Buying From USA

[philmccann]

HI there

If I was to buy an item (guitar) via t'internet from the States,from a private individual (Fleabay), would I have to pay VAT or the like on it.

Rgds

Phil

[Monki]

If it's new you will get hammered for handling fees, and import duty on top of the cost of the item,shipping cost and handling fee.

I think a second hand item is exempt from this....not 100% though

[onomatopoeia]

My experience of buying stuff from the states is yes you would and possibly import duty as well unless it is very cheap and so under the threshold for customs to get interested.

[Maxf]

Monki said:

If it's new you will get hammered for handling fees, and import duty on top of the cost of the item,shipping cost and handling fee.

I think a second hand item is exempt from this....not 100% though

No, it isnt. Budget for about 22% on top of the sales price for import taxes.

[philmccann]

HI again

Second hand but not cheap >£1200

Rgds

Phil

[GilbertGrape]

philmccann said:

HI there

If I was to buy an item (guitar) via t'internet from the States,from a private individual (Fleabay), would I have to pay VAT or the like on it.

Rgds

Phil

Do tell, what guitar do you want to buy?

[Kozy]

How does the old trick of getting the item posted to someon you know over there and have them send it to you as a 'gift' work?

I would like some car parts from the US soon and was planning to do this, but I'm not sure how these packages are treated any differently from all the other stuff getting sent over?

What happens to parcels marked gift?

[philmccann]

GG

Gibson ES335 '63 re-issue faded cherry block inlays. Can't find one in this country so looking abroad now.

Rgds

Phil

[GilbertGrape]

Nice.

I often contemplate buying a LP. Have a Strat, but would like something with humbuckers too.

[trooperiziz]

Kozy said:

How does the old trick of getting the item posted to someon you know over there and have them send it to you as a 'gift' work?

I would like some car parts from the US soon and was planning to do this, but I'm not sure how these packages are treated any differently from all the other stuff getting sent over?

What happens to parcels marked gift?

Gift means nothing, Customs are a law unto themselves and if the believe that should should pay VAT on an item, they will charge it to you on the value of the item. They also decide the value of the item themselves.

Annoying and extortion, but nothing you can do about it i'm afraid.

[philmccann]

GG

Got an LP Standard '91 cherryburst. But have hankered after a 335 since I played one when I was about 17. Only now can I afford the beast though!!!
Was set on a 335 Dot until I saw one of these and that changed the whole thing. Can get 335 Dots by the barrowload, but not one of these!!!

Cheers

Phil

[Stig]

philmccann said:

GG

Gibson ES335 '63 re-issue faded cherry block inlays. Can't find one in this country so looking abroad now.

Rgds

Phil

Good choice!

I bought a '69 SG reissue earlier this year on eBay. However, I brought it back with me as luggage.

The threshold seems to be items valued under $100 (I've had LOTS of car parts sent to the UK), but it's tied to the insured value - so not wise for that sort of price differential.

You could try and get it sent over as a 'gift' - but the insurance rule still applies.

[philmccann]

Hmmm

Thanks for that. Was in the Gibson factory in Memphis this time last year, however was on a Blues music driving tour and Memphis was only my third stop, so I would have had to humph it all around the southern states before going home. Only had a Mustang as well, so space was limited.

Maybe I should have at the time, although prices at the factory were not immensely cheap, around $2700 for a 335 Dot. At the time, half that for pounds, so, £1350.

Still, you learn, just thought I could get one for a reasonable price from USA now, but if it's subject to all sorts of taxes it may not be worth it.Plus of course I have carriage on top of everything else.

May still be a goer if it works out financially, the price is good but remains to be seen for carriage and tax.

Cheers

Phil

Edited by philmccann on Thursday 11th September 13:13

[gingerpaul]

From memory an electric guitar attracted 3% duty, but I might be wrong. It could be as high as 6%. Remember that duty is added to the total price, including shipping and shipping insurance. VAT is then charged on the total, including the duty already added. There may well be a handling charge on top of this too, plus any losses from the currency change. I have not included these below.

Assuming a $2,105 guitar (£1,200) and $200 shipping.

£1,298 total cost before tax
£1,337 with duty added
£1,571 with VAT added

I would assume another £50 on top for charges and currency fees, so you'd be looking at just over £1,600 as a worst case.

Edited by gingerpaul on Thursday 11th September 13:13

[philmccann]

Thx for that GP

Did a quick calc and it's probably going to cost more for a second hand one than it would for a new one over here. Only snag is lead time on the new item.

Back burner methinks

Thanks to all who helped.

Rgds

Phil

[gingerpaul]

What about this?

http://www.andertons.co.uk/acatalog/info_ESDYARDNH...

Just noticed it's out of stock. Sorry about that! All I can say is that it was in stock when I was there last week because that's how I knew to look on that site.

Edited by gingerpaul on Thursday 11th September 13:26

[philmccann]

GP

Been there, done that. Been round all the sites and on-line shops that I can think of. Any more ideas more than welcome.

Cheers

Phil

[King Herald]

philmccann said:

HI again

Second hand but not cheap >£1200

Rgds

Phil

Hmm, sight unseen, off Ebay, be careful. Be very careful dude. You might be waiting for a parcel that never arrives. Or you might receive a Walmart special, and loads of lies.

[gingerpaul]

For American dealers you could do a lot worse than working through this little lot:

http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/forumdisplay.php...