How will the recently implemented tariffs affect your doll collecting?

Hello, I was wondering has anyone ordered from Angell-studio directly and received no tariff bill? I know dealers like legenddoll is navigating that for customers but I wonder which bjd companies directly if any, are offering this as well? I’m trying to weigh my options.

 

I know there have been concerns lately about UPS destroying packages coming in from overseas due to overloading customs with tariff changes. Just wanted to let people know I ordered some shoes (being shipped from the UK) and USPS is handling the stateside leg of shipping. My package was officially released from Chicago customs last night without any notable delays.

 

@Thespian Who was the seller?

 

I've had like three packages coming from legend doll. They've been using sf express I think it's called. Last one came in like 2 weeks ago, and I haven't had any issues, it appears to be taken care of.

 

@Vimes oh great to hear! I have a body coming sometime and I just asked for SF Express after my bad experience with UPS!

 

Just as an FYI, UPS is one of the primary partners for SF Express. I was under the impression that they only handled the logistics and clearance of parcels until the last leg, but their business has changed substantially in the past few years: I know they also have their own private couriers for smaller, cheaper parcels as well. It looks like depending on the service that the sender uses, the delivery could be handled by multiple carriers.

I currently have a doll from Alice in transit, and it's being sent via SF Express, but the latest scan says "US Los Angeles sub contractor B - ups inbound exp."

I suspect that this doll will be delivered by UPS, but since Alice says that the parcels are tariff free, so I guess we will see when it is out for delivery.

 

Oh I see. I should check my past orders to see the sequences.
Yes mine say “sub contractor b-ups” too. But customs clearance is way before UPS gets it.

 

I missed a scan (mostly because there are so many repetitive scans), but it looks like they do clear it, before it gets picked up by UPS. This is a tariff-free/tax-free method (according to Alice), so there shouldn't be any extra fees upon delivery.

I am pretty sure UPS is gonna be delivering this one. I've had one of their private couriers deliver, but that was a budget option, not the express service. Alice ships certain dolls/order values with express, so it shouldn't be one of the budget/cheapie last leg carriers.

 

Royal Mail!

 

Thanks!

 

SO I should've clarified that my previous packages were accessories, like clothes, that new fancy head box, the like. And it had been delivered via their couriers. But today I had a doll delivered and it came via sub contractor b ups.

Anyone keeping track, I have not been asked for tariffs for ups and it was even delivered when I wasn't home so no cash on delivery or any of that or payment requests preventing its delivery.

 

It looks like if SF Express is handling UPS Express packages, they will handle the clearance. I missed that UPS got it *after* customs clearance in my scan (mostly cos SF Express has so. many. repetitive. scans ).

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In my previous post, I wrote that I suspected UPS to deliver my doll, and they did! I ordered from Alice, and SF Express handled everything up until it was passed onto UPS for ground delivery. No tariffs or fees upon delivery.

If UPS is handling the entirety of the delivery, then I would expect tariffs and duties. Please keep in mind that even after delivery, UPS may send out tariff/duty notices after delivery. Definitely validate that they are legit, but please also be aware that if it's legit and ignored, they can send it to collections. Just something to keep in mind as we are navigating this mess.

 

I have a head waiting to be shipped from Germany to me in the US. The seller tells me she has always used FedEx. I heard they are very expensive. Has anyone received anything from Europe by FedEx very recently? I need to know how safe this route might be after my terrible UPS experience. Also any information about import fees.

 

I have something pending from Lillycat; she shipped FedEx, but she already braced US recipients to expect customs/duty/brokerage fees. It's gonna be on par with UPS and DHL.

Edit: looks like a lot of FedEx packages are being stuck being in customs in Memphis, similar to the fiasco with UPS in Louisville.

 

Ugh! Thanks for that. Where did you get that info?

 

The delays with customs? It's being reported by all major news outlets, but you can also check individual subreddits for personal experiences as well. I have always handled/dealt with international mail... prolly over 20 years now? So I'm pretty familiar with what's going on! (Would never call myself an expert but I need to know what is going on because of the international shipments I deal with.)

As for tariff/duty/brokerage fees, all private couriers where the delivery is handled by the courier has always been expensive due to the brokerage fees. It's the reason why a lot of international buyers never wanted US shippers to use them and to stick with USPS because their local national postal service doesn't charge a $35+ fee for it. Most US buyers never had to worry about customs clearance before because of de minimis, but now that things have changed with the current president, a lot of stuff that we've never had to personally deal with has become our reality. The unfortunate part is that everything is changing so quickly due to the whims of the president and the fact that all of this is unprecedented, so everyone is figuring it out as we go.

 

And all so unnecessary.
We have had a lot of blissful shopping and shipping thus far. I feel very lucky to have the things I have!
Are you still receiving the international shipments okay?

So far this is what is working either personally or word of mouth that I know of:
Aliexpress (has its own shipping)
SF Express with UPS last mile (China)
Royal Post with USPS last mile (England)
Any others?

 

If a company offers tax-free shipping, they most likely will use a logistics company to help clear customs to avoid tariff/duty/brokerage fees. So companies like the ones listed below should be safe:
- SF Express
- Uni Uni
- Yanwen
- GOFO

All of them have their own private drivers, so if your order is not being shipped Express (the shipper will be able to tell you; best example with transparency is Alice -- certain doll orders will always ship Express, but they use an Airmail-type service for accessories, etc.), the last mile will most likely be their drivers. That said, SF Express and Yanwen will partner with other couriers such as FedEx, USPS, and UPS for last mile, but again, if shipped with a tax-free method, there should not be taxes/duty/fees upon delivery.

If shipping by national mail service, it's been reported that USPS is unequipped to handle tariffs, so if someone is able to ship to the US using their national mail service, then you may be in the clear. That said, other than Royal Mail, a lot of countries are still not shipping to the US. I noticed that for a lot of EU countries, parcels must be prepaid by the *sender* to US Customs before delivery, so countries have completely suspended national mail shipments to the US. (Honestly wild. I would absolutely not ship to the US if they require the sender to prepay taxes on US shipments.) Example: La Poste, Post Nord, Japan Post.

SingPost will ship to the US using SpeedPost, but they note that fees are the responsibility of the recipient.

Private couriers like DHL, UPS, FedEx who handle the entire delivery will very likely impose taxes/duties/brokerage fees for clearing customs. Expect this to be expensive especially if the packages are not underdeclared. You also may not receive a bill until after delivery as it's been reported by many hobbyists in the community on the BJD Discord, Facebook, and Reddit. (I haven't had doll items shipped with any of these couriers since this began, so I personally cannot attest to it.)

Note: EMS Premium out of Korea is NOT EMS through national mail service, so USPS will not be delivering your EMS Premium parcel; this is a UPS service, so expect to pay duties. That said, most companies underdeclare, so if you pay, it probably won't be high other than the de facto brokerage fees.

One last thing, some companies are offering to prepay tariffs for customers. So if purchasing from someone and you are worried about this, please ask them in advance. Sartoriaj is prepaying DHL tariffs for customers, so if you are asked to pay, you need to contact them immediately!

Regardless of where you purchase from, it's always best to check and ask on the shipping method and if it is tax-free, so you can be best prepared.

 

Germany is still only allowing gifts under $100 with DHL and it seems a couple other couriers have suspended sending to US altogether for the moment so FedEx and I think UPS are the only options for more valuable items right now. FedEx will collect tax/tariff and will send you the bill 2 weeks to a month after you've already received the package.