Importing from the states

[henry]

apologies if this has been asked before...
can anyone explain to me the ins and outs of buying something from the forum in the US wrt import charges and tax?

thanks, Henry

[Jason Lynch]

First establish that the seller is willing to ship to the UK. Most aren't.
Agree shipping cost with the seller. remember to give them your UK phone number! this will be important later!
The seller should fill in a US customs declaration form and attach it to the front of the package. It will have the price in US dollars on it. You could try asking them to leave this blank and mark it as a damaged/return. Might get round customs, but it's doubtful.
HMCR will charge you based on the items price on the customs declaration, anything over £35 will incur UK import duty, and possibly VAT, although maybe not for second hand purchases.
This must be payed before the shipping agent will release it from their possession. They can contact you by phone if you have provided them with your number! otherwise you will have to wait for a letter to arrive on your mat!
hope this all makes sense.

[zbplayer]

Another thing to note is that Import Tax is based on cost of the item AND the shipping cost. Bit of a con but there you go. And It applies to 2nd hand items too. Regards Graham

[Ken Byng]

Henry
Many of us guys who go to the steel guitar shows in the USA pre arrange to buy guitars (at the right price of course) and bring them back home on the plane. This can be a bit of a lottery, as dependant upon the mood of the check-in staff is the amount that you get clobbered for exceeding the weight limit. I have bought a D10 guitar through customs in the past 2 years, and have paid next to nothing for the excess baggage. £50 last year for my Show Pro, and around the same this year for a Carter. Last year I declared my Show Pro at customs, and received a receipt for it. I declared the value of the guitar. No valuation check was made, and the officer was pleased that I declared it. I can now take the Show Pro in and out of the country whenever I like and not get hit by an officious customs officer should I come across one.

Ted Nesbitt is an old hand at bringing guitars back to the UK, especially wrapping them up to minimise damage. Ted can offer you some advice.

So the moral of the story is.........have a good weekend in Dallas and bring a guitar back with you.

[James Crowbear]

Ken's alternative is the best

if you have to ship it :
it IS cheaper by postal ( USPS for the sender )
even if it is in 2 packages ( there is a weight limit depending on the countries)
if it fits in 1 , all the better
as mentioned above : make sure the seller is willing & capable to send overseas
since buyer pays shipping he gets to choose the carrier
fed ex & ups are expensive compared to USPS ( US Postal Service )
you can go on their site as to confirm shipping cost ( easy )
ask seller for his town & zip postal code as well as total weight & add a couple of ££
even though buyer pays shipping, it is the sender ( seller) who is entitled to file a claim if something goes wrong
seller / sender includes a " PRO FORMA " invoice in a clear envellope on the outside of the box
this document states that the guitar was sold, traded (or sent as a gift by the uncle in illinois )
there has to be a declared value on it no matter what
the next document that the sender includes is the actual way bill
this is the document that is issued by the carrier
name & address of shipper & receiver with phone for easier delivery
check " gift - merchandise - sample - return - ...........according
i put " used musical instrument " & that s it as a description
i declare a value for customs & INSURE FOR SAME ! if you insure for a higher sum than declared value for customs " you're going to be very deceived....
yes it's a always a gamble....
as mentioned above : the cost of shipping is also taxed by customs
don't you just love it ?
kings might have had their heads cut off for these practices, but we don't do these kind of things anymore in our democrazies now do weee ????
all we do now is vote, bitch & pay
Soooooooo, paying the seller is best via bank to bank transfer
paypal's comm is outrageous so pass on that one
do not send €uros or £ to the seller - good ol' US $ is what you must send via your bank
now if you do have that uncle in Ohio & he's close by, he can also take care of the logistics & payment for you
make sure the shipper / seller has packed well
don't forget the TRACKING NUMBER ok ???
that's about it

[Ken Byng]

As you can see from James' inventory of the importation process, it is quite complex. The simplest route is to bring an instrument back or get someone to bring it for you. Worth giving them a drink to do so.

[henry]

wow, thanks everyone. food for thought

[Arcada]

This thread has been "tidied up" at the request of a few of its participants...sorry if yours was one of the posts deleted but I'm sure you'll understand why

[bobhcot]

Well done Arcada. Well done all round. The list of hoops required should put most people off! It's bad enough ordering a small item, getting charged various taxes, duties, whatever, but the fee that really hurts is the one for "opening and examining the parcel", especially when it is blatantly obvious it hasn't been.

Bob

[Arcada]

I'm going to chip in here with a request

If any forum members are going to the States and have room in their bag for a small camera, I'm looking to buy one of these: -

http://www.amazon.com/Lytro-Light-Field ... B0099QUSGM

$199 USD = £119 GBP...compared to: -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00E ... lectronics - £389.99!!! More than 3 times the price here!

I'll obviously pay for the camera, VAT (about £25) and a little more for your trouble.

Please PM me if you are able to help me out with this.