Buying online from Spain to the US. Customs etc

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JdeMaria

Posts: 21
Joined: Jun. 26 2014

Buying online from Spain to the US. ...

For those of you who are living in the US and have bought a guitar online from Spain, what did you pay as far as taxes and customs?

Or sometimes a shipment can pass without paying anything?

Also, do I have to pay their VAT if I buy from the USA?

Info from experience will be very appreciated.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 3 2014 3:37:48

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: Buying online from Spain to the ... (in reply to JdeMaria)

The best you can do is to contact your states custom authorities. Then you´ll get a correct answer.
In general, no shippings pass without having to pay import tax. US tax is normally its around 7 - 8%. If there´s anything else involved, I cant say (I´m a seller in Spain) Again, contact your states custom authorities.
Many guitars here are not VAT declared, so your price will be what you see + your import tax. Some few builders and shops will be VAT declared and then you ask for a european VAT refund.
Again, contact your states custom authorities for a correct answer.

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

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 3 2014 7:31:02

tijeretamiel

Posts: 441
Joined: Jan. 6 2012

RE: Buying online from Spain to the ... (in reply to JdeMaria)

quote:

ORIGINAL: JdeMaria

For those of you who are living in the US and have bought a guitar online from Spain, what did you pay as far as taxes and customs?

Or sometimes a shipment can pass without paying anything?

Also, do I have to pay their VAT if I buy from the USA?

Info from experience will be very appreciated.

Use this to work out an estimate
http://www.dutycalculator.com/new-import-duty-and-tax-calculation/

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 3 2014 8:32:16

JdeMaria

Posts: 21
Joined: Jun. 26 2014

RE: Buying online from Spain to the ... (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

thanks for the replies.

Before I posted, I emailed a couple places about this.

One online shop stated that their prices include the VAT and they cannot discount it for an online purchase even if it was from the USA or outside of the EU. I guess when they opt to declare VAT/include it, they can't make exceptions regardless of origin of purchase?

Furthermore, that refunds happen only when bought in person and then customs at the airport refunds "only" 12% of the total VAT, not the entire VAT.

On the other hand, another shop stated they don't charge VAT for non European purchases.

Just as you suggested. Thanks

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 4 2014 0:50:41