Helmet: Ordering from Great Britain?

[judithk]

@Bunker - For vendors, I’d do two things to verify reliability:

(1) If the vendor is in the UK, see if they’re a member of BETA - the British Equestrian Trade Association.

(2) Check the helmet manufacturer’s website to find out if the vendor is an authorized reseller for that manufacturer.

Regarding customs fees in the U.S., you can take my word for it that a helmet should not be subject to any import fee, or you can do the research yourself by consulting the 2017 Harmonized Tariff Schedule. For helmets, you want to look at chapter 65 - page 9 - plus the section titled “General Notes,” which will help you understand what you’re looking at in chapter 65.

For anything other than helmets, you’d find the info in the same place, but you’d have to locate the appropriate chapter - of the 99 chapters in the manual! (No, I’m not kidding . . . .)

[IPEsq]

@Bunker

Any thoughts on ordering from Equiport (UK) or Tailored Equestrian (Ireland)? And how do you know if you are going to be charged duties/customs? It seems random…

I’d also like to know if Equiport is a good company. My schooling pair of DeNiro boots are dying and their lower level boots are a great price on this site!

[Bunker]

Thanks Judith. I was actually going to order some boots. I have ordered bits, etc from Equiport with good results but never larger items. Boots would be about $500 US $. I’ll check out the table. Thanks again.

[judithk]

@Bunker - “Footwear” --> chapter 64. If you need help, let me know.

[soloudinhere]

@Bunker

Any thoughts on ordering from Equiport (UK) or Tailored Equestrian (Ireland)? And how do you know if you are going to be charged duties/customs? It seems random…

It’s not random. Shipments under a certain amount are exempt from duties.

I have bought a helmet from Equiport and boots from Tailored Equestrian and been very happy with both companies.

[judithk]

@soloudinhere

(regarding import tariffs) . . . It’s not random. Shipments under a certain amount are exempt from duties.

I’m not certain that’s correct. Looking at the tariff tables for both helmets and footwear, I don’t see anything regarding the value of the item when you’re importing a single item for personal use. Rather, the tariffs seem to be based on very specific criteria pertaining to the materials, fabrication, country of origin, and intended use of the item.

You may be correct that they simply ignore anything below a certain value . . . but I wouldn’t count on it.

It’s possible to telephone directly to one of the U.S. Customs ports of entry and ask. It may take some patience to get through to the right person, but it’s not impossible. (Calling the main U.S. Customs number is useless, though - you’ll never get past the recordings!)

[soloudinhere]

@judithk

I’m not certain that’s correct. Looking at the tariff tables for both helmets and footwear, I don’t see anything regarding the value of the item when you’re importing a single item for personal use. Rather, the tariffs seem to be based on very specific criteria pertaining to the materials, fabrication, country of origin, and intended use of the item.

You may be correct that they simply ignore anything below a certain value . . . but I wouldn’t count on it.

It’s possible to telephone directly to one of the U.S. Customs ports of entry and ask. It may take some patience to get through to the right person, but it’s not impossible. (Calling the main U.S. Customs number is useless, though - you’ll never get past the recordings!)

I have never (in more than 10 years of buying equipment and supplies in the UK and Europe) ever been charged duty on items of less than $800 in total value. The only time I have paid duty, I purchased two saddles.

I received an Equiport order valued at well over 500 pounds three months ago - no duties.

[judithk]

@soloudinhere

I have never (in more than 10 years of buying equipment and supplies in the UK and Europe) ever been charged duty on items of less than $800 in total value.

Well, that’s good to know - and much easier than having to look up individual tariffs! Thanks!!!

[amb]

The current limit is $800. It was raised a while ago (2005ish), but even before then it was often the case that they just didn’t bother. (Not that it keeps DHL from charging brokerage fees! Jerks.) It’s also useful to make sure you’re looking at VAT-exclusive prices, as that skews things considerably. (You don’t have to pay VAT ordering to the US from the UK, which is basically a 20% discount on the domestic price, but some sellers are similarly jerks and quietly keep it.)

As for the original question, Equiflair has been great to me.

[greysfordays]

Just wanted to thank judithk for starting this thread. I ordered breeches from Equishop and they noticed I lived in California and warned me that a pair I ordered were a winder model made from a softshell. They thought they would be too hot for California.

That is some pretty super service, they even allowed me to swap for a different pair with a slightly higher price. I usually shop justriding bc they have a name your own price feature (That is AWESOME) but Equishop is giving them some serious competition.

[Blugal]

I haven’t bought a helmet but chiming in on import. I’ve ordered quite a bit from the UK to Canada and have only ever had import duties when I purchased from Cork Farm Equestrian. Too bad because I like their stuff and staff was helpful, but the duties were quite hefty, twice.