pipemakersforum.com

Maybe everyone already knows this but just incase I'm going to post it anyway. The first time I bought briar from overseas UPS wouldn't give me the package until I paid them $60--The driver told me it was shipping cost--I had already paid for the shipping but rather than stand there arguing with him I wrote UPS a check so I could have my package.

Last month I bought another batch from Mimmo--when I placed the order I told him about the problem with UPS charging me more for shipping--he said no problem--everything would be taken care of on his end. The package arrived on my doorstep when I wasn't home so I thought everything was cool--no extra charge this time. Yesterday I get a bill in the mail from UPS for $88 bucks. What?! So this morning, I spent about an hour on the phone with UPS trying to get to the bottom of it. After several transfers, I talked to a lady who knew what she was talking about. I was being charged a tarriff rate for importing "finished briar pipes"--the description of what I bought was all jacked up.

Here's the bottom-line--make sure whoever you buy briar from describes the goods as "Raw Materials--briar wood" with the duty classification of "4403.10.0060". Most raw materials (including wood) is duty free and we shouldn't be paying any import taxes on our briar.

I just want to save anyone else the hassle, time and money of figuring this out. If this is common knowledge please excuse the post and/or Kurt can delete it--I was clueless.

Dave

Wow Dave...thanks for the heads up. I had no idea!

Thank you, Dave. That's an interesting information ; I have to verify if it is the same here in France with importing wood materials.

Happy smoking
David

This forum is so helpful in numerous ways.

Hey Kurt,

Can you make this topic a sticky one so it is always on top?

Well maybe I wasn't the only one then who didn't know afterall. I was imagining everyone giving me the " " look. I just like to share what I learn.

David (Carthagena) like you said, you'll need to check out France's import rules--the duty class I quoted is from the US import regulations.

Dave

Hi Dave,

This is off the subject of this particular thread, but your sig line says where your pipes are available, but when I click the link, I don't see a page for pipes on that site. Just guns & such.

I was just interested in seeing your pipes.

Rad

Hey Rad,
Greg is only a storefront--no online stuff for my pipes. He knew I didn't have an outlet to sell my pipes so he offered to sell them at his store. Not the best place but it was better than nothing--on the positive side Greg's a big name in the flintlock world and has people from all over the country visit his shop--plus several big name country music people live out in that area so when he offered I didn't think it could hurt. My website isn't up yet--my Nephew is working on it but he and his wife are having a baby soon so his time is limited. That's ok too because I only have a handful of pipes that I feel good about to offer for sale. Someday I'll have my own site--fingers crossed.

Dave

Well, good luck with the website.

Let us all know when it's up and running. The last 2 pipes you've posted definitely looked good enough to sell.

Rad

Thanks Rad! I check your website pretty often--I wish I could muster half of your production--there's no way I can finish that many pipes while matching the quality of your work. Someday maybe but no time soon.

Dave

Thanks for the heads up Dave. You're not alone because I also had no idea.




Jaden