Go to the US Govt customs site, I imagine they have the same tariff code list along with fillable forms if required as they do here in Canada.
Look up the tariff code and get the exporter to use this #, also make sure any shipper supplies a commercial invoice with the true value paid on the invoice.
If it is marked Gift, it is usually a red flag for customs to check further.
Here there is a form to reclaim any taxes or duties that appear to be wrongly assessed, I have used this on a few occasions to obtain a refund.
Check to see if any freight companies have bonded wharehouses in the area you live, you can often clear it yourself this way
Al.
CNC, Mechatronics Integration and Custom Machine Design
“Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”
Albert E.