Help! Shipping vintage guitars from US to UK

[marsguitars]

Hi,

I'm based in UK and thinking of buying a couple of vintage guitars from private sellers in the US.

Any tips on packing, best carriers, customs etc?

A few comments from an australian collector here: Guitar Collector Forum • View topic - International shipping of vintage guitars but any other info gratefully received!

btw, I'm talking ~ $1,000 1970's guitars here, not super-rare or tens of thousands of bucks!.

Thanks,
Paul

 

[Spudmurphy]

USPS are fine - add about 20% to cover vat and import duties.
From the US I bleeb that USPS charge about $100.
Spud

 

[Smellybum]

There's also a bit of luck sometimes as when customs are busy some things get through for free - but take the insurance!


DHL & FEDEX Charge retrospectivly for customs chargning.

 

[ratit]

Not recommend

I had very bad experience buying from overseas and I hope it's helpful for you.

1. Some overseas sellers will declare the value of guitar at lower rate, to 'help' the buyers to avoid some taxes(however, it's definitely illegal in the UK). They say it's a good will, but actually, most business man just want a SELLING. They don't care the potential trouble you may have with the local custom. If the UK custom knows（they have right to open every parcel to verify the item or value against the smuggling), terrible penalty will be issued.
2. In 1st case, if the item loss or damage during the delivery(it happens sometimes, especially for such a long distance shipping), you can't have full money back as the item hasn't been fully insured.
3, Against 2nd case, you need the item to be fully insured, but custom will charge you full taxes(was told around 22%(VAT+DUTY) based on the value declaration(if you need full insurance, the value of the item need to be declared fully as well).
4. Last but not the least, if the item damaged(not lost, sometimes you would rather hope it lost), you need to send it back for a replacement or repairing. In that case, you need to pay the shipping and the possible taxes AGAIN!

If you are good luck ENOUGH, you can get a cheaper guitar safe and sounds at the end. Otherwise, trust me, it's a nightmare! I calculated the price, considering the worst situation, I would like to buy guitars locally rather than buy from overseas, maybe I pay a little bit more, but it's for the low risk and the full warranty.

 

[Bungo]

I have bought several guitars from the US without trouble.

The worst problem I had was when one got lost within Parcelforce at this end for a few weeks before mysteriously appearing again!

I was very pleased when on a recent trip to the States, I brought one back with me, declared it in the red channel at customs, and was waved through by a very cheerful customs fella without shelling out a bean!

RESULT!!!

 

[buckethead777]

I've had a VERY good experience shipping from US to Australia....No hickups at all...
But, thats coz leftyguitarblue is THE man!

 

[Astrofreq]

I've shipped to Europe several times with no problems. I always use USPS, but from what I remember, the insurance only goes to $600 overseas, so you just gotta pray it gets there.

 

[Jimmyb]

I've had a couple of guitars shipped over from the US, it's really no biggie. As long as I get a tracking number I'm happy.

If you're shipping it in a decent case, it's really not a big worry either.

 

[PaoloGilberto]

Hi,

I have the same concern about shipping.
I am from Romania and I want to buy a guitar from US - Music Man JP with piezo.

there are now 2 and a half months since I've started to search for shipping solutions.

this guitars come as you all know with hardshell case and most guitar players told me that should not be a problem regarding risck of damage.

USPS does not accept the package because they say is to big for Romania to ship it.

so my other choices : UPS, Fedex.
UPS: around 800 $
Fedex: around 500 $
so...I will chose Fedex, I'll have a tracking no aslo. Fedex said that even for full insurance - declared value 2000 $ they guarantee that guitar will be in ROmania , but if is damaged I'll get 10 % of total value.
after a long debate I've decided to not declare it at the real price , to avoid local VTA and customs - around 400 $
it is a major risk because in case of damage or lost --- I'm ****ed )

this week I'll buy it ...

by the way...is ebay safe to buy?...I'm buying it from a musical instruments ebay store with 100 %positive feedback (250 ratings).
it might happen to pay the guitar and not get it or the seller send other cheaper guitar??

thx a lot

paul

 

[ratit]

Hi,

after a long debate I've decided to not declare it at the real price , to avoid local VTA and customs - around 400 $
it is a major risk because in case of damage or lost --- I'm ****ed )


paul

Although there are many people do international deals in this way, especially in the ebay platform, it is definitely illegal in most countries. I don't know what's the situation in your country, but in the UK, this is a kind of criminal -SMUGGLING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If the custom suspect the value declaration, they have right to check it. Sometimes, you will be surcharged the vat+tax. But the worst situation, you will be fined double or trible, or even be prosecuted.

One of my friends bought two laptops from ebay US, unfortunately, he now has to deal with the worst situation.......

DO NOT RECOMMEND, or, try your luck, mate.