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July 2003
Posts: 84
| The postal services dont usually by into it if gift is written on the side of the package. i'm going to import sum ovation from the US soon but would like if possible to avoid the tax/duty amounts here.
Any ideas? |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | The short answer is no. Anything over a nominal value, I think it's $30 in the US, is subject to sales tax & duty, even if marked as a gift. I have sold instruments to people who have asked me to under-declare the value in order to avoid tax & duty. Some sellers will do this but I wont, it's not worth the risk if the courier screws up, which is something they're pretty good at. Small items which can be sent via regular mail usually slip in under the radar, but larger parcels are more likely to be checked. I have imported lots of instruments and if they come via a carrier such as UPS, FedEx or DHL they are always taxed. To add insult to injury they charge a handling fee for the privellige of colecting the duties and then the sales tax is calculated inclusive of their fees. I'm surprised the UPS logo isn't a Skull & Crossbones. With USPS/Royal Mail it's more of a lottery & I've had a few packages on which I haven't been charged. I guess that's down to manpower vs volume of mail. |
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Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Hand carry it in your self and have your story ready. Other than that, pay the tax. |
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January 2003
Posts: 105
Location: San Francisco, CA | where are you located? japan? your country's tax system may be different from ours. |
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July 2003
Posts: 84
| I'm from the uk, suppose undervaluing is the only way but it's just too risky, i'm importing a custom legend 70s, 70s thunderhead, 70s preacher and a earliy 60s Gretsch folk guitar. Tax mans gonna luv me! |
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Location: NJ | If you are a ligitimate business and undervalue you are violating trade laws.
If you undervalue an instrument and it gets damaged or lost there is a big problem. The seller cannot make a claim for the correct value and then the buyer even if they claim they will be responsible can get out of that responsibility rather easily depending on the type of payment.
I have had every scam on earth pulled on me and believe me some are rather clever. |
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July 2003
Posts: 84
| Thats sum useful info, thanks! But i bought theseall in the u.s an sent them to my uncles house in Long Island to ship them altogether and save some money. I dont really want to get involved buying and selling internationally, leave it to the experst like urself AL |
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Posts: 10582
Location: NJ | you will not be able to ship them together. the boxes would be way too big. Ship via usps air mail and it will cost around 125 per guitar insured to the UK. |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | They could be shipped in one consignment if they were sent surface where charges are based on cubic metreage rather than weight. This will save quite a chunk of money on the actual shipping but not on VAT or duty. The downside is that surface from the USA takes 6-8 weeks. |
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July 2003
Posts: 84
| It's like waitng for christmas! Think surface is gonna havebe the best way. thanks guys |
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August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | re: surface shipping
Since we are talking transport by ship, I would recommend that you consider what that length of time and conditions would do to a guitar... |
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October 2002
Posts: 51
| Your guitars might have cracks or checks due to temp/humidity change and/or get damaged during the 6-8 week shipment. It's not wise to save every penny. You must have got a great deal on the guitars. Treat them like your beloved babies.
I just saw some UA promotion - around $300 roundtrip between NY & London. You may want to fly to NY & have some great time with your uncle. Take 1-2 guitar back. |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Tony & Sunny, when international distributors import instruments in bulk the only economical way is by sea. If the guitars are properly packed sea freight is no more or less risky in terms of climate/humidity or handling damage than air freight. In some ways it may be better as the temp will be pretty constant. Aircraft holds are not pressurised or heated, so get very cold at 35000 ft. |
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Is it possible to avoid tax and duty importing guitars?