Shipping Guitars (how do you beat customs?)

strat110 · #1 02-25-2005, 04:58 PM

I am having a custom guitar imported in the next few days.... can anyone tell me the best way to give yourself a chance of avoiding Import Duty...

The guitar is coming from the USA to the UK.

Thanks.

Hobophobic · #2 02-26-2005, 12:45 AM

If you're buying new from a dealer you probably can't "beat" customs because most dealers that ship internationally will insist on shipping honestly... which they should, even when it sucks for us, the customer. It's their business and possibly their livelihood, not worth risking troubles and hassles just to save somebody a few bucks. If you're buying from a private individual you can ask them to mark it as a gift on the customs form and list the contents as "Birthday Gift: Guitar" or something similar. Sometimes that works, sometimes it doesn't. I think it's pretty much up to the discretion of the person that inspects it. You can lower the cost by having them list a lower than actual value on the form but you're taking a big risk if you do that because you can't insure it for more than the claimed value. There's not really a reliable way to avoid the taxes and duties that I know of and I do business back and forth across the border (U.S./Canada) quite often.

Blueroomstudios · #3 02-28-2005, 11:31 AM

Have it shipped as parts for a guitar not a guitar. I think it's called "shipping by the left". I had a USA Custom shipped to the US from Singapore and it worked.

whatshisname · #4 02-28-2005, 11:43 AM

It's always a concern of mine, but having said that, I've bought quite a bit of stuff from overseas, and I've never had to pay customs. It just comes straight to my door, no different from anything else I've purchased.

DarkBob · #5 02-28-2005, 12:27 PM

Don't forget that what you're talking about is technically illegal...

->I've bought a few guitars through e'bay and had to pay full whack on all the customs charges. I'd be weary of declaring goods for a much lower value than they're worth; you are treading on dodgy ground.

Incidently the only surefire way to "beat customs" that I've "heard" of is to bring it back as hand luggage - it worked for a "bloke I met in the pub" a few times. (not me you understand

). You see that way you save about £100-200 which can pretty much cover the cost of your flight.

just my 2p's worth.

Blueroomstudios · #6 02-28-2005, 01:35 PM

if the guitar is shipped dismantled ...ie neck from body, then it is guitar parts. Semantics I guess.

Jim Antonio · #7 02-28-2005, 02:36 PM

I've bought a dozen guitars from the US in the last 2 to 3 years and give you the following advice:

1. If it's a bolt-on, send it via Global EMS, dismantle it, declare the item as a gift and under-value the guitar as low as you can. In my country, any instrument below $100 is tax-exempt and you will most likely receive it straight to your doorstep. Of course there's a risk but if your mail service is a reliable one, you shouldn't worry too much about it.

2. If it's a set or neck-through guitar, have it shipped via Air Parcel or Air Mail(different from Global EMS). It will get to you in a week or less and you should be able to BS your way out of your post office. Good luck on your acting, Mr. Foxx!

3. If buying from an online store and not an individual, have the guitar shipped to a friend overseas and coordinate with that person. This way, you can tell him about Nos. 1 & 2.

Jim
www.jimantonio.tk

megadeth · #8 02-28-2005, 02:56 PM

my dad is a very good friend of Commisionar of customs and duty. WOHOOOOO !!!!!!!

strat110 · #9 02-28-2005, 04:55 PM

Well I have done a fair bit of research into this and have taken the plunge and doing it....legitimately!!

I will get hit for import duty but I don't wanna take the chance of a bigger hit... even with the addition duty it still a bargain and cheaper than me flying over to get it.