Import Duties on Guitars.....ZERO ??

[mc2]

 

I just spotted this on a UK guitar manufacturer's website.

Is this true for all foreign made guitars imported into the U.S.?

Is it only for new guitars or also used?

If you are located in USA you will not have to pay import duty as Guitars are zero rated.
 

[Victor (Fret Friend)]

Not true! You do not pay duty only if the country of origin is the same country the guitar is going into ie: if it's a USA guitar going back into the USA = there is no import duty. I'd imagine that there will be tax though...

[Bloozguy]

An electric guitar coming into the United States from the UK would be hit with 3.7% duty and 20% tax. (from www.dutycalculator.com)

[django49]

Whatever the rules are, they appear to be applied very inconsistently. Dealing with the same retailer in Canada (these involving instruments from Europe), one resulted in zero charges of any sort. The next caught me by surprise, as UPS "demanded" a $400 ransom before they would give up the goods. I never did get a full explanation----Best I can tell, they applied the equivalent of an 8% sales (or use) tax, against HALF the value of the instruments. This was assessed at the federal level (apparently) and not at the state or local level. I have NO clue as to where the money went.

Just be aware that there MIGHT be a surprise lurking in such purchases. And, God forbid, that they decide to conclude that the product includes Brazilian rosewood or other such components!

[Victor (Fret Friend)]

I recently bought a brand new Japanese Edwards guitar from Japan at a cost of £600 (900 of your US $'s). With import duty/tax/shipping, it actually cost me £900 ($1350). Just the way it is nowadays and with something new, I suppose we just have to pay. I really (and I mean REALLY) begrudge having to pay import tax/VAT on a 'used' guitar though = that really get's my pip and is the reason I no longer buy guitars from the US any more (I used to buy most of my gear from the US)...

[Studio Custom]

About 5%

I used some generic numbers to get it to calculate the percentage   

http://m.dutycalculator.com/new-import-duty-and-tax-calculation/saved_calculations/view_details/199702270/

[mc2]

 

Yeah, my understanding had been, if a U.S. Guitar is returning to the U.S., then no duties.

 

The above initial post of "Zero Duties" is directly from Emerald Guitars, which is in Ireland and builds graphite guitars.

They have been doing business for a number of years internationally. Maybe they know some trick?

emeraldguitars.com

[Studio Custom]

USA products returning have no duty. The shipper of my Josie Suhr screwed up his paperwork, even after I explained this in detail, DHL held the guitar hostage for $650 duty.  When I refused to absorb his error, he eventually paid it, deciding it was cheaper than having it return and reship it. 

Although Ireland is not the UK, the duty is the same.  

[kizanski]

Hehe doodies. 

[gorch]

12 hours ago, Bloozguy said:

An electric guitar coming into the United States from the UK would be hit with 3.7% duty and 20% tax. (from www.dutycalculator.com)

You would be right if the guitar were non-USA made.