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[Alnico Blue]

Can any of you clever chaps advise me on how this import duty works?

Looking at buying a guitar from the USA  which is under $400. 

Would this be subject to any duty etc.    TIA   Al   

EDIT:     umm!     should have Googled it before I posted . . . .

from the Google site  it looks a lot of hastle . . .  as an example a $2500 guitar will end up costing almost a $1000 more by the time I get it in my hand  so a $400 instrument would be around $160 more.    lets look at a Plan B 

[TheBoy]

Anything new with a deemed* value exceeding £15 (which can vary depending on what it is) is liable for an import duty (which again can vary depending on the goods)


*This is the value a customs official believes its worth, if checked, not what you paid, or what is on the export customs label.

[TD]

Anything new with a deemed* value exceeding £15 (which can vary depending on what it is) is liable for an import duty (which again can vary depending on the goods)


*This is the value a customs official believes its worth, if checked, not what you paid, or what is on the export customs label.

Unless it says "Gift" 

[Nick W]

Anything new with a deemed* value exceeding £15 (which can vary depending on what it is) is liable for an import duty (which again can vary depending on the goods)


*This is the value a customs official believes its worth, if checked, not what you paid, or what is on the export customs label.

Unless it says "Gift" 

Then the official will ALWAYS charge you what he thinks it's worth. So you could easily pay tax for a £1000 item that only cost £200. HMRC's term for marking things as a gift to get around paying tax is fraud. As they make and administer the rules, you get to pay. Same applies to a vendor putting a lower price on the paperwork.

[Alnico Blue]

Plan B is  . . . wait for one to surface in the UK 

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Ive often seen expensive guitars listed on ebay U.S. in various seperate parts, which you can assemble after delivery, rather than as a whole instrument. I wonder if that's a way of paying less duty ?
Anyway, what you hankering after this time Al ? 

[redelitev6]

I was stung big style with import duty when I bought something from the U.S. , best bet is to try and source what you need locally or from Europe 

[Doctor Gollum]

Never had an issue with import duties. Partly depends on the carrier. Ups for example will pay the duty and then invoice you for it.

Largest, most valuable item I have imported from the States was a 50" light bar. About £800 delivered, about £150 in shipping and taxes iirc...

Depending on where it is, you can fly to the US for around £300 return with Norwegian, so you could fly over, pay cash(=haggle) and bring it back as property. Apart from checking that it's actually a guitar, I doubt Border Farce would even blink at it

Obviously you would only want it shipped in a decent transport case, so postage won't be cheap anyway as they are relatively bulky and weigh around 25-30 kgs

[Alnico Blue]

Ive often seen expensive guitars listed on ebay U.S. in various seperate parts, which you can assemble after delivery, rather than as a whole instrument. I wonder if that's a way of paying less duty ?
Anyway, what you hankering after this time Al ?

ES295  Gibson clone ( can't afford a real one )  always been a Fender user but playin'a bit of rockabilly/George Thorogood  stuff now . . .a ES295 just appeals to me rather than a 335 or a Gretch.    Epiphone  version of the ES295 is around £800 so still above my budget for this project 

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

I would like a 335 myself, but as you say, price is prohibitive. Theres also the fact that it would be an ornament just like the guitars I already have. 
Strats are very versatile though. Is it possible to get close to a rockabilly sound with a Strat / amp/ effects combination ? 

[Alnico Blue]

I would like a 335 myself, but as you say, price is prohibitive. Theres also the fact that it would be an ornament just like the guitars I already have. 
Strats are very versatile though. Is it possible to get close to a rockabilly sound with a Strat / amp/ effects combination ? 

IMO  yes . . .strats are very versatile . . . . more of a visual thing with this ES295 though.

i'm breaking my golden rule of guitar purchase, chasing one of these though . . . " a guitar needs to be tried BEFORE you buy it"   never brought a guitar by post before
So probably gonna sit and wait for something to appear in UK 

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Patience is often rewarded. 
Having said that, I bought swmbo a Squire Telecaster a while back by mail order and I find it much more playable than either my genuine Strat or Epiphone Les Paul.
The string tension seems a lot lower for some reason, which suits my old weak out of prctice fingers. Probably luck of the draw though, as the next one on the shelf might have ben a pile of shite.

[TheBoy]

Anything new with a deemed* value exceeding £15 (which can vary depending on what it is) is liable for an import duty (which again can vary depending on the goods)


*This is the value a customs official believes its worth, if checked, not what you paid, or what is on the export customs label.

Unless it says "Gift" 

It doesn't matter, as its still what the customs official deems its worth. Whether or not it is a gift is irrelevant, and customs are well wise to that scam.  And the scam where some companies provide 2 invoices - a real invoice, and a special invoice to reduce customs charges.

[TheBoy]

Never had an issue with import duties. Partly depends on the carrier. Ups for example will pay the duty and then invoice you for it.

Its always easy to pay it.  Its the size of it that's the issue.  And added to that, the size of the "admin charge" the courier then bolts on top - ArseholeForce I think currently charge £14 on top of the customs charge.  This needs to be considered when ordering from outside the EU (or just UK, post October).  My customs + admin fee from DHL a few weeks ago was almost £20 or a £35 product.

[aaronjb]

I paid £670 worth of duty, VAT & clearance on £2140s worth of wheels recently - remember you pay duty, and VAT on top of that, on top of the combined price *including* shipping.

The most cost effective way I've found is to use a freight forwarder - my wheels came FedEx, but engine & gearbox were shipped to Miami (free shipping within the US!) and then £90 saw them loaded into a 40' container and brought to Chelmsford where STS handled the duty & clearance, and then another £70 to ship the pallet to me from the UK; or I could have driven down there and picked it all up... (except the RR broke, surprise, so I had it shipped up)

The only down-side being having to wait 6-8 weeks for delivery.

[Rods2]

There will also be the shippers additional fees for the privilege of being charged duty & VAT. Two items I recently bought ~£150, one from the US & the other from Hong Kong I paid about £45 on one where final charges were through the Royal Mail and £56 on the other through FedEx. The FedEx charges were almost double the Royal Mail ones.

Neither parts were available in the UK so I had no choice but to buy abroad & import. Sourcing & buying stuff abroad is so much easier now than when I first started importing stuff into the UK in my teens.

[Sir Tigger KC]

If we ever get round to leaving the EU we could have a trade deal with the US which abolishes import duties and tariffs. 

Just a thought...   

[Nick W]

If we ever get round to leaving the EU we could have a trade deal with the US which abolishes import duties and tariffs. 

I doubt any of us will live long enough to see it. Look what our government has accomplished over the last three years.......

[Mister Rog]

Search on internet for a major US city with a Guitar Centre shop serviced by an airline with good prices.
Go there.
Try it & Buy it
Also buy a used & battered hard shell case, or buy a new one and rough it up, get some stickers or something
Have a good weekend in wherever it is (San Francisco is nice!)
Come home
Declare it at customs
Lie
Enjoy your guitar with some good memories of your trip !

Cheap ? No. But great fun   

EDIT
Just realized who you are     Hope all is well

[Doctor Gollum]

You typed that all far more eloquently than I managed on the first page

[Mister Rog]

You typed that all far more eloquently than I managed on the first page

Ah didn't actually read your post properly . .

Eloquent because I've pretty much actually done it. A slight cheat as I was in USA anyway (USA Standard Strat - Burgundy) Paid £25 to HMCE at Heathrow.

[Mister Rog]

You typed that all far more eloquently than I managed on the first page

Ah didn't actually read your post properly . .

Eloquent because I've pretty much actually done it. A slight cheat as I was in USA anyway (USA Standard Strat - Burgundy) Paid £25 to HMCE at Heathrow.

I would add that this was some time ago, in the mid 90s   


.
.

[aaronjb]

You typed that all far more eloquently than I managed on the first page

Ah didn't actually read your post properly . .

Eloquent because I've pretty much actually done it. A slight cheat as I was in USA anyway (USA Standard Strat - Burgundy) Paid £25 to HMCE at Heathrow.

I would add that this was some time ago, in the mid 90s   


.
.

Must have been.. I can't remember the last time I saw anyone actually manning customs at Heathrow! (Except for when flights are due in from 'certain locations' ..)

[STEMO]

You typed that all far more eloquently than I managed on the first page

Ah didn't actually read your post properly . .

Eloquent because I've pretty much actually done it. A slight cheat as I was in USA anyway (USA Standard Strat - Burgundy) Paid £25 to HMCE at Heathrow.

I would add that this was some time ago, in the mid 90s   


.
.

Must have been.. I can't remember the last time I saw anyone actually manning customs at Heathrow! (Except for when flights are due in from 'certain locations' ..)

Wales?

[Mister Rog]

You typed that all far more eloquently than I managed on the first page

Ah didn't actually read your post properly . .

Eloquent because I've pretty much actually done it. A slight cheat as I was in USA anyway (USA Standard Strat - Burgundy) Paid £25 to HMCE at Heathrow.

I would add that this was some time ago, in the mid 90s   


.
.

Must have been.. I can't remember the last time I saw anyone actually manning customs at Heathrow! (Except for when flights are due in from 'certain locations' ..)

Wales?

Every time . .


"Anything to declare ?"

Yes

A bag of Leeks and two blow-up sheep . . . . 

[Alnico Blue]

Well Well . . .not from U.S. but bit the bullet & ordered a "Replica Gibs*n 335"  from China around 12th July. 

£204 with free courier delivery 

Feedback was good from USA buyers.    Thursday got a letter from Royal Mail at Chelmsford  saying item has cleared customs with  vat & import duty totalling £27.   Had to pay this online
 to RM then they will deliver it on Tuesday

Could have had it today but they wanted an extra £12 for a Saturday delivery 

So all in all the import duty etc. was not too bad at all .

Although have not actually got the guitar in my hand yet 

Will update on Tuesday 

[Bigron]

We look forward to hearing your virtuoso performance on it, Mr. Blue!

Ron.

[Alnico Blue]

We look forward to hearing your virtuoso bumbling, mistake ridden  performance on it, Mr. Blue!

Ron.

Corrected that for you Ron 

[dave the builder]

NO STAIRWAY......

[Bigron]

You forget, Mr. Blue, that I've heard you play and it is in no way bumbling.....

Ron.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Havent heard him play in person but I believe he is a pretty handy plucker, as it were. 
Can you master this one before we meet again please Mr. Blue, and then teach me how to play it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klIIPsE9L74

And then this one. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC5H9P4F5Uk

[Alnico Blue]

Havent heard him play in person but I believe he is a pretty handy plucker, as it were. 
Can you master this one before we meet again please Mr. Blue, and then teach me how to play it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klIIPsE9L74

And then this one. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC5H9P4F5Uk

Simple answer to that  Albs . . . .NO 

[Rods2]

Havent heard him play in person but I believe he is a pretty handy plucker, as it were. 
Can you master this one before we meet again please Mr. Blue, and then teach me how to play it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klIIPsE9L74

And then this one. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC5H9P4F5Uk

I'm sure they are a couple of warm up songs for maestro MigV6 as he spanks the plank.

The guitar gods of SVG, Jimi, The 3 Kings (Albert, B.B. & Freddie), Clapton, Gary Moore, Rory Gallagher, Buddy Guy, Carlos Santana, Jeff Beck, Richie Blackmore, & Joe Bonamassa & a few others are on a different planet to us mere mortals.

[Alnico Blue]

Havent heard him play in person but I believe he is a pretty handy plucker, as it were. 
Can you master this one before we meet again please Mr. Blue, and then teach me how to play it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klIIPsE9L74

And then this one. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC5H9P4F5Uk

I'm sure they are a couple of warm up songs for maestro MigV6 as he spanks the plank.

The guitar gods of SVG, Jimi, The 3 Kings (Albert, B.B. & Freddie), Clapton, Gary Moore, Rory Gallagher, Buddy Guy, Carlos Santana, Jeff Beck, Richie Blackmore, & Joe Bonamassa & a few others are on a different planet to us mere mortals.

Oh yes. . .as Rossi & Parfitt  once said  . . .just like me they are still searching for the "4th chord"

[Alnico Blue]

Well Well . . .not from U.S. but bit the bullet & ordered a "Replica Gibs*n 335"  from China around 12th July. 

£204 with free courier delivery 

Feedback was good from USA buyers.    Thursday got a letter from Royal Mail at Chelmsford  saying item has cleared customs with  vat & import duty totalling £27.   Had to pay this online
 to RM then they will deliver it on Tuesday

Could have had it today but they wanted

 an extra £12 for a Saturday delivery 

So all in all the import duty etc. was not too bad at all .

Although have not actually got the guitar in my hand yet 

Will update on Tuesday 

Came all the way from China with no problem  . . .once "Royal Fail" get involved . . .nightmare 

Paid the duty etc online on Friday  . . . could have had it Saturday for £12 extra . .  refused that  . . .so they said Monday . . . no one at home to receive it on Monday so we agreed on TUESDAY.

Nothing by 5pm  . . .called the number  . . .they said   " cannot be delivered until the  £27 is paid"

I said  . . yes paid that on Friday  . . .He said  "oh yes . . . .oops    . . .someone has not processed that"   "will have to be tomorrow or Thursday now"

Cannot stay at home another day  . . .hoping they "might"deliver it . 

Effing useless Parcelforce

[dave the builder]

are you close enough to collect from the sorting office ?
leave it too long and it may go missing or get damaged

[STEMO]

Well Well . . .not from U.S. but bit the bullet & ordered a "Replica Gibs*n 335"  from China around 12th July. 

£204 with free courier delivery 

Feedback was good from USA buyers.    Thursday got a letter from Royal Mail at Chelmsford  saying item has cleared customs with  vat & import duty totalling £27.   Had to pay this online
 to RM then they will deliver it on Tuesday

Could have had it today but they wanted

 an extra £12 for a Saturday delivery 

So all in all the import duty etc. was not too bad at all .

Although have not actually got the guitar in my hand yet 

Will update on Tuesday 

Effing useless Parcelfarce

Fixed

[Alnico Blue]

Finally got it . . .  very well packed . . . no case as it showed in the ad . . .guitar itself is very well made  & looks very nice . . .but the hardware fitted is absolute sh*te . .. needs a new bridge (won't adjust) tuners are rip off copies of Grovers. So basicly it is indeed 200 quids worth 
Once I have spent £50 -£70 on it it will be a very decent instrument.  I hope.    Should have just brought an Epiphone 335 from UK stock 

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Epiphone tuners are also cheap shite. I have an Epiphone Les Paul, with a pair of expensive humbuckers on it, the only thing that let it down was the awful tuners. I bought some good quality ones a year or so ago. May well have been Grovers, cant remember tbh. 
Will have a look when Im home tomorrow - if I remember.