Shipping from US to Spain

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El Polaco

Posts: 155
Joined: Sep. 29 2005
From: Singer Island - Florida

Shipping from US to Spain

Can anyone give me a quick rundown on how shipping guitars to Spain works.

I have an order from Malaga and want to get a fairly close estimate of taxes, customs duties etc...
I assume it is all based on the value?

Thanks!

Jorge.

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Jorge

Guitarras Artesanas Españolas
www.jorgedezofia.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 18 2012 13:47:18

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: Shipping from US to Spain (in reply to El Polaco)

Taxes are really tough here.

Even though its "only" 18%, all the extras makes it run up to 25 - 30%

I can normally ship to the US for around 300 - 350,-€

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Blog: http://news-from-the-workshop.blogspot.com/

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 18 2012 15:02:30

mark indigo

Posts: 3625
Joined: Dec. 5 2007

RE: Shipping from US to Spain (in reply to El Polaco)

quote:

Can anyone give me a quick rundown on how shipping guitars to Spain works.

just like shipping coals to Newcastle i should imagine....

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 18 2012 15:57:13

Andy Culpepper

Posts: 3023
Joined: Mar. 30 2009
From: NY, USA

RE: Shipping from US to Spain (in reply to El Polaco)

So you got the order from the guy we were talking about? Congrats man.
I have shipped to Australia and Bahrain. In the Bahrain case the buyer had a FedEx account and he covered the charges on his end which I think weren't too bad. For Australia I think it was around $400-500 to ship USPS. If you're willing to undervalue the guitar/ call it a gift they can usually get around taxes and such but that's up to you. Not really sure about how it works in Spain though. Good luck amigo.

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Andy Culpepper, luthier
http://www.andyculpepper.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 18 2012 21:14:17

estebanana

Posts: 9371
Joined: Oct. 16 2009

RE: Shipping from US to Spain (in reply to El Polaco)

Shipping to Spain is tricky. You have two options for shipping. One is USPS the other is Fed Ex -DHL.

USPS one week delivery will cost about $100.00 from most places in the continental US. It will get to Madrid within one week usually, but it will be held in customs in Madrid for what could be several weeks. Usually two to three weeks. The customer will have to submit import tax paperwork on the declared value to the customs office in Madrid. This can be faxed. You can declare it as a gift, but not sure how this will effect sending more guitars in the future. They keep records. The customer will have to have the paper work cleared by Madrid customs and then the guitar will be shipped by Spanish postal to the destination where they have to pay the required fees when they pick it up. The shipping is reliable and somewhat safe via USPS and you can insure the guitar. However you must make the insured value not more than the declared value or this will raise a flag at Madrid Customs. You can't have 3000.00 worth of insurance on a 500.00 dollar guitar even though you want to do it that way. You have to take one or the other, lower declared value with risk of damage not being covered, or higher declared value and matching insurance. But your customer will pay the higher cost at 20% import duty. You have to come to a compromise with the customer.

USPS uses Fed Ex jets as their over seas carriers. Even though you may use USPS, Fed Ex will be flying it over the Atlantic.

Fed EX -DHL shipping of a guitar is more expensive to Spain, it will run 550.00 to 700.00 depending on your US location with about $625.00 being the average price. There is a size limit of I think 46" long that is difficult to pack to. After the package goes over 46" long the price goes up dramatically. ( as if it is not insane already)

The Fed Ex or DHL 3 day shipping includes expediting the guitar through Spanish Customs in the time they say they will deliver. The cost of the import tax in Spain will remain the same and not be covered by the high shipping fee. What you basically pay for with these carriers is the luxury and peace of mind that comes with being expedited through Spanish Customs as fast as possible. With USPS you have to wait and go at Madrid's pace. The insurance is also more expensive than USPS insurance, although the actual handling of the package is about the same.

Third option is finding a trustworthy hand carrier who you could give a fee to who is going to Spain who can then arrange a pick up or ship by Spanish postal in country. Risky depending on who you know.

Not much fun either way. USPS can stimulate lots and lots...and lots of nail biting while you wait for customs to slog along, and DHL- Fex Ex commit wallet rape.

And if it is Brazilian rosewood forget it. The paper work and risk is crazy making.

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https://www.stephenfaulkguitars.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 18 2012 22:21:16

El Polaco

Posts: 155
Joined: Sep. 29 2005
From: Singer Island - Florida

RE: Shipping from US to Spain (in reply to estebanana)

Thanks fellas! I guess it's time to move back to Spain! I'm still an EU citizen ...but carrying the band saw will be murder!

I did add a bit on to the price for unforeseen expenses so I suppose I'll be ok. Was wondering about the gift approach but that woud have to be done with caution and some risk too I know.

Andy, this it is another player from Malaga. I'm still negotiating with Daniel - reduced price plus some publicity.

Thanks Anders and Stephen for all the info!

Jorge

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Jorge

Guitarras Artesanas Españolas
www.jorgedezofia.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 19 2012 4:08:44