question about import charges on guitars

[mockjam]

sorry if this is the wrong place for this thread but I wasn't sure where it should go.

Anyway about a month ago I placed a deposit on a RG550 reissue, and because I live in the UK where the price is almost double I decided to have it imported from the US.

So my question is does anyone know what the import charges are like in the UK or how to work out the cost of importing goods from outside the EU? I'm sure there's some people from the UK here who ordered their RG550s from the US.
Incase it's any use, the total cost of the guitar including shipping & handling is $1134 (around £570)

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Kurac]

Ask Dee, he lives in the UK and ordered a RF from US (:
I'm sure he will show up here soon.

[hall]

One thing you'll have to pay is VAT (??) that's based on the price you paid. That's better than it being based on the price of the same item in the UK.

Sam Ash has the RG550 re-issues for $899. The VAT would be $157 based on the UK's 17.5% VAT rate.

[Algiman]

Depending on which courier is used, the handling/brokerage fees will vary. Usually though with tax and charges you are looking at 25% ish of the purchase cost. I've imported a fair few guitars etc, and the charges are never the same twice! On some occasions, there have been no charges.

With the current $/£ exchange and UK prices being as silly as they are, you'll save one hell of a lot importing, so it is well worth it.

[Algiman]

Originally Posted by hall

One thing you'll have to pay is VAT (??) that's based on the price you paid. That's better than it being based on the price of the same item in the UK.

Sam Ash has the RG550 re-issues for $899. The VAT would be $157 based on the UK's 17.5% VAT rate.

It doesn't quite work like that for imports (if only it was that simple!)

mockjam, this might help you a bit too:
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg...3859110&r.s=tl

[Dee]

Algiman is right -- it seems to be somewhere around 20% - 25% but it can vary wildly. I just ordered something from the US for a friend, and the value was $300. The cost of duty, VAT and administration fee on this item was £53. On a guitar costing $1135 you could be paying quite a bit. It's hard to say the exact figure, it seems to depend on which shipping company is handling it.

[markg5150]

I just paid £102 VAT & duty on $900

Pics soon ....

[mockjam]

thanks everyone for the replies, you've all been a lot of help.