Importing to the uk - costs

[pettyman]

Hey guys, looks like I'm gonna be buying a MK Acoustic Bass in the coming months... US prices are tons better than UK especially with the strong pound at the moment...

So the firefly 4 string AB is $299 - how much do I expect to pay on customs/import tax? and how does it work??

I'm guessing there must be a few UK people here who have done similar?

Cheers
Matt

[danb]

You'll pay neighborhood of $120 shipping and 20% on import duty on declared or insured value

[pettyman]

ouch!

[danb]

Yeah, not always ideal http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[mandelect]

As far as I'm aware, the import duty, on musical instruments, to the UK is usually around 4 -4.5%; this is added to the total costs of the instrument plus package and postage! A further 17.5% VAT is then added to the previous total. The delivery/shipping company then adds a small clearance fee on top of that total; the fee covers their cost for revenue collection on behalf of customs and excise.

A recent mandolin purchase from the States cost me:

$2795 Total (Instrument & P&P) =

£1390 Approx (can't remember the exact exchange rate at the time)

£322.26 Custom Charges broken down on the charge slip as:

£ #46.47 Import Duty
£ #00.00 Excise Duty
£262.29 VAT
£ #00.00 Other
£ #13.50 Parcel Force Clearance Fee

Hope this helps,

Ralph

[Peter]

You could have the bass sent by courier and designated by the maker as 'Sample instrument'. This should save some of the Vat and Duty.