Any Aussies (that's you, Rob, Colin, et al) bought an EBMM via eBay USA?

[DavidOfOz]

Suppose - just hypothetically - I was to impulsively buy a (very, very) nice second-hand EBMM guitar via eBay from a seller in the US. For this hypothetical, let's assume that the seller is a gentleman and a scholar, and has organised all the packaging/shipping/insurance with absolute precision and perfection. Let's also assume the value of the hypothetical guitar is over the $1000 duty exemption limit.

What can I expect to happen once the hypothetical guitar hits Australian shores? What happens with customs? Would the hypothetical guitar come with an invoice for duty/GST, or would the invoice come some time after the guitar arrives? Do the customs people hang on to the guitar until I pay? (Surely not!) Is there anything I should do before the hypothetical guitar arrives to ensure things go well? Or should I sit back and enjoy the wait, and worry about it all after the guitar arrives? Hypothetically.



I'm completely ignorant/naive in these matters, so, my fellow Australians, I'd be very interested to hear of your experiences and any advice!!

 

[robelinda2]

Yes ive bought many! Yes customs hang onto the guitar until you pay. they send out a few forms a few days after the guitar gets to them, you fill it all out, they send some more forms etc...can go on for a few weeks. I bought an AL for $1050 AUS, i paid $290 customs fees. It was in customs for 6 weeks. I had to register as an importer. The key is to get the guitar declared by the seller at under $1000 AUS, then it bypasses customs and goes to your door. I will never buy from USA ever again unless the guitar valued under $1000 AUS, i dont to want to go through the customs mess again. However, for a Dargie.........

ps Lachlan says AL's are better than Lukes.

 

[DavidOfOz]

Yes ive bought many! Yes customs hang onto the guitar until you pay....

I was afraid of that.

...I will never buy from USA ever again unless the guitar valued under $1000 AUS, i dont to want to go through the customs mess again. However, for a Dargie..........

That sounds like good advice! You've convinced me...I don't think I'll ever, ever buy from the USA except for something like, um, a fully loaded Dargie Luke.

ps Lachlan says AL's are better than Lukes.

Lachlan would! However, after playing my BFR Luke, he did have to admit it was a "nice guitar". (High praise indeed given how particular Master Lachlan is about all things guitar.)

 

[mcvinyl]

I've purchased three guitars from the U.S.A and Rob hit the nail on the head, if you can get it declared for less than $1000 AUD you're fine. It sails straight through. I think Colin bought one like that and he had his guitar in about 4 days if I remember correctly. Although I also remeber that he bought one from the U.S.A and the colour was listed as tobacco sunburst and customs charged him a fee to spray it with insectecide 'cause they thought it was tobacco

Simon

 

[Colin]

they did a tobacco test on it and charged me a couple hundred for the experience. if it's been shipped thru FedEx or similar you can pay the customs fees over the phone.

 

[DavidOfOz]

Thanks guys! Much appreciated. Okay, so in future:

(1) Don't buy second-hand from the USA unless (a) it's really, really, really special, or (b) under $1,000.
(2) Make sure the seller declares the value at under $1,000.
(3) Have it shipped via FedEx.

Hmmm. Okay...looks like I should have thought about all of this before being (incredibly and uncharacteristically) impulsive. Nah...nothing would have stopped me when you consider what the (not-so) hypothetical guitar is!

I'm doing some research on customs to see what forms etc I can have ready to go the moment customs calls.

they did a tobacco test on it and charged me a couple hundred for the experience. if it's been shipped thru FedEx or similar you can pay the customs fees over the phone.

Sheesh. And I thought Simon was joking!!

I hope the words "Dargie Delight" don't raise too many alarm bells for customs!!!

 

[Larry]

This seller seems like a really good guy

Let me know if I can be of any help...

 

[DavidOfOz]

This seller seems like a really good guy

Yes, whoever he is, I've got nothing but kind words to say!

Let me know if I can be of any help...

Thanks ... I may just send you an email soon!

 

[Dizzy]

Definately get it declared sub $AU1000

I've only ever had mine shipped USPS, and they have arrived on my doorstep in as little as 4 days ! (One took 10 days)
Never had a problem, and nearly all were trackable on-line.

 

[Larry]

Thanks ... I may just send you an email soon!

E-Mail responded to

 

[mcvinyl]

If I remember correctly the seller has to print out three "invoices" declaring the value of the guitar. Depending on who your seller is their invoice can say it's vauled at less than $1000 even if you paid more. Then you save the GST & Import duty. The problem is then if anything happens with the guitar in transit you only receive insurance for the "declared" value.

Simon

 

[Larry]

E-Mail responded to

As well as the other one

 

[MPM]

(1) Don't buy second-hand from the USA unless (a) it's really, really, really special, or (b) under $1,000.
(2) Make sure the seller declares the value at under $1,000.
(3) Have it shipped via FedEx.

(4) Make sure it isn't a Tobacco Sunburst finish.

 

[robelinda2]

David, definitely dont use Fed Ex or DHL these days, could cost up to $800 is shipping fees, i called them a few weeks ago to get an estimate, ridiculous price. I also had the misfortune of being charged $1000 for shipping a guitar last year from DHL, prices have gone up for sure. USPS is great though when getting a guitar shippied from the USA.

 

[Larry]

David, definitely dont use Fed Ex or DHL these days...

UPS, DHL, and FedEx were all over $600 when I was getting quotes. Its quite ridiculous really.

 

[marduke]

i got my JP6 in from the states, wasnt really that much hassle, only customs quarantined the entire shipment my JP was on.. lol so it took afew more days than expected.. i used UPS and it only cost AUD$300 (roughly, i cant remember exactly how much) then another AUD$200 on top of that for stamp duty... i still think its worth it.. but i dont know wether i want to get 2nd handies anymore...

 

[jappy]

I have a feeling there was some sort of duty exemption for US-made goods due to the Free Trade Agreement?

 

[Dizzy]

USPS Never more than US$145 shipping USA - Perth.
And never had an issue - despite some of the horror stories.

I really think a lot of it depends on the packing.
If it's packed well, not much can go wrong.

Unless, of course, it goes missing.

 

[DavidOfOz]

I have a feeling there was some sort of duty exemption for US-made goods due to the Free Trade Agreement?

Ooo...I like the sound of that!

USPS Never more than US$145 shipping USA - Perth.
And never had an issue - despite some of the horror stories.

The seller has done the right thing by selecting USPS! (Thanks, Larry!)

....Unless, of course, it goes missing.

Don't even suggest such a thing!! (He said in a terrified tone)

 

[Larry]

I put it in the original shipping box that I received it in and taped it up good