Chiff and Fipple Forums

Just got a bill from NY State customs for uilleann pipes shipped from France. has anyone else run into this problem?

Under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, section 9205.90.20.00, bagpipes are free duty (see page 1130 of this very large pdf https://www.usitc.gov/publications/hts/pub2030.pdf ).

I think the problem arises when the specific word "bagpipes" is not on the customs slip. A friend had the same problem with a set of Northumbrian pipes (also in NY) some years back and as far as I remember was able to claim a refund. Unfortunately he passed away a few years ago so I can't check that.

I think you have a choice between leaving them in the hands of customs while you argue the case before you get them, or paying up then arguing for the refund. My memory was that my friend paid and reclaimed the fee because he did not trust them to store them safely.......

Ian

Prior to use of the term, 'union pipes,' our instrument was referred to as the Irish bagpipes. In 'The Sydney Morning Herald' of Saturday 17 March 1855, there is an advertisement for sale of a set of 'Irish bagpipes.' This is the Harrington set now owned by Geoff Woof. Perhaps it's time to reinstate the Irish bagpipes.

Didn't know that states could levy customs. Are you sure it isn't state sales tax?

It's probably U.S. Customs and Border Protection. There are approx. 328 ports of entry for people and goods entering the U.S., located in the various states There are a number of ports of entry in New York state, including often packages through JFK airport. There are also deferred locations when decisions on entry cannot be easily made. I don't know if there are any such specifically for goods.

I asked whether it's State sales tax because bagpipes are generally exempt from customs duties (taxes on imports), but not sales taxes (taxes on sales). I've been billed by Canada Border Services for chanters I've imported (or even sent to the US to be reeded, and then reimported). When I questioned the bill, they informed me that it was not import duty but federal and provincial sales taxes.

PJ wrote:I asked whether it's State sales tax because bagpipes are generally exempt from customs duties (taxes on imports), but not sales taxes (taxes on sales). I've been billed by Canada Border Services for chanters I've imported (or even sent to the US to be reeded, and then reimported). When I questioned the bill, they informed me that it was not import duty but federal and provincial sales taxes.

U.S. Customs (Customs and Border Protection=cbp) does not collect Sales Tax on behalf of the state. While one might receive a bill from the State Board of Equalization for Sales or Use Tax, the OP would not be contacted by Customs regarding it.

Indded, though, there might be a problem with the pipes not having been declared properly as bagpipes, and with the code from the Harmonized Tariff Schedule to indicate the exemption. The OP should probably pay any duty being collected to gain possession of the pipes, and then appeal for reimbursement of the paid amount.

PJ wrote:I asked whether it's State sales tax because bagpipes are generally exempt from customs duties (taxes on imports), but not sales taxes (taxes on sales). I've been billed by Canada Border Services for chanters I've imported (or even sent to the US to be reeded, and then reimported). When I questioned the bill, they informed me that it was not import duty but federal and provincial sales taxes.

In general, U.S. states do not charge a sales tax for goods purchased outside, and then imported into the state.

PCL wrote:Prior to use of the term, 'union pipes,' our instrument was referred to as the Irish bagpipes. In 'The Sydney Morning Herald' of Saturday 17 March 1855, there is an advertisement for sale of a set of 'Irish bagpipes.' This is the Harrington set now owned by Geoff Woof. Perhaps it's time to reinstate the Irish bagpipes.

I agree whole heartedly with PCL on this point!!!!!! I really detest the use of 'Ullieanns' as a name for 'The Pipes' or in the correct Irish sense 'A Pipes'. Uilleann Pipes is the label that is quite usually used these days but when people say "I'm going to learn the Uilleanns". or " can I get some Uilleann reeds ?".... that sticks in my craw... just my opinion.

Geoff.

PS; OP, sorry to read of your import problems... hope you can resolve the issue.

geoff wooff wrote: I agree whole heartedly with PCL on this point!!!!!! I really detest the use of 'Ullieanns' as a name for 'The Pipes' or in the correct Irish sense 'A Pipes'.

Geoff.

PS; OP, sorry to read of your import problems... hope you can resolve the issue.

I also really dislike hearing "so you play the you-leanns?". From what I remember, we were stuck with this name by W.H. Grattan Flood, that unimpeachable purveyor of Irish musical history. Why can't we take it back? Is there anyone who enjoys trying to explain why our instrument is all about the elbows? Would a trombone player prefer calling his instrument the "right arm bugle"? Myself being a rank beginner in Gaeilge, would union translate to comhaontú, aontacht, or aontas to convey the meaning of amalgamation? English speakers would say Irish bagpipes, or union bagpipes.
It's our instrument, we can call it the union pipes, Irish pipes, or "demon with seven bloody reeds" if we want. I call for a boycott on the common use of the word "uilleann" when used in association with the pipes. A polite correction to anyone using this word, in all of its variety of pronunciations, would accomplish the banishment of this term to the dustbin of musical history with the arpegionne, basset horn, serpentine, sacbut, etc.

dave boling

Why on Earth would you want to call an Irish instrument by an English name . Uilleann pipes it is .

RORY

rorybbellows wrote:Why on Earth would you want to call an Irish instrument by an English name . Uilleann pipes it is .

RORY

Why do you use the word "pipes"?

dave boling

Because we are talking in English .

RORY

It is a NY state sales tax. They say that I imported personal property into NYS from abroad. Upon entry, it is subject to New York state and local sales and compensating use tax totalling $3,445.00, including penalties and interest.

Piobairi Uilleann Inis Fa wrote:It is a NY state sales tax. They say that I imported personal property into NYS from abroad. Upon entry, it is subject to New York state and local sales and compensating use tax totalling $3,445.00, including penalties and interest.

Wow! That's either a $40k set of pipes, or those penalties and interest are incredible. How many years has it been that they've built up that much?