Customs bill from FedEx

[bcstuff]

About a month ago I received a shipment from Ray through FedEx. They called me for clearance and wanted to know what was being shipped from China. I stated they are LEDs lights for a Christmas Light display.

Fast forward to today and I received a bill from FedEx for customs charges on what they listed as Christmas Lights. Apparently Christmas lights are charged at an 8% rate on the declared value of $700. Plus FedEx's fee the total for the bill is $87 

I think the items should be reclassified since they are really just LEDs used for signs although I am using them for an unintended use. I plan to fill out a FedEx dispute form trying to get them reclassified.

Anyone have any experience with HTS classifications and /or dealing with this issue.

[johno123]

Yes, I got whacked with a FedEx customs bill as well this fall.  Your take on these being sign components is an interesting one. 

If I remember correctly, RJ didn't you run into  similar classification issues with customs when you were investigating manufacturing stateside?

[MrChristmas2000]

I seem to recall from somewhere it's best to just classify them as product samples.

Most of mine has been shipped through DHL and I have never been asked that question. Just a suggestion but if you order in the future request that it comes via DHL instead of FedEx.

[travailen]

I ordered a bunch of LED squares and about 300 feet of the 18 Ga RGB wire. There was no customs on the lights but there was a $7.00 charge for the wire. Has anyone has experienced customs charges from other shippers. Maybe there is a customs coding problem with FedEx.

Rick S

[bcstuff]

Previous orders were through DHL with no problems or questions.

[duane.mosley]

mine was shipped dhl with no issues.

[wwwgator]

Over the past 3 years, I have "sampled" more that $3K of products (mostly light or controllers)
The contact I had with the shippers told me to declarethem as samples, as long I dont even think about re-selling the items....no problem there....

Contest the charges and list them as samples.

[bassmants]

Wow, that's crazy.  I haven't ordered from Ray yet, but thanks for the heads up guys.