melusine

Hello,
I am in the process of obtaining quotes for shipping my stuff from the UK to the USA. I was exploring whether I could afford to do this in two shipments - one now'ish and one late spring next year after (hopefully) we sell our UK house.


In the course of a call with one mover company today I was told that if I shipped in this way I would be liable to pay duty on the second shipment as only the first would qualify for an exemption as household goods.


This sounded odd to me and I wondered if it was actually correct?


Thanks


melly

Pulaski

If it's your stuff, your "household effects", you can ship them to the US however you like, though one shipment will likely be cheaper than splitting into two shipments.

We airfreighted a little, then sent a container, and I have subsequently made two other shipments (multiple trunks and packing cases) of stuff from my parents home, where I had stored some things, and shipped tools after my father died, and there was never a suggestion that duty was paid on any of the shipments.

melusine

Thank you! That was what I was anticipating to be the case but I was really thrown when I was told (very categorically!) differently today.


I know it is likely to be more expensive to do it in two lots than one but I really don't want the kids to wait for all their books and familiar stuff, my husband to wait for his (8!) boxes of tools or have to do without or replace all my baking equipment until next summer after we sell our house.


melly

Pulaski

You're welcome. I'd just ignore that shipper and go with one of the others. There's no need to deal with an organization that wants to complicate matters unnecessarily.

kirstyp

As the very wise Pulaski says, no problem with sending multiple shipments as long as the personal effects have been used by you for over 12 months and aren't new. There is actually some pretty good FAQ on importing on the US customs. site here which might be of interest if you've got questions about importation that you want to double check from what you're being told by your movers. https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...rearms%2C-gift

melusine

Thank you Kirstyp. I have now dropped those movers from consideration before even obtaining a quotation as if they can't get this right who knows what else will go wrong!