importing a bass into the U.S. from Europe - fees

[smperry]

I'm sure this has been asked before. I've searched, and keep coming up with stuff in the other direction. Probably not using the right terms.

Anyway, what is the import duty/tax rate for a bass (sent from the UK)? I've been trying to make sense of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (2007) (Rev. 2) and it's giving me a headache.

Many thanks!
Marshall

[theshadow2001]

I don't get it. What could you want in England that's not offered over there or better?

[smperry]

if all goes well, you'll see in a couple of weeks.

[theshadow2001]

Originally Posted by smperry

if all goes well, you'll see in a couple of weeks.

I've looked into this before for bringing a bass over here. My only conclusion was that you'd have to just order it and see what happens and be prepared to take a larger hit than expected.

[nad]

I have a custom coming from Scotland in a few months. I didn't even factor in this to the cost, and only thought about it the other day, several months after placing a deposit. Hopefully it won't be ridiculous.

Chapter 92 has some information:

http://hotdocs.usitc.gov/docs/tata/h...er/0702c92.pdf

Looks like 8.7% for one bass, if valued over $100 excluding case. Sucks.

Good thing it isn't coming from Cuba or North Korea or it'd be 40%. *shakes fist at the inherent stupidity of organized government*

EDIT: maybe only 5%? This chart is stupid. Possible user error.

EDIT EDIT: I'm going to go with 5%, but to make sure will plan for 8.7%, although that sounds like only for acoustic instruments.

EDIT EDIT EDIT: I'll bring 3 Benjamins to the Post Office to be absolutely sure.

[theshadow2001]

Originally Posted by nad

I have a custom coming from Scotland in a few months. I didn't even factor in this to the cost, and only thought about it the other day, several months after placing a deposit. Hopefully it won't be ridiculous.

Chapter 92 has some information:

http://hotdocs.usitc.gov/docs/tata/h...er/0702c92.pdf

Looks like 8.7% for one bass, if valued over $100 excluding case. Sucks.

Good thing it isn't coming from Cuba or North Korea or it'd be 40%. *shakes fist at the inherent stupidity of organized government*

EDIT: maybe only 5%? This chart is stupid. Possible user error.

EDIT EDIT: I'm going to go with 5%, but to make sure will plan for 8.7%, although that sounds like only for acoustic instruments.

EDIT EDIT EDIT: I'll bring 3 Benjamins to the Post Office to be absolutely sure.

I think this pretty much demonstrates my point

[Fab_Superlative]

I recently received a bass,shipped from Japan.The declared value in U.S. dollars was $594.79 the fees were as follows...

$51.75 for import duty
$4.75 for Postal fee (it was shipped via express mail)
$5.50 for Customs fee

Grand total = $62.00 for import fee.

Hope this helps.

And Customs is backlogged so expect some delay for the gear to jump through the hoops.

[smperry]

thanks guys. that is about what I thought, or thought i should be prepared for...

I saw that 40% business too!

M

[nad]

Bump.

According to the Harmonized Tariff ********, 5% should be the proper import duty, but it looks like the above scenario charged 8.7%, which, according to my reading of the HTBS, should only be for acoustic stringed instruments, not electric. So I'm going to print out both situations and bring them with me, along with possible plans for an argument it seems.

Originally Posted by theshadow2001

I think this pretty much demonstrates my point

No it doesn't. I ordered a bass from a builder out of Scotland. If I was buying an instrument that could be purchased stateside, then yes, your point makes sense. I didn't, therefore it doesn't.

"You can't say that!"
he said
"It doesn't, and you can't, I won't, and it don't
it hasn't, it isn't, it even ain't, and it shouldn't
it couldn't"
He told him, "No, no, no"
I told him, "Yes, yes, yes"
I said, "I do it all the time
Ain't this boogie a mess?"
The poodle bites, the poodle chews it...

[pickles]

Just curious if you guys got this figured out. Looking at buying a bass in canada to ship to the US and wondering what the import costs will be.

[Schlyder]

I'm looking to get some info as well, if anyone has shipped from Europe to Canada before. (from Spain to be precise) What the shipping cost was, and duty etc. Thanks.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by pickles

Just curious if you guys got this figured out. Looking at buying a bass in canada to ship to the US and wondering what the import costs will be.

no duties apply unless a substantial portion of the parts were sourced outside of nafta....ups or fedex will try to gouge you for a brokerage fee which make import duties look minor.....see if it's possible to self broker by calling the carrier before you ship

[barbe-et-hache]

Last time I check to send one of my bass from Canada to the US, the price given by Fedex included import taxes. Also when I received my cabs from the US (to Canada), everything was payed to Fedex prior to shipping.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by barbe-et-hache

Last time I check to send one of my bass from Canada to the US, the price given by Fedex included import taxes. Also when I received my cabs from the US (to Canada), everything was payed to Fedex prior to shipping.

taxes and brokerage fees are different.....i've seen 35 dollar brokerage fees on 30 dollar items

[roro92]

Stop whining about 8,7%. Over here in the Netherlands they charge us 23%.