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Joined: February 2002 Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | Quick question for Paul T. or one of the members in the UK: what is the amount of the VAT Brits have to pay for guitars sent from the States? Are there any other duties, fees, etc? |
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Joined: February 2002 Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Paul, sales tax (VAT) is 17.5%, import duty is around 5%. Plus the courier charges a fixed fee of around £10-12 to collect the fees on behalf of Customs & Inland Revenue. If a shipment comes via a courier such as FedEx, UPS, DHL it is their policy to charge every consignment at the declared value, but I've had quite few that have slipped in under the radar by USPS/Royal Mail |
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Joined: February 2002 Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | Paul -- very helpful response. Thank you, kindly!
Perhaps I should have taken a couple of guitars along when I went to London in March.... |
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Joined: September 2003 Posts: 53
| Hi,
when i imported my Viper bass I had to pay a total of i think £185 import tax and VAT on an instrument that cost $975. Its a bit harsh but i spose the Government over here penalise us for everything else so why not for buying quality instruments. |
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Joined: December 2001 Posts: 10581
Location: NJ | One thing to think about is that why are so many players from Europe and asia buying guitars from the USA. Well, even with the VAT they still get a guitar that has a price with a savings of 1K of more.
Remember stating an item is a gift or undervaluing it is fraud. Personally I cannot do that to jeopardize my business, but many feel they want to and can. everyone has to do what their own conscience will let them. |
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