Author Topic: Customs duty? (Read 10660 times)

Sifu Ben · « **on:** May 10, 2006, 01:14:09 PM »

Someone on the Dean Forum has offered me a sweet deal on a second hand Vendetta (about £225 for mint condition with upgraded PUps). Could those of you with experience of buying guitars from the States suggest how much I'd have to pay in VAT and duty?

jordan · « **Reply #1 on:** May 10, 2006, 01:30:31 PM »

In terms of charges, first of all you'll get hit by a 3% import duty on the guitar. Customs will then add that to the cost of the guitar and then charge you VAT on top of that. Then you have the cost of shipping (which if you're unlucky will be included in the import duty/tax calcuations). I remember phoning up the UK customs people before I ordered one guitar, and they were very helpful - even to the extent of asking the price of what I was buying and doing the calculations with me over the phone.

Twinfan · « **Reply #2 on:** May 10, 2006, 01:40:49 PM »

If you add 21% to the cost of the guitar (including shipping) that'll be roughly the price. It's actually:

(Price of guitar + shipping) x 1.037 x 1.175
(Price of guitar + shipping) x Import Tax (3.7%) x VAT (17.5%)

I was working this out recently and it gets close to being not really worth it unless you're buying something rare (i.e. you can't get one in Europe).

mikeluke · « **Reply #3 on:** May 10, 2006, 01:50:31 PM »

It is mentioned but I will clarify - you have to pay VAT on the price of the guitar plus shipping costs - I don't think that you pay VAT on the import tax too.

I've ordered quite a few spare parts etc from the USA - if you get the seller to mark them as 'Used Guitar Parts' they usually get through Customs etc with no duty paid. Big guitar package might be a little obvious though!

Sifu Ben · « **Reply #4 on:** May 10, 2006, 02:00:08 PM »

Hmm, so it'll be £50 cheaper, but I'll have less protection etc. Doesn't seem like such a good deal does it :(

Twinfan · « **Reply #5 on:** May 10, 2006, 02:04:19 PM »

Quote from: mikeluke

I don't think that you pay VAT on the import tax too.

Yes you do! :(

steve · « **Reply #6 on:** May 10, 2006, 02:37:55 PM »

Support your local music store. There may not be many left soon if the internet has its way.

Sifu Ben · « **Reply #7 on:** May 10, 2006, 03:15:19 PM »

my local music stores are a*sh*les :( I don't mind paying a LITTLE more for a more personal service etc, but when you're paying hundreds of pounds more to be glared at or treated like an idiot by someone with no sales skills whatsoever, I'll take my money elsewhere thank you very much.
Besides, the internet supplier that I'll use to get one new is just down the road 8)

dave_mc · « **Reply #8 on:** May 10, 2006, 04:10:16 PM »

Quote from: Sifu Ben

Hmm, so it'll be £50 cheaper, but I'll have less protection etc. Doesn't seem like such a good deal does it :(

yeah, that's why they have customs... :(

Kilby · « **Reply #9 on:** May 10, 2006, 04:34:10 PM »

Quote from: Sifu Ben

my local music stores are a*sh*les :( I don't mind paying a LITTLE more for a more personal service etc, but when you're paying hundreds of pounds more to be glared at or treated like an idiot by someone with no sales skills whatsoever, I'll take my money elsewhere thank you very much.
Besides, the internet supplier that I'll use to get one new is just down the road 8)

I was told by a few people that Kempsters in Swindon where pretty OK, but then that was a while ago.

Rob...

Sifu Ben · « **Reply #10 on:** May 10, 2006, 06:12:44 PM »

Pricewise they're probably the best in Swindon, but they are the WORST offenders for the rest of it.

indysmith · « **Reply #11 on:** May 10, 2006, 07:14:01 PM »

Quote from: Sifu Ben

my local music stores are a*sh*les :( I don't mind paying a LITTLE more for a more personal service etc, but when you're paying hundreds of pounds more to be glared at or treated like an idiot by someone with no sales skills whatsoever, I'll take my money elsewhere thank you very much.
Besides, the internet supplier that I'll use to get one new is just down the road 8)

I know the feeling! my local music shops drive me insane. They all talk down to you like you're a complete idiot just cuz ur dressed like one. The prices are THROUGH THE ROOF; e.g. a gibson SG standard at my local is £1200. Who is up for starting a real music shoppe?

steve · « **Reply #12 on:** May 10, 2006, 08:24:10 PM »

Fair enough, i was just making a point that the internet makes it harder every day for shops to make a sale but if you are treated badly in a shop then they dont deserve your money in the first place.

R/2e · « **Reply #13 on:** May 12, 2006, 05:12:23 PM »

In defence of shops (but not shoddy treatment) have you any idea what they have to pay out in rent, rates, tax, accountants, not to mention the actual cost of stocking stuff (If you have a £1000 guitar on the wall for a month, imagine how much interest you'd get on that £1000 in the bank. Multiply that by the entire stock and the average stock turns per year, probably three if you're lucky and it all mounts up).

I feel sorry for music shops, people come in, waste staff time trying out stuff and asking damn fool questions, then go and buy on the Internet because it is 'cheaper'. My local shop has a sign on the door saying "Guitars purchased on the Internet repaired here" - you would not believe how many repairs, setups, etc, I get out of that. The online sellers need to churn out large quantities cheap to make their profit, thus don't expect the product to play very well out of the box. And if the shop doesn't sell stuff, soon it will close down then you'll have nowhere to try out equipment.

How many music shop owners of your acquaintance run Ferraris? New Fords even? Exactly my point!!! The owner of my local music shop has a 10 year old Volvo estate (cos he needs the estate for deliveries of drum kits, amps, etc)