Extra import fees for hats from Australia?

[H Weinstein]

Hello! New guy here (living in Maryland USA). Fascinating forum and great source of practical info!

I'm thinking of ordering an Akubra from Australia (cost should be under $150)...just wondering if others who've had hats shipped from there to the US have incurred extra duty or import tax fees? I've ordered stuff shipped from other countries before and never had to pay any duties or fees -- but they were items under $100, so I don't know if that makes a difference.

I did call the USPS, but I'm not sure I got accurate info there.

Any info anyone can share would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Howard W

 

[Neophyte]

Most of the Akubras you'll find are shipped to the US via EMS courier shipping, which I've found to be faster than most shipping here in the US.

Depending on the hat and shipping you want, you're looking somewhere between $100-$200. I myself have ordered 4 Akubra fedoras from HatsDirect, and no fees or import taxes. Just the cost of the item, tax, and the cost of shipping. Most of the hats were between $80-$95, which coupled with the fastest shipping (Australia to Tennessee in about 3 days), cost me about $140 each.

 

[Doctor Strange]

I've bought Akburas from several dealers (Everything Australian, Aussie Bush Hats & Oilskins, Hats Direct, etc.), and never had any import fees added.

 

[theinterchange]

Welcome!

First, welcome to the Lounge! Glad you're finding us useful!

Second, I've ordered 6+ hats from Australia and haven't had to pay any import fees. I don't recall anyone else mentioning that they have, either.

Randy

 

[H Weinstein]

Thanks!

You guys have pretty much answered the question...and it was actually the answer I was hoping for! How often does THAT happen?
Now, if only I could decide which hat to get...

 

[theinterchange]

You guys have pretty much answered the question...and it was actually the answer I was hoping for! How often does THAT happen?
Now, if only I could decide which hat to get...

Glad to help!

Which hats are you leaning toward?

 

[Spats McGee]

Welcome to the Lounge!

I've ordered 3 Akubras, all from Everything Australian, and never had to pay any import duties.

Ah, which hat to choose? Now, that's an entirely different problem. We Loungers seem to suffer from the common ailment that we can never seem to pick just one . . .

 

[H Weinstein]

Westerns...maybe Boss of the Plains? Any bashing experiences to be shared..?

I'm a western hat fan. And I've found that a 4-inch brim (which so many western hats have) is too big for me...and a 3 1/4 is a a tad too small...whereas (in Goldilocks fashion) a 3 1/2 brim is just right. But I'm not a real tall person (5' 8"), so a really tall crown is too much hat.

And I prefer a pinch/teardrop style...and I want Sand or Silverbelly to add to the black and brown hats I already have (Stetsons). Unfortunately, finding an Akubra that meets my checklist is proving tough to do.

That's why, after reading a bunch of the bash threads, I'm thinking of trying a Boss of the Plains and attempting to bring the crown down to around 4.5 inches, then reshaping the brim to give it a little more shape.

Has anyone tried bashing a Boss of the Plains?

Thanks!

 

[Spats McGee]

I'd suggest that you take some time to browse the Akubra Overload thread. There's Akubras of all flavors there, on guys of all shapes and sizes. That might help you decide.

 

[Doctor Strange]

Take a look at the Silver Spur - open crown with 3.5 brim and only 4.75 crown... though it's only made in Santone Fawn, which is a darker color than Akubra's off-white/slightly beige Sand/Silverbelly.

http://www.everythingaustralian.com.au/shopexd.asp?id=35

 

[H Weinstein]

Boss of the Plains...too tall to do a 4.5" crown?

Yes, I saw the Silver Spur and thought "You're the one!"...until I saw the limited color choice, none of them light.

Over the past few weeks, I've pretty much memorized the Akubra catalog...hoping to spot something I missed.

I'm a little concerned that the Boss of the Plains with its 6 1/4" open crown might be too tall to bash down to a 4.5" teardrop/pinchfront style.
Any opinions on that are more than welcome!

Ahh, if only that Silver Spur came in Sand...

 

[Doctor Strange]

Not for nothing, because the Akubra factory cycles through all their models/colors on a three-month schedule and can handle special requests from dealers, special orders are possible. You could email Sam Mensche (who's well named!) at Everything Australian and ask if they could do a Silver Spur in Sand. Or ask the folks at Hats Direct, or wherever.

It couldn't hurt to ask, anyway.

 

[H Weinstein]

I didn't know that about the color cycles, so I didn't think of special ordering. As you suggest, never hurts to ask.
Thanks!

 

[1961MJS]

...I myself have ordered 4 Akubra fedoras from HatsDirect, and no fees or import taxes. Just the cost of the item, tax, and the cost of shipping. Most of the hats were between $80-$95, which coupled with the fastest shipping (Australia to Tennessee in about 3 days), cost me about $140 each.

Hi Neophyte, what's the shipping charge for the slowest (or least Expensive) shipping method? I have one Beaver Brand, and am driving past the Stetson outlet in Missouri next weekend. It's also 107 degrees F today in Wichita, I think I have the time to wait...

Thanks

 

[theinterchange]

Take a look at the Silver Spur - open crown with 3.5 brim and only 4.75 crown... though it's only made in Santone Fawn, which is a darker color than Akubra's off-white/slightly beige Sand/Silverbelly.

http://www.everythingaustralian.com.au/shopexd.asp?id=35

Thanks for pointing that hat out. I've overlooked it many times, but since giving it a serious look. I really like it... hmmm

Randy