I am considering ordering something direct from Hamann, but have a question. Once they ship it to the US, I have to pick it up at my local airport (customs I assume). What are the fee's that I will encounter when I arrive to pick up my package? Local taxes right or could this be considered "Duty Free"? What other fee's? Has anyone dealt with this before?

 

cman

I would not consider it duty free as no one but your self has paid taxes. Also, the only fees associated with self p/u might be a handling fee, but I would not think that the case. I have picked up packages before at an airport and have not run into any issues. If you want to know for sure prior to p/u, I might call the customs official (should have number on airport directory). Either way, good luck, and I hope it's a long drive!

 

So what fee's should I consider? For example, let's say the item is $500. What does US Customs require at the time of pick-up, other than proper ID? I know when you fly into the US from overseas, you have to declare things over a certain value, but I'm not sure how it works here... I just don't want any surprises. If I end up paying $500 to Hamann now and get to JFK in a few weeks to find out I owe another $200 in BS fee's, I'll be pissed. Anyone ever buy something like this and have it shipped this way?

 

ATS77 is our Hamann expert. Drop him a PM.

 

Isn't there going to be an import tax that will inflate the price?

 

I've purchased stuff through eBay Germany before from private sellers and the item goes straight to my address without any additional fees. The policies may be different between private and business sales though.

 

Yeah, fortunately, I have family that is German. I think I'm going to have Hamann ship it to them and then have them ship it directly to me.

 

Right, that's what I'm wondering. And what is that "import tax %"?

 

I hope you compared what the difference is in price in Germany and here. Cuz you can just order those part through local authorized shops.

 

Two steps ahead of you bro . WheelPower wants $850 shipped to my door and BavAuto wants $900. These are the only two places that can get them for me, here in the states. Hamann direct wants 385 Euro's, which works out to $507 US. Shipping is 86 Euro's, which is $113 US. This saves me $200 - $300. I'm actually working with some family over in Germany to have it sent to them and then have my family send it to me, via UPS. This way they can repackage it and we can declare the value for $200 or so, so the taxes I'll pay once it arrives in the US, will be much less. This way I can also have it shipped to my house and not have to go to JFK International Airport and deal with customs (this was the only way Hamann could send it to me. I'm assuming because it has to be crated).