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Re: Taxes on basses imported into US...

Kael

Kael

Dec 26, 2004
4,050
1,197
Oklahoma City
#1
Can someone point me to a website where I can find a table that lists how much taxes would run to import an instrument into the US please?

Thanks in advance.

PS: Mods, since this is regarding importing of basses I stuck it in this forum. If there is a more appropriate forum I should've used, then accept my apologies.

PPS: To the "do a search" police . I am sure this info is on this site somewhere. I am just ignorant of the right terms to search.
 
#4
Kael,
Check some government website for this information (Department of Commerce or Dept of State, not sure), there are charts listing taxes based on the type of instrument and origin.
As the post above mine indicates, if it is NAFTA, there is no tax.
It used to be tax free up to a certain amount (U$S 1,000) and then 10% on whatever was above that, but this is old information.
 
#6
Wal basses are always hit for 4% coming into the US. It depends on where the goods were originally manufactured.

I have the PDF file from the US .gov site if you PM me your E-mail address I can send it to you.

Japanese made items dont get taxed.

ETA. I dont know if you bought a Wal I am just saying from experience.
 
#7
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The USITC's Harmonized Tarrif Schedule has a rather specific yet confusing schedule of rates. I recently ended up paying about double what I expected based on the HTS's highest rate. I decided it wasn't worth fighting the gov't over $50.00 in the end. Expect duty to be 10-15% of declared value.

The CBP gives you a nice primer on importing. Nothing pertianing to importing a bass is answered too specifically. PM me if you have any specific questions.
 
#8
wysiwyg248 said:
It used to be tax free up to a certain amount (U$S 1,000) and then 10% on whatever was above that, but this is old information.
Click to expand...

In 2000, I ordered a bass from Ireland. The bass was insured for the purchase price (roughly $3,300). When it finally arrived, I was surprised with a bill from the US Customs Department for about $450.
That's roughly 16.75% of the purchase price, or, 19.75% of $2300 ($3300 minus a first non-taxable $1000).

For some reason, when I ordered the bass, neither the myself nor the seller thought about a customs duty.
Imagine my surprise when, instead of the delivery guy showing up with my new bass, he delivered a bill from the cutoms department that had to be paid in full before they would release the bass!
 
#9
BurningSkies said:
It depends upon where it's coming from. If its Canada or Mexico, then you'll pay nothing. If its Europe, Asia, Australia, etc., I'm sure you'll certainly pay something.
Click to expand...

Not true... the Free Trade Agreement doesn't exactly apply here... crossing back and forth as much as I do with gear - I have to have a Y38 card that lists all of my gear to avoid paying duties on either side (it proves I own or that the gear originated with me beginning at the start of my trip)...

There are always duties... it usually isn't a back breaking amount like someone previously mentioned... you can always call US Customs/Canada Customs and talk to someone toll free... I'm sure someone (hopefully) will be able to give you an idea as to how much you'd pay for what you're importing...

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#12
superjesus said:
Papazita,

Hate to be a jerk, but in the interest of accuracy, 450 is 13.64% of 3300, not 16.75%. And unless $2300 was the declared value of the instrument, its irrelevant to Customs.
Click to expand...

Well, you're right about the math. Where the heck did I get 16.75 from? :rollno:
As for the 2300...the declared value was $3300. If the first $1000 is duty free, that means the duty would be determined by the remaining 2300.
 
#13
Do you know which trade agreement covered the first $1000 as duty free? Sorry if I'm coming off as argumentative. I really don't intend to. I just spent a good amount of time researching duties and customs. I'm really curious to read about everyone's different experiences with customs.
 
#14
richmoore1998 said:
Not true... the Free Trade Agreement doesn't exactly apply here... crossing back and forth as much as I do with gear - I have to have a Y38 card that lists all of my gear to avoid paying duties on either side (it proves I own or that the gear originated with me beginning at the start of my trip)...

There are always duties... it usually isn't a back breaking amount like someone previously mentioned... you can always call US Customs/Canada Customs and talk to someone toll free... I'm sure someone (hopefully) will be able to give you an idea as to how much you'd pay for what you're importing...

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

My Dingwall came in from Canada with no customs fees. My invoice is even noted with NAFTA (no fee, etc.).
 
#15
superjesus said:
Do you know which trade agreement covered the first $1000 as duty free? Sorry if I'm coming off as argumentative. I really don't intend to. I just spent a good amount of time researching duties and customs. I'm really curious to read about everyone's different experiences with customs.
Click to expand...

No I don't know which agreement it was. I don't really care either. I don't even know if the first $1000 even was duty free, which is why I quoted the following reply:
wysiwyg248 said:
It used to be tax free up to a certain amount (U$S 1,000) and then 10% on whatever was above that, but this is old information.
Click to expand...
and gave 2 different percentages (ok, so my late night math was a bit off) regarding the $450 duty I paid.

All I know is that I had to wait another week and a half to get the money, and another month for them to ship it out. And when I finally got it... I saw that they put several large scratches in the finish on the neck while they were "inspecting' it. :mad:
 
#17
If I go to England and buy a bass while there, can I just bring it back with me on the plane? :scowl: My uncle plans bi-yearly trips to the UK which I want to go on, and in a few years I want to buy a Status. Hell, I may as well try to get it set up for me to pick it up while I'm there instead of shipping.
 
#18
PBass101 said:
If I go to England and buy a bass while there, can I just bring it back with me on the plane? :scowl: My uncle plans bi-yearly trips to the UK which I want to go on, and in a few years I want to buy a Status. Hell, I may as well try to get it set up for me to pick it up while I'm there instead of shipping.
Click to expand...

Yes, you may be able to bring the bass home with you (airline permitting), but you'll still likely owe an import duty on it.
 

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