CT Sale - anyone else get a customs duty e-mail?

[new obsession]

I placed to orders with CT during the big sale and $100 off. I received a notice that the first order (shoes) shipped several days ago. Today I received an e-mail from CT with the following text:

*****
Thank you for placing an order with Charles Tyrwhitt.

Your order is currently being processed in our warehouse, and is due to leave us shortly. Parcels sent from the UK are susceptible to being intercepted by US Customs. Should this be the case, it is very likely that US Duty will be levied, which you will be responsible for paying.

There will also be an additional handling fee applied to the charge. Please don't concern yourself with this, as we will take full responsibility for paying it.

What we propose is for Charles Tyrwhitt to pay the Duty charge initially, with a view to recouping the customs fee from you once you have received the goods. The amount of US duty will be approximately 20% of your total order value.

We will provide you with a copy of the customs charge invoice, and settle the details of re payment with you directly.

However, in the event that you are not prepared to pay the US duty as detailed above, please let us know at your soonest convenience. This will mean however, that we will be unable to send your order to you.

We would be most obliged if you could let us know how you wish to proceed as promptly as possible, so as to minimise further delay.

We apologise for any inconvenience that this matter, which is outside our control, may cause you. Should you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to call us on 1 866 730 0257.

Best regards
Christophe Gavard
Customer Service Representative
Charles Tyrwhitt
******

I have ordered from them a few times in the past and not gotten this email. Has anyone else gotten it? Did anyone else get it on the most recent set of sale orders? Any thoughts?

 

[dirk diggler]

and why do you think they gave $100 off ???

 

[new obsession]

Originally Posted by dirk diggler

and why do you think they gave $100 off ???

But why then would it apply to one order and not the other?

 

[DGP]

Originally Posted by new obsession

But why then would it apply to one order and not the other?


It could have to do with the cost of the order, or the items, I believe. If the items from one order were available at US CT stores, but not the items from the other order, that might have something to do with it.

 

[trogdor]

Pretty good of them to give you the heads-up like that, though. I got shafted on a BB shirt I had sent up to Canada, when a simple e-mail like this would have made me feel much happier about the whole thing.

 

[DocHolliday]

I wonder if the "order value" is what you paid or Tyrwhitt's overinflated retail prices?

 

[Roger]

Originally Posted by trogdor

Pretty good of them to give you the heads-up like that, though. I got shafted on a BB shirt I had sent up to Canada, when a simple e-mail like this would have made me feel much happier about the whole thing.
How so? What difference does it make whether the shipper collects the duty and/or taxes or Canada Customs does? When you purchased from BB, didn't you expect that you would be charged PST + GST? To be honest, I'd rather that the shipper not collect duties and taxes, because often Canada Customs lets things through and you never actually have to pay them.

FWIW, I just received an order from CT. The total cost was 78 GBP (plus 12 GBP for shipping). They did not do what was done with New Obsession, in that the price charged by CT was just for the goods and shipping. Canada Customs, however, did extend its big paw and collected duties (18% on goods from non-NAFTA countries) and taxes (the usual GST--now 6%--and PST, 7%).

 

[Sartorially Challenged]

What items did you order?

 

[matadorpoeta]

if you're in the US, the odds are slim that you'll have to pay customs. if you do, the courier (fedex, ups, dhl, etc...) should pay the bill for you and then bill you directly.

in other words, you pay the courier the customs fees, not the company that sent you the product.

 

[new obsession]

What items did you order?

The item that lead to the e-mail was the cream colored cotton suit (one pair of pants, two coats (couldn't decide size)).

if you're in the US, the odds are slim that you'll have to pay customs

That's what I figured as well. Interesting, however, that with all the orders I have placed with them. This was the first message I got.

 

[Vintage Gent]

Originally Posted by trogdor

I got shafted on a BB shirt I had sent up to Canada, when a simple e-mail like this would have made me feel much happier about the whole thing.

Call me ignorant on such matters, but didn't NAFTA eliminate such troubles with goods passed between the states and the Great White North?

 

[Fabro]

Originally Posted by Vintage Gent

Call me ignorant on such matters, but didn't NAFTA eliminate such troubles with goods passed between the states and the Great White North?

It depends on actual location of manufacture. If a shirt, for example, was made in the US or Mexico it can come into Canada duty free. But if Brooks manufactures offshore, then you get hit with duties that depend on the country. 18% on clothing is typical.

On top on this, and not connected to NAFTA, we also pay provincial and federal sales tax. Where I live, this is currently 13%. All-in-all, it can make for some real sticker shock on that mail order parcel.

 

[LegB4Wicket]

To my fellow Canadian (and American) forum colleagues:

As one who makes numerous purchases online from foreign countries, why on earth should the store or manufacturer pay your duties and taxes for you?

Normally when you order items from Britain and Europe the company removes the VAT (value added tax) from your order as you are not living in that country and the goods will not be used there. You are not being taxed twice.

The reason why so many of us decide to purchase clothing on-line is either we cannot acquire the goods in person or it is less expensive online. By making this decision, it's up to the individual to be aware of any potential import duties or taxes that might have to be paid.

If you are so concerned over import duties, stop making international purchases and instead support your domestic manufacturers and stores.

The same must be said about ordering from the States. NAFTA does not cover sales taxes. That was not its intention. It was designed to remove barriers to trade by manufacturers and producers, not the end consumer.

I don't whinge about paying the duties. I fully know They will most likely have to be paid. It's a pleasant surprise when I'm not charged.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not a protectionist and I wholly support the free movement of goods and I feel Canada is way over-taxed due to our outdated socialist medical system and other nanny-state programs (pogroms?) imposed on us by left-wing governments and the bleeding hearts.

Take some personal responsibility for your purchases for crying out load! No one forced you to buy offshore.

Regards,

LBW

 

[arced]

Not to threadjack, but does anyone else's order still say "order processing"?

I ordered the two suede chukkas, but they've been listed as "order processing" ever since I placed it....

 

[Roger]

Originally Posted by LegB4Wicket

To my fellow Canadian (and American) forum colleagues:

As one who makes numerous purchases online from foreign countries, why on earth should the store or manufacturer pay your duties and taxes for you?
Some suppliers insist on doing this, so that, as the customer, you have no choice in the matter! Rather than asking the customer this question, you might direct it to CT. As I mentioned earlier, it's better when stores don't do this (because sometimes Canada Customs doesn't collect). I don't think New Obsession is failing to take personal responsibility for his purchase, just asking why CT has started doing this. I too would have been a little ticked if that had happened to me with my order from them. And although I don't "whinge" when assessed duties, I do cringe!

To me, as a Canadian purchaser, the bigger problem is with the courier companies that insist on collecting duties and taxes. The biggest problem that I've had has been with UPS, who insist in collecting all possible duties and taxes and then slap a big brokerage fee on top of already hefty shipping charges. For a Canadian, the best possible method of shipping from the US at least is by USPS services. If it is possible, I ask for Global Priority Mail. These USPS services have the advantage of (a) being quite reasonable to start with, (b) charging absolutely no brokerage fee, and (c) not collecting any taxes owing. Often, therefore, a package will sail through with no taxes collected. Much of the savings available from online sellers vanishes once UPS or other like-minded couriers get the shipping work.