Customs duties on guitars from overseas
Customs duties on guitars from overseas
Anyone have experience ordering guitars from Europe (EU)? Google-Fu is giving me conflicting info on how/if/when customs duties get charged. I’ve got my eye on something but don’t want to get hosed.
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Re: Customs duties on guitars from overseas
It's confusing because it depends on a lot of factors. Where it was made, where it's coming from, used or new, price etc
If you're buying an US made guitar, there are no duties, regardless of where it's coming from. I once bought a Gibson SG from France, because it was a hard model to find. No duties.
If it's not US made, then who knows. You can use this calculator for an estimate:
https://www.simplyduty.com/import-calculator/
Keep in mind that aside from duties, you may receive a letter from your state for sales tax. That would be the standard sales tax rate from your state. I didn't get one for that Gibson, but I've gotten letters from other imported gear. It's hit or miss, like anything govt related.
IMHO, doing it because it's a "good deal" is risky because it might end up not being a good deal after all this shit gets added on. I just do it when it's something I can't find anywhere else.
If you're buying an US made guitar, there are no duties, regardless of where it's coming from. I once bought a Gibson SG from France, because it was a hard model to find. No duties.
If it's not US made, then who knows. You can use this calculator for an estimate:
https://www.simplyduty.com/import-calculator/
Keep in mind that aside from duties, you may receive a letter from your state for sales tax. That would be the standard sales tax rate from your state. I didn't get one for that Gibson, but I've gotten letters from other imported gear. It's hit or miss, like anything govt related.
IMHO, doing it because it's a "good deal" is risky because it might end up not being a good deal after all this shit gets added on. I just do it when it's something I can't find anywhere else.
Re: Customs duties on guitars from overseas
I haven't bought a guitar from over seas in a while, but I've bought 2 guitars from Solar. Each was $60 in duties. Guitars were around $900-$1100 each or something? Hard to remember.
But yeah, depends on too many things, so they don't really give you an exact number lol. Feels like a govt scam.
But yeah, depends on too many things, so they don't really give you an exact number lol. Feels like a govt scam.
I like 5150s. The rest of you bullshit amps can get fucked.
Re: Customs duties on guitars from overseas
I have also ordered from Solar twice and did not pay any duties. Total crap shoot.ninjaraf wrote: ↑Sat Nov 30, 2024 3:12 pm I haven't bought a guitar from over seas in a while, but I've bought 2 guitars from Solar. Each was $60 in duties. Guitars were around $900-$1100 each or something? Hard to remember.
But yeah, depends on too many things, so they don't really give you an exact number lol. Feels like a govt scam.
Re: Customs duties on guitars from overseas
I purchased two raw guitar bodies from a dude in Belarus and I didn't have to pay anything extra. In fact the second order I received went through customs faster than the first time.