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jaymzHal
Silver Member
United Kingdom
297 Posts |
 Posted - 04/27/2008 : 01:21:06
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I'm visiting a friend in California for a month in the summer and I also want a new guitar. If I bought a guitar at far more reasonable American prices, does anyone know if I would be charged tax on return to the uk or additional fees for taking it as hand luggage or in the hold?
any help would be great, especially stories from personal experience of flying with guitars! my searches on the internet keep turning up articles on flying v's  |
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zentropa
Gold Member
USA
837 Posts |
Posted - 04/27/2008 : 02:56:27
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if i remember correctly...
most countries have a limit upon the amount of stuff you can bring back duty free which must be documented by receipt. for most countries this is in the realm of $250-750 USD.
the fees will often vary depending upon the country of origin of the products. e.g. you may be able bring a marshall tube amp back for free, and the duty on an american made guitar may be different than one made in mexico, japan, korea, etc. you may be able to forge the receipt, but that's cracking open a different can of worms.
as for my experiences flying with guitars, unless you have an ATA case w/ guarenteed insurance from the case maker, i generally would only recommend bringing a guitar as a carry on. every year some employees get fired from airports for being caught on video trashing people's stuff.
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 04/27/2008 : 03:08:28
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I've never actually carried a guitar on as carry-on myself, and I've only ever seen it done "years" ago.
Having some amount of experience with international travel (I'm and Aussie temporarily in Canada), the problem as I see it today is that the airport security might not like the strings - too easy to be turned into weapons?
The airline will tell you if you can even bring it on board as carry-on if you call them - I'd make the call to the USA number while in the USA (but before you buy the guitar  )
I'd also take a quick side-trip to airport security when I first arrived at the airport and ask the folks who will be x-raying your stuff on the way out if it's OK to bring a guitar through.
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Edited by - Laurie on 04/27/2008 03:09:20 |
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Caliban
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
145 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2008 : 22:36:15
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You'd have to get the guitar taken in the hold. That would mean investing in a very good quality flightcase with TSA approved locks (that means that US security authorities can open the case to check the contents without having to break the case open).
On arrival in the UK you'll have to pay 17.5% VAT and 4.5% musical instrument import tax on both the cost of the guitar and any additional shipping/baggage. |
Edited by - Caliban on 04/28/2008 22:36:49 |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2008 : 22:39:26
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"arrival in the UK you'll have to pay 17.5% VAT and 4.5% musical instrument import tax on both the cost of the guitar and any additional shipping/baggage."
Thats if you get caught...... ........ |
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Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2008 : 22:52:24
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quote:
Originally posted by FRANZONI
Thats if you get caught..............
GASP!! |
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ChristoMephisto
Platinum Member
Canada
1288 Posts |
Posted - 04/28/2008 : 23:57:56
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| Did you check to see what it would cost to ship it home to yourself as a gift? |
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jaymzHal
Silver Member
United Kingdom
297 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2008 : 00:38:34
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| Cheers for the suggestions. The airline says that if i take it on as carry on luggage I can't take any other hand luggage, which is to be expected. However, if its in the hold then any damage is not covered by their policy, or my travel insurance policy for that matter. I will look into sending it as a gift though. However, it looks like it really wouldn't be worth the trouble at this rate! |
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zestystrat
Silver Member
USA
283 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2008 : 20:20:32
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I remember a letter floating on the net which was from a music union or something that said you can take a gtr on board and the security would not be able to take it away from you.
The idea was to carry it with you to show to security in case they decided they wanted to nic it. |
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DarrinPA
Silver Member
USA
221 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2008 : 05:53:56
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| Would flying to America with an empty guitar case, then flying back with a new guitar in the case trick them so you wouldn't have to pay any importing fees or whatever they're called? It may make it look like your returning with your own guitar that you already had when you came here. |
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pedals 4 pv
Platinum Member
Canada
1351 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2008 : 06:26:02
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quote:
Originally posted by DarrinPA
Would flying to America with an empty guitar case, then flying back with a new guitar in the case trick them so you wouldn't have to pay any importing fees or whatever they're called? It may make it look like your returning with your own guitar that you already had when you came here.
You'll fly allright, like a bird straight into a cage. |
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2008 : 14:39:48
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quote:
Originally posted by pedals 4 pv
quote:
Originally posted by DarrinPA
Would flying to America with an empty guitar case, then flying back with a new guitar in the case trick them so you wouldn't have to pay any importing fees or whatever they're called? It may make it look like your returning with your own guitar that you already had when you came here.
You'll fly allright, like a bird straight into a cage.
It's like everything else in life.....the idea of bringing out a cheap guitar and bringing a better one back in the case is sound....once you realise your taking a chance...whats the worst case scenario...he gets caught and has to pay the duty..... ....my friend had his bass taken off him in dublin airport once,while i have gone in and out of ireland for years with guitars and never had a problem....i for one,am sick of my government putting their hand in my pocket at every opportunity...... ... |
Edited by - FRANZONI on 05/05/2008 14:41:58 |
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verivorax
Platinum Member
Canada
1185 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2008 : 14:50:32
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In/Out of Canada allows you to register serial numbers, which can be compared against whatever you're returning with. I remember doing this for my GameBoy in the 80s.
If you knew the serial number of the guitar you were buying, a similar kind of thing might be possible.
If you're looking into a new Fender, the newest models ship with a TSA flight case.. many dealers are probably still unloading lots of the older molded cases..
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2008 : 16:28:41
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Hi verivorax
Slightly off topic for a moment.
My friend at work, just bought a Candy Cola Strat.
And it came in one of those Fender branded SKB - TSA Flight cases.
You really need to see one in person, to appreciate how nice they are.
Very professional.
Regards Dr. Bob |
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Caliban
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
145 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2008 : 23:21:41
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The whole fees thing is pretty transparent... VAT and duty is the main reason why US guitars are more expensive to buy in the UK.
UK Customs know all the dodges guitar buyers coming back from the States/elsewhere use and they will make your life difficult. A guitar flight case is a difficult thing to sneak past them!
It's a right pain, though: I wanted to bring back a Maton from Australia when I worked out there, but it was too much of a risk. Even though I could afford all the extra costs there was still the chance that the thing might get lost or damaged on the way (especially when I had to change planes at Dubai... all that luggage sitting out in the 40 degree heat!). |
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Importing guitars...
