Re: Bitmain launches the Z9 Equihash miner

I just got a text message from UPS about import duties. I am in Texas, USA.

The are charging me 367.87 !!!!

This is the breakdown:

IMPORT CHARGES
NOTE: the total value used for calculation of all Duty-based fees is 0.00.
Government Charges: 356.87
Brokerage Charges: 11.00
Freight Charges: 0.00

356.87 / 1400 (2 Z9 minis at $600 each + shipping fees) = about 25%

Looks like US folks are getting hit with the new Trump tariffs on Chinese goods.

Ugh. Is anyone facing the same issue?

Did you get any information on how this was being classified? I'm looking at https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/enforcement/301Investigations/List%202.pdf and https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/enforcement/301Investigations/List%201.pdf trying to see what it may fall under. Can you call UPS and find out what tarriff classification this is being hit with? Perhaps this is something we can appeal/change.

See https://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2018/07/06/what-if-trump-imposes-even-more-china-tariffs/#5339ebfdad9d as an example: specifically the line "Consumer goods have been avoided for the most part, with a focus instead on industrial components such as PC components ($1.39 billion)" -- I would classify this as a a "consumer good", as it is absolutely not a "pc component".

Also see: https://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/bychapter/index.htm

And: https://dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/tariff.asp -- which i haven't figured out how to use yet.

If we can find out how it is being classified in HTS, there is maybe hope?

-j

I called UPS and also double checked my invoice for my import code.

UPS is useless. They say that it's the government that assessed it, so I need to talk to customs in order to challenge the assessment. They have no information other than that the government assessed the fee, and they (UPS) need to collect said fee before delivery.

Checking my invoice from Bitmain, the specified HS/HTS code is 8471.50.0150. I can't find this code in the two links you provided (@efudd). So I'm not sure how my item is assessed such high duties.

https://rulings.cbp.gov/search?term=8471.50.0150

That is 8471.50.0150.

8471.50.01* is "free" for category 1.... which I don't understand yet, and 35% for category 2. Still searching, and I'll edit this post as I can figure out more.
I have 2 Z9s coming via UPS and 1 Z9 via DHL "soon" -- so I'm vested in understanding how to avoid this, if possible.

Ok, this document describes column 1 general&special, and column 2: https://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/archive/9100/910gn1.pdf

Specifically, column2 is defined by countries listed in 3b, otherwise, with nothing specified, the lowest rate applies, which in this case, appears to be "free".

I'm basing this on https://hts.usitc.gov/?query=8471 which lead me to chapter 84 (link 'Download chapter' on that page), and https://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/archive/9100/910gn1.pdf

I'm unsure if the USITC document is the most recent.

As of ~5:30-5:45PM Eastern, both US International trade Commission and US Customs and Border Patrol offices are closed -- tried to call both for more clarity.

Please share more as you can learn -- I'm unsure how to 'attack' this, but my ignorant searches suggest tax on this classification should be 1/general/free based on the parent classification code of 8471 and china not being listed in "3b".