US Tariff Ruling N297495 = 2.6% mandatory tariff on bitcoin mining hardware

[mikespax]

I'm out here looking up how likely it is I would get sued and how they would ever serve me papers since I don't live in America. But you guys may be giving me some semblance of hope. I remember getting a similar notice from UPS from something a while back, but it was only for a few hundred, so I just paid it without any fuss despite it coming in MONTHS after the fact.

What's weird is her response to my email is written in garbage english, and the fedex.com URL in her signature isn't even spelled correctly.

I called up the phone number and got to a voicemail that did match the name though. I have not yet received any instructions on how to pay.

The V9s were imported on Feb 14, 2018. I do see the thing about disputing for $75 each. Should I be talking to a lawyer about this?

Here's all the info I have if you guys don't mind taking a look..
I suppose I could take out a loan to pay this off, but honestly, I'll probably just dodge it if I can.

https://imgur.com/a/X9xil4f

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[minefarmbuy]

Contact fedex directly from their website, this sounds and looks scammy so you're probably fine. Just tell them about about possible scam mail. Imagine it will end there.

[mikespax]

Total bill ends up being about $75 or something. The new fee is just 2.6% of the original declared value. Person at FedEx who was communicating with me via email just doesn't really have any regard for grammar and spacing, and how to spell fedex.com.

A 6084 is a TYPE of bill, that they assumed I would understand, rather than meaning a bill for $6084. Crisis averted, thanks all.

[mgoz]

It is interesting that these orders are over a year old and have not been liquidated yet. They are supposed to automatically liquidate after 314 days unless customs extends the time, which they can do three times in one-year increments. That means it can take over 3 years for formal entries to liquidate. Is all of the redacted info your personal info or FedEx's? They are listed as the importer of record on the one form.

[mikespax]

On the docs I received. It says the liquidation date is 0/0/0000.

Perhaps that's something I could use to my benefit? It really looks like the employee I'm dealing with doesn't give a shit about anything.

[philipma1957]

Okay so you owe 75$  correct?

If all it is 75$ you may be better off paying the 75$.

Especially if you have a lot of orders not processed yet.

You would be better off paying for the 75$ and not digging up more orders.

Of pissing off an a-hole clerk at fedex.

[mikespax]

Correct. The total owed will just be around $75 which is 2.6% of the original stated value. No big deal.

[philipma1957]

Correct. The total owed will just be around $75 which is 2.6% of the original stated value. No big deal.

I would pay it.  And hope you are done.
I have paid six bills for about 400.  But I think I am done.

FedEx has not shipped to me in more then 14 months

[Searing]

Again, is it ALL FedEx with these issues? I've not really seen any UPS stuff flying though here for past stuff due import wise...or did I just miss such?

Anyway, seems the odds of UPS are better than FedEx at this point in time. I've like 95% UPS and have not (yet) gotten anything bill wise as an adjustment.

Wondering I was on above.

edit: heard today from a buddy that got 2 L3+ units from www.eastshore.xyz and he paid NO tariff. Just saying. FYI.

[mgoz]

Again, is it ALL FedEx with these issues? I've not really seen any UPS stuff flying though here for past stuff due import wise...or did I just miss such?

My guess would be that it is primarily FedEx and customs discovered they classified large amounts of orders incorrectly. Other shippers either classified correctly, entries liquidated already, or they are eating it themselves. If you look at the paperwork the last guy posted, FedEx is listed as the importer of record and they certified the accuracy. Importer of record is liable for taxes and duties, but customs can go after the ultimate consignee. These letters show that customs is going after FedEx though. In return, FedEx is sending letters stating that additional duties may be charged.

The interesting thing in the last guy's situation is that FedEx received the notice from customs in April showing that a rate advance has been taken. FedEx claims they will pay it and then bill him if they receive a bill, but show no proof they actually received a bill or paid it. 19 CFR 152.2 only allows the importer of record 20 days from the date customs mailed Form 29 to dispute why the rate advance should not be taken, otherwise it's then liquidated with the new rate. These letters do not indicate whether FedEx disputed it and ultimate consignee was notified by FedEx more than 20 days after FedEx received Form 29, yet they want you to pay $75 to dispute it after they no longer can, indicating the shipment has already been liquidated, as their formal protest citation is for liquidated entries. They also list the liquidation date as 00/00/0000 probably to cause further confusion to get you to pay.

For small amounts I'd just pay, but if it was something large, I'd consider ignoring FedEx's requests. Once FedEx has already paid it and it's liquidated, customs is not coming after you. It'd be a different story if customs sent Form 29 to you directly. FedEx can try to collect from you somehow or even refuse to ship to you, but unless they showed proof they actually paid the rate advance, I wouldn't pay them a penny more. Being a large company, it's possible they could have easily worked out a deal with customs to settle all of these incorrect classifications for a lesser amount than what was actually owed and are now just trying to recoup their expenses by sending letters to customers.

[Searing]

Anyone seen any 'experts' on this 25% policy being reversed soon? Not saying at the current difficulty with Bitcoin and other Crypto Coins, it still would make a lot of sense to get an ASIC POW miner of any crypto flavor. But damn, this 25% import tariff kills that idea, dubious or not, deader than dead, as soon as a 'concept' of such crosses my mind!

I'd like to think it was going to happen from current progress within the last month at most say 2 months from now. But that is a wild and half-assed guesses/hopes/whatever.

Anyway, just tossing it out there. Hopefully, folk are more on the ball progress than me on here and can post some links.

Brad


Just an aside. IF you managed to get say a 'demo' unit from an ASIC manufacturer inside China to send you a unit FREE for review. (yes, I mean this for you Philipma1957, I'd never have your luck)..but anyway, if the unit was free, there would be no 'tariff' per se right? Now that might be too 'cute' but at least, if a trusted 'reviewer' of this 'demo' ASIC product, IF you did keep such after the 'review'. You would only have to pay the 'retail price' in that the tariff, did not apply? (again, sketchy and unlikely, but worse that would happen is you'd pay the tariff on your demo unit before or after the fact....looking for an 'angle' here dubious or not) (Note: This only applies to Philipma1957 us other 'non-solar' minions don't approach his god-like powers to pull this off)

But again, how do 'tariffs' apply to goods that are sent to say the press/or to be tested at U.L. labs or above? Free is Free right? Thus, NO tariffs?

[minefarmbuy]

Chances aren't likely many receive a demo at zero cost but technically duties (with tariff) are subject to 27.6% of unit cost times unit quantity. Maybe free is free but without researching further myself, I might expect duties to be due on the CI value. Regardless either way is deal on a unit.

[philipma1957]

So my guy in Clifton wants 50k in new gear.

He has trust worthy people in the PR

So if he brings in 50k to Puerto Rico is that the USA?

No guessing.  I know that the PR was subject to weird import rules when they were getting aid for the Hurricane.  Trump had to waive some bizarre thing. That waiver is over.

So maybe that rule would help anyone that has a PR connection for shipping.

Could help a lot of people here if it is a clean loop hole.

[Searing]

Found this on google, it is basically referring to the 'past' tariff's with Mexico and Canada on such. Also future EU actions.

https://pasquines.us/2018/03/15/trumps-trade-war-would-affect-puerto-rico/

So even though you said NO guessing, I'd find it hard to believe that if those apply, China would get a pass.

will keep looking

Brad


Well found this: Seems that USA custom rules apply. So the tariff would be a go, just like the rest of the USA in Puerto Rico.

https://en.portal.santandertrade.com/international-shipments/puerto-rico/customs-procedures

[philipma1957]

Yeah oh well. I agree that is a closed loopHole.

[Searing]

At this point any loophole is moot unless you can find s (omeone in Mexico trustworthy ship it there and then drive it into the USA in that manner.

(Damn, unlikely) Alas!

10% additional tariff to China announcement below:

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/01/trump-says-us-will-impose-10percent-tariffs-on-300-billion-of-chinese-goods-starting-september-1.html

So now we are at 36.7%, with the previous 25% tariff and 2.6% regular import fees. Thus this added 10% tariff starting Septemeber 1st,  on Chinese ASIC miners of any flavor.

I'm not sure what price of BTC or any crypto altcoin would have to be at the current difficulty in the USA would 'float the boat'. Add pre-orders to this and no way to any indeed!

A buddy says he also expects, regardless of the above, that BTC difficulty will double by the end of this year.

Sheesh.

[RodeoX]

...
10% additional tariff to China announcement below:
...

This should be a great help to China. It's not like they are buying U.S. made ASICs.
What a moron Trump is.

[philipma1957]

At this point any loophole is moot unless you can find s (omeone in Mexico trustworthy ship it there and then drive it into the USA in that manner.

(Damn, unlikely) Alas!

10% additional tariff to China announcement below:

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/01/trump-says-us-will-impose-10percent-tariffs-on-300-billion-of-chinese-goods-starting-september-1.html

So now we are at 36.7%, with the previous 25% tariff and 2.6% regular import fees. Thus this added 10% tariff starting Septemeber 1st,  on Chinese ASIC miners of any flavor.

I'm not sure what price of BTC or any crypto altcoin would have to be at the current difficulty in the USA would 'float the boat'. Add pre-orders to this and no way to any indeed!

A buddy says he also expects, regardless of the above, that BTC difficulty will double by the end of this year.

Sheesh.

not going to happen we won't be at a diff of 19 by dec 31.

Barring a price of 20k for coins.

a diff of 19k means  all s9's will be turned off if coins are 10k    there are at least 35-45eh of the current 75eh   it more then ½ the network.

at 19 diff price of 10500 the s9's are worthless at 4 cent power.  So the network would need to add a ton of new gear and drop all the s9's

of course if price is 20k  s9's are still good and diff could 2x by jan

[Saucy]

Just received another order from DHL with only 2.6% fees again. I don't know how it's getting by customs or what Bitmain is classifying them as. There is no indication of the HS code on any of my paperwork or invoices. My previous order had a sticker on the box that said server, so maybe Bitmain is classifying them under 8471.50 again.

Hey friend, I may be buying some of antminer ASICS soon.

I was wondering if DHL ever hit you up for the duty fees?

I really appreciate any info you might have!   

[Gabrics]

They do, they are worse than Fedex. DHL withold a miner from the shipment until they received the their fee.