Review Seaskin Nova drysuit

[Moonhowler]

Import and export are different. HTS vs. Schedule B. Yes, they’re both based on the international HS standard, but they’re US systems.

Since these are systems that attempt to classify every single item that gets sold internationally, they try to balance how specific they get. Hence almost every heading having some form of ‘other’ category. Drysuits (to stay on topic) are an interesting case to consider. Different manufacturers have used different forms of coated canvas, neoprene, bilaminate, trilaminate, and probably other materials over the years. Each of these could be classified differently, but that would be time consuming and complicated. As a worn item, drysuits are classified as apparel, but they’re obviously different than clothing. Look at the duty rates for undersuits for a good example of why we don’t want drysuits classed as clothing. Drysuits also don’t fit cleanly into sporting goods, either, since they might be used commercially or by municipalities.

On top of all that, there’s also the consideration of precedent in how similar items have previously been classified. CBP has a searchable database of customs rulings, although it’s incomplete.
There is a reason this is a job for lots of people and hasn’t been automated; it requires knowledge, experience, and staying on top of changes.

Again, AI hallucinations are a known limitation, especially when asking for situationally specific information. It’s not how they’re designed to work. From ARL-TR-2224, “Butyl rubbers are copolymers of isobutylene with a small amount of isoprene added to allow for vulcanization.”

Good info. I can see how complicated it gets. But, for all of us who want to pay the least tax, who assigns the Code or Codes to the package? Sealskin, FedEx, a bureaucrat in a U.S. Customs office, or the buyer (as importers)? How much say do we have?

 

[Litefoot]

FYI, UPS says I owe $116.09 in customs charges. I ordered dry suit, base layer, 150g undergarment, hood and spare wrist/neck seals.

 

[dwrdnet]

Last week was shipping date. I’m so ready for my drysuit. From what I’ve read it might be late shipping.

I just got mine the other day, and it was supposed to ship the 9th, and shipped on the 13th, so that might give you an estimate of your delay.

 

[Pumpkin King]

Good info. I can see how complicated it gets. But, for all of us who want to pay the least tax, who assigns the Code or Codes to the package? Sealskin, FedEx, a bureaucrat in a U.S. Customs office, or the buyer (as importers)? How much say do we have?

How much say do you have on how much sales tax you pay at your corner store? It’s basically the same. By the time you get charged, it’s already a done deal and you’re reimbursing the carrier. The only solid ground for a dispute is if either end misclassified something really badly. Seaskin uses the codes they’ve been advised to use through one of several ways. Which exactly, we don’t know. For informal entries (which is likely, unless you buy one of everything and the exchange rate tanks), CBP prepares the paperwork and adds their fees for doing so. This includes selection of the HST code, which is likely to match the export code of, or be logically determined from the description used by, the shipper. CBP charges the carrier whatever this amount ends up being to release the shipment, and you’ll subsequently be charged that amount with maybe another fee or two tacked on. This part is really up to the business processes of the carrier.

 

[davecampbell]

an update regarding shipping dates.... my wife had a proposed shipping date of February 16th, and received her email today. I submitted the order for my suit a few hours later, so I'm assuming I should be getting an email tomorrow. My proposed date was also the 16th. Seems pretty consistent with everyone else's experience.

 

[Litefoot]

My suit came today.
The good:
-Love the build quality and the color.
-The fit of both the Nova and the 150g undergarment are good.
-I received a Trilobite I didn’t order. I'll let them know.

The bad:
-No QuickNeck tool.
-The SS base layer top is way too small. Not sure if it’s worth returning.
-The zippers are balky as h***. Need to lube them and work them in a lot.
-I had an absolute fight donning/doffing the suit. I’m older and I ain’t limber anymore. Need more practice and lube options.
-The neck opening of the SS short neck hood I bought is impossibly small. Needs to be stretched.

Other: Would probably not order pee hole in undergarment as there is a double sipper that allows one to run tubing through sipper opening. The SS base layers aren't too impressive, but they're cheap.

 

[admikar]

If you have ordered it, take your talcum powder bag and ligthly powder every seam. They are quite sticky at first. If not, take a piece of cloth, pour some talcum and do above.
I can't tell from your photo, but if you have plastic zip, do not lube the zip, just docking end.
You need to keep plastic zip straight and tight when working it or it will bind

 

[Sebs]

What admikar said. When I ordered my suit I gave it a liberal talcing with the provided powder and donning was so much easier. I did that a good 3 or 4 times and now it's fine with a semi regular talcing.

Zipper is the same. At the start it was really difficult to open and close but a bit of lube and it's pretty smooth now. Also I found that if I use my left hand to pull the zipper straight and use my right to close it then it also goes very smoothly.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

My suit came today.
The good:
-Love the build quality and the color.
-The fit of both the Nova and the 150g undergarment are good.
-I received a Trilobite I didn’t order. I'll let them know.

The bad:
-No QuickNeck tool.
-The SS base layer top is way too small. Not sure if it’s worth returning.
-The zippers are balky as h***. Need to lube them and work them in a lot.
-I had an absolute fight donning/doffing the suit. I’m older and I ain’t limber anymore. Need more practice and lube options.
-The neck opening of the SS short neck hood I bought is impossibly small. Needs to be stretched.

Other: Would probably not order pee hole in undergarment as there is a double sipper that allows one to run tubing through sipper opening. The SS base layers aren't too impressive, but they're cheap.

View attachment 827908

Looks good. There is a break in period. Take things very slow on and off. It will all loosen up after a bit. I don't really think it stretches, it just gets less stiff. Talc is good.

For base I prefer marino or polyester / spandex (I think that's what's on the tag, lined with fleece). The Seaskin base is too clingy (to me).

Congrats!

 

[Boarderguy]

My suit came today.
The good:
-Love the build quality and the color.
-The fit of both the Nova and the 150g undergarment are good.
-I received a Trilobite I didn’t order. I'll let them know.

The bad:
-No QuickNeck tool.
-The SS base layer top is way too small. Not sure if it’s worth returning.
-The zippers are balky as h***. Need to lube them and work them in a lot.
-I had an absolute fight donning/doffing the suit. I’m older and I ain’t limber anymore. Need more practice and lube options.
-The neck opening of the SS short neck hood I bought is impossibly small. Needs to be stretched.

Other: Would probably not order pee hole in undergarment as there is a double sipper that allows one to run tubing through sipper opening. The SS base layers aren't too impressive, but they're cheap.

View attachment 827908

Good looking suit! Not sure if you noticed but there's an old man in it. Email them about the missing tool and they'll get it corrected. The base layer should fit snugly imo. They are glorified long John's but ate fantastic for the price. The hood saga is exactly what I've read from everyone else. Just put it on a tank and wait for it to stretch and relax a bit. I talc'd my suit initially and then maybe a couple more times. I haven't done it in the last 30 dives at least, just not needed for me.

For donning make sure you have the clip undone for the telescopic torso. I've managed to get out with it clipped, but in would be nearly impossible. Take you time and let get used to the suit.

Pee valve hose routing: the hole they put into the undergarments isn't big enough for a dry break valve. Use the lower zip and route it up and into your undergarment and then down to your unit.