said they were from DHL, that is how scams begin, so she declined. That kicked off a three month nightmare (not fully settled yet) in which the DHL reps would say one thing, but the DHL computer would do something else. Despite being told it would be held in LA, it was returned to NZ. We did not know until the DHL computer demanded $1,300 in customs duty. I escalated, finally got a human to take control, and it was shipped back. While the law is clear that no federal agency can demand a social security number unless it is for a lawfully-specified purpose, US Customs in LA has taken a hardball approach since Trump began the trade war with China. We also learned on the second round that DHL apparently can look up a Social Security number by the persons' name and address, which they enter into the clearance docket.

Bottom line, the shock and awe campaign is working. US Customs is in shock and they are not amused. Just give them your SSN and hope you get it before they send it back.

Thank you very much...supposedly a DHL agent will contact me today....what a nightmare....I ordered a Burman box from OKP and OKP had to complete an Aluminum Extrusion Worksheet....this was with FedEx

 

That's unfortunate. I was looking at that box when it was on sale and thinking it would squeak in as de minimus. Good to know.

 

The Tariffs between UK and US have been expensive. I just purchased a rearview mirror for my S3 Spider. The price at Classic Alfa in England was US $86.96. Then they add shipping of $31.95. Not terrible considering it's coming from England. DHL then texts me saying I owe $31.48 for import duties. Now I'm up to $150.39 for 1 Mirror. I was thinking that I should have purchased from Centerline. Nope. Their price for the same mirror is $229.00 plus $16.60 tax and $15.75 for standard shipping. Grand total from Centerline: $261.35! I checked out VickAuto and their price was $130.00 plus $18.89 shipping for a total of $148.89. All 3 offered the same exact mirror.

Conclusion: The tariffs add a hefty chunk to the cost of parts when buying from Classic Alfa or Alfaholics. Centerline is too expensive for most of their parts. I will buy from VickAuto in the future unless I must have a part that only those guys in England have. I do feel bad for both UK companies since they will lose business from the U.S.

One last thing.... Classic Auto never told me I'd have to pay a tariff when I purchased through them. I guess it's not their responsibility but it would have been nice to know the real cost of a purchase. It was DHL who hit me up for the $$
Thoughts??

 

Classic Alfa sell to all countries on this planet. It would be impossible for them to know each countries charges, etc.
Pete

 

That's true they sell to everyone around the globe. But the U.S tariffs have been high on the radar lately and the baseline is 10% and up depending on the product. Every company doing business knows what category their product falls under and could easily have the calculation built into the shopping cart.

 

Trying to be careful what I type here, but not everybody follows America as closely as you think.

Example for me. New Zealand gets upset if you go over $1000 ... I did that with my pistons and liners. My fault, not Classic Alfa. Actually it was the exchange rates fault as it changed. But Classic Alfa did help me by separating the freight in invoices, but the most helpful person was the New Zealand DHL lady who was amazing and got it sorted. I had only just gone over but was going to cost me lots more
Pete

 

I didn't mean to imply that Classic Alfa is a bad player, just it would have been good to know all of the costs before I purchased. I've been very satisfied with their service for years.

 

I wanted to purchase us$400 dollars worth of bits from Centreline yesterday, the freight to Aust was nearly that much again. Freight costs exUSA (unless Amazon which has been free?) were always a joke. I will find a Euro supplier, it’s an Italian produced part after all and Centreline haven’t bothered to respond.

 

Our daughter lives in New Zealand and regularly buys stuff from China, Singapore, Korea, etc. Talk about fast delivery and low freight costs. My wife loves TWG tea from Singapore, they ship to the US again at ridiculously cheap rates and fast. My point is it’s not just the Europeans who are good at this stuff, more like rates ex. US are (and long have been) the issue.

 

@Aggie57 … yep, agreed. The crazy thing is I can buy items via Amazon (Deutsch DTM connectors, Upol variable spray gun) exUSA freight free. All delivered in seven days.

So it can be done.
(I feel a bit dirty using Amazon the first time, but crikey it works)

 

Let's bash Amazon instead of America ... so I'm sure Amazon are so cheap freight wise because they are not paying somebody ...

Pete

 

Yep, exactly why I felt bad. I’d avoided them for 15years. Never partaken of an UBer ride or delivery either.

 

Understood, and yes I had a heart attack when I was charged (by memory) 40% input duty. But there is nothing the seller can do here
Pete

d

The Tariffs between UK and US have been expensive. I just purchased a rearview mirror for my S3 Spider. The price at Classic Alfa in England was US $86.96. Then they add shipping of $31.95. Not terrible considering it's coming from England. DHL then texts me saying I owe $31.48 for import duties. Now I'm up to $150.39 for 1 Mirror. I was thinking that I should have purchased from Centerline. Nope. Their price for the same mirror is $229.00 plus $16.60 tax and $15.75 for standard shipping. Grand total from Centerline: $261.35! I checked out VickAuto and their price was $130.00 plus $18.89 shipping for a total of $148.89. All 3 offered the same exact mirror.

Conclusion: The tariffs add a hefty chunk to the cost of parts when buying from Classic Alfa or Alfaholics. Centerline is too expensive for most of their parts. I will buy from VickAuto in the future unless I must have a part that only those guys in England have. I do feel bad for both UK companies since they will lose business from the U.S.

One last thing.... Classic Auto never told me I'd have to pay a tariff when I purchased through them. I guess it's not their responsibility but it would have been nice to know the real cost of a purchase. It was DHL who hit me up for the $$
Thoughts??

For what it's worth..... (Google Gemini A.I. answer) I underlined some important points:

An automotive parts dealer in England will not know the final amount of tariffs for a shipment to the U.S. because the tariffs are assessed and paid by the importer, not the seller. The total cost to you will depend on factors that are determined by U.S. customs officials when the package arrives.

Why the dealer cannot give a final price

• Tariff is a tax on the importer: In the U.S., tariffs are paid by the entity that imports the goods into the country, which in this case is you, the American buyer. The English dealer is the exporter.
• Customs valuation: The tariff is not based on the final retail price you pay, but on the item's declared customs value, including transportation and insurance costs. This is often referred to as the CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value.
• Fluctuating rates: While a 10% tariff applies to most UK auto parts, it's subject to certain conditions. For example, the rate was increased to 25% for parts arriving after May 3, 2025, but was reduced for many auto parts under a new June 2025 deal. A dealer can provide an estimate based on current rates, but the final assessment happens at the border.
• Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS): The exact tariff rate depends on the specific product's HTS classification code. Customs officials will check that the item's description and code match what is on the invoice.

How the tariff will be paid
The shipping carrier (e.g., FedEx, UPS, or DHL) will handle the customs process and pay the tariff on your behalf. They will then bill you for these duties, taxes, and a service fee before or upon delivery.

What the dealer can do
To help you, the dealer should:

• Clearly state in the purchase agreement that you are responsible for import taxes and duties.
• Provide accurate documentation and a commercial invoice with the correct Harmonized System (HS) code for the part.
• Offer you an Incoterm called "Delivered Duty Paid" (DDP), if possible. In this scenario, the dealer assumes responsibility for all import costs, and you would pay a single, all-inclusive price. However, this is less common for small, international retail purchases.

 

All good info. Recently i learned, via a post on AlfaBB, about Pirateship.com.
Gotta say they are amazing. Had to ship a carbon bike frame for repair.
US Postal Service quoted about $160. UPS about the same. Thru Pirate I paid $50 and sent it via UPS.
Wish I could remember the Alfisti’s name because he/she deserve a major shoutout.