Shipping to NZ from USA adventures

[timbledum]

Hey guys, I've just posted this in my other thread, but thought I'ld start a new one to get more attention on this particular topic.

As I mentioned in that one, my mates currently in the states so I'm trying to get him to pick me up a stingray HH (currently leaning towards vintage sunburst). Problem is he has to get a plane to LA, then another back to NZ, and both flights have the possibility of smacking him with a charge, plus customs have the possibility of chucking GST (goods and services tax) of 12.5% on the original price. None of these charges are certain though, my mate does have a chance of sweet talking his way through.

One possible solution that ive heard is at What's the cheapest way to ship an electric guitar to New Zealand? | Ask MetaFilter
where the suggestion is to take the neck off, and put the body and neck in a box labeled *used guitar parts* reducing freight and evading the GST on new items. However that means I'll have to buy a case in NZ and something about doing this just doesnt sit right.

Has anyone been in this kinda situation? And how would you feel about disassembling your bass to ship it? Poll time!

 

[maddog]

taking the neck off a bass for shipping works just fine.

advertising that you're going to evade customs on a public forum doesn't work so well.

 

[five7]

Youch and double ouch!

 

[Subscript]

Even if you lie on the label, there could still be a problem if they check it, which is likely for something of such high value. Unless you lie about that too. It's not like it'll need to be insured for a lot of money. What's the worst that could happen to an expensive guitar being shipped half way around the world? If you shipped it you'd have to spend money on a new case instead of sticking with the free case it comes with, so you would lose money there anyway. Then there's the shipping fee, problems with taking it apart and reassembling...

Personally, I would just suck it up and pay whatever fee the airline wants to bust your friend with. Lying on customs forms and whatnot for something that's worth more than $1000 is risky behaviour.

 

[Colin]

what about the case? Is it really worth the risk to save a few dollars

 

[Mogee]

taking the neck off a bass for shipping works just fine.

advertising that you're going to evade customs on a public forum doesn't work so well.

Freakin' hilarious.

 

[danny-79]

Ive never flown with my stingray but the day will come when i will need to move it when i finaly do move, but from what ive heard carring it on as hand luggage in a gig bag style case as a personal item is about the best way of moving it, rather than risking giving it to baggage handlers etc (an you could even get the hard case posted over empty at a later date depending on the cost postage).
Im interested in this topic so if im wrong in saying any of the above please correct me.

 

[five7]

I was able to take my stingray on a flight from vegas to denver in a gigbag. It was the only piece of carry on luggage I had and it easily fit above my seat. I was quite relieved after worrying that I would have to check it with the luggage. I would recommend your friend carry it on.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Cases that wil fit a Stingray are $200-$300 less than the extra cost of shipping, so shipping neck off is a no brainer.

 

[bovinehost]

Yes, trying to find ways to break the law on a public forum is not going to work.