Import Duty - U.S.A

Costs are rising and times are tough.
Please consider a donation to keep this
place going.

Welcome to one of the most active flamenco sites on the Internet. Guests can read most posts but if you want to participate click here to register.

This site is dedicated to the memory of Paco de Lucía, Ron Mitchell, Guy Williams, Linda Elvira, Philip John Lee, Craig Eros, Ben Woods, David Serva and Tom Blackshear who went ahead of us.

We receive 12,200 visitors a month from 200 countries and 1.7 million page impressions a year. To advertise on this site please contact us.

Import Duty - U.S.A

You are logged in as Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >>Discussions >>General >>

Page: [1] 2 > >>

Message

<< Newer Topic Older Topic >>

Gecko

Posts: 218
Joined: Jan. 2 2006
From: New Mexico

Import Duty - U.S.A

I have placed myself on Anders Eliasson's wait list for one of his 1A flamencos. One thing, I forgot when figuring the approximate costs was any Import Duty into the U.S.

Does anyone know approximately what this is, or how to determine it? I did a Google and it produced a lot of hits, but most of it was rocket science.

Thanks

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 22 2006 20:41:50

Escribano

Posts: 6417
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Import Duty - U.S.A (in reply to Gecko)

quote:

Does anyone know approximately what this is, or how to determine it?

I think it's 4%-10% but don't quote me. El Zurdo on this forum should know. Send him and email.

_____________________________

Foro Flamenco founder and Admin

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 22 2006 21:00:05

Thomas Whiteley

Posts: 786
Joined: Jul. 8 2003
From: San Francisco Bay Area

RE: Import Duty - U.S.A (in reply to Gecko)

Anders may know. Also, contact Tom at La Falseta and ask him.

Here is one story that I have heard more than once. If you ship DHL you will not be charged duty. I do not know how true (if at all) that statement is. I have had guitars shipped via DHL and they charge more but they really take care of your instrument.

_____________________________

Tom
http://home.comcast.net/~flamencoguitar/flamenco.html

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 23 2006 3:05:25

Patrick

Posts: 1189
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Portland, Oregon

RE: Import Duty - U.S.A (in reply to Gecko)

I believe it is 8.7% of declared value.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 23 2006 6:24:06

Guest

RE: Import Duty - U.S.A (in reply to Gecko)

Well

as far as I know, you have to pay state tax, which is around 7 - 8% of the value of the guitar.

Saludos

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 23 2006 7:21:46

Patrick

Posts: 1189
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Portland, Oregon

RE: Import Duty - U.S.A (in reply to Gecko)

quote:

as far as I know, you have to pay state tax, which is around 7 - 8% of the value of the guitar.

You will pay state tax only for the states that have one (not all do), but the duty is at the Federal level and will likely be assessed.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 23 2006 18:02:57

Gecko

Posts: 218
Joined: Jan. 2 2006
From: New Mexico

RE: Import Duty - U.S.A (in reply to Gecko)

If all that's true and it probably is, then for me I've got to add about 15.2% (8.7% import duty & 6.5% state taxes) to the cost, plus S&I. That will put the cost of a "Plain Jane" 1A blanco at approximately $3918 U.S. at todays exchange rate, this includes an estimated amount for S&I. Interesting that state taxes would be assessed as they normally aren't for inter-state, Internet transactions. Customs must be collecting these on behalf of the various states.

Augggh!!!

I really don't see how shipping by DHL would legally avoid these charges. Aren't they just another common carrier like UPS or FedEX?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 23 2006 18:25:53

Patrick

Posts: 1189
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Portland, Oregon

RE: Import Duty - U.S.A (in reply to Gecko)

You might not have to pay State tax, but the duty is unavoidable. I have a Rafeal Romero negra due and expect to pay the duty.

This is one of those situations that we can rant and rave and get all upset about it, but when all is said and done, you still have to pay the man.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 23 2006 18:34:43

Gecko

Posts: 218
Joined: Jan. 2 2006
From: New Mexico

RE: Import Duty - U.S.A (in reply to Patrick)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Patrick

I believe it is 8.7% of declared value.

Patrick you're 100% correct.

I called Customs and they pointed me to The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of The United States, Section XVIII, Chapter 92, page 3. For guitars over $100 it is 8.7%. The agent that I spoke to said he knew nothing about collecting state taxes.

This is probably the 7-8% that Anders was referring to.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 23 2006 19:38:26

Patrick

Posts: 1189
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Portland, Oregon

RE: Import Duty - U.S.A (in reply to Gecko)

For those interested, we in the US do not have to pay duty on guitars coming from Canada or Mexico. Unfortunately, the US and Spain do not have a duty free agreement.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 23 2006 20:34:21

Francisco

Posts: 879
Joined: Jun. 13 2005
From: SW USA

RE: Import Duty - U.S.A (in reply to Gecko)

What a bummer. How are you coming up with your numbers, Gecko? You must be placing your order after the summer?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 23 2006 21:27:03

mentrida

Posts: 55
Joined: Jun. 19 2004

RE: Import Duty - U.S.A (in reply to Patrick)

Not sure about that Patrick. I purchased a guitar from Canada recently and had to pay the duty on it.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 23 2006 23:01:08

Patrick

Posts: 1189
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Portland, Oregon

RE: Import Duty - U.S.A (in reply to Gecko)

quote:

Not sure about that Patrick. I purchased a guitar from Canada recently and had to pay the duty on it.

I did not on mine. I paid 30 buck’s for customs, but no duty.

The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of The United States says Canada is exempt. You have to read the exceptions and then find the codes in a 400 plus page document. My guess is the Duty folks don't have a clue either.

Go to this site and look at Chapter 92, page 3. You will see the codes to the right that says "Free". You will see CA.

http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/bychapter/index.htm

Now go back to the main page and click on: GENERAL NOTES; GENERAL RULES OF INTERPRETATION. Go to page 7. It says CA stands for Canada, which is part of the North American Free Trade Agreement and is free of duty. But if it’s a leap year, it’s raining, it’s Tuesday and they don’t like you, you have to pay!

But what do I know, that’s just how “I “ interpret it.

You might be able to get some dough back.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 24 2006 0:21:32

Guest

[Deleted] (in reply to Gecko)

[Deleted by Admins]

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 24 2006 0:58:21

Patrick

Posts: 1189
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Portland, Oregon

RE: Import Duty - U.S.A (in reply to Gecko)

Neal

quote:

If the shipping, taxes, duty are adding up to over $400 - you should just get a cheap ticket fly down there, see the place and bring your guitar back yourself.

Neal,

You still have to pay duty to get it into the US

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 24 2006 3:13:36

Guest

RE: Import Duty - U.S.A (in reply to Gecko)

Yeah, the world is full of complications. Just remember that we, on the euro side of the big sea are also paying taxes, dutys vat or whatever it´s called on things comming from the US. Here in Spain its 17% and to this you add some extra costs etc, so that reality is around 20%.
that´s life

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 24 2006 7:14:33

Gecko

Posts: 218
Joined: Jan. 2 2006
From: New Mexico

RE: Import Duty - U.S.A (in reply to Francisco)

quote:

ORIGINAL: samwise

What a bummer. How are you coming up with your numbers, Gecko? You must be placing your order after the summer?

This is the way I do it:

Todays Exchange rate: 1 USD = 0.815 Euros

I figured it for two base prices, a "Plane Jane" Blanco, which I'll refer to as "PJ" (2300 euros) and a Blanco with some of the customation I may want done on it (2900 euros,estimated ) I'll refer to this one as "CB"

Base Prices: PJ 2300 euros = $2822 US, CB 2900 eruos = $3559 US.
Shipping: Approximately 260 euros = $319 US for either guitars.
Insurance (Approximately 2% of base): $56 for the PJ and $71 for the CB
Import Duties (8.7% of base): $246 for the PJ and $310 for the CB
My state tax (If assessed, is 6.5%): $149 for the PJ and $321 for the CB

Bottom Line:

PJ = $3592 US CB = $4580 US. Obviously for any base price between 2300 and 2900 euros the figures would have top be adjusted accordingly.

NOTE!!! This has nothing to do with Anders or his instruments and should not be construed as such it's just a fact of life!!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 24 2006 10:41:28

Guest

RE: Import Duty - U.S.A (in reply to Gecko)

Hi Gecko

This CB thing is interesting. You haven´t told me about that.

I´m quite sure you dont have to pay import duties AND state tax!!!!!, so please check this.

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 24 2006 15:29:53

Gecko

Posts: 218
Joined: Jan. 2 2006
From: New Mexico

RE: Import Duty - U.S.A (in reply to Guest)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Anders

Hi Gecko

This CB thing is interesting. You haven´t told me about that.

I´m quite sure you dont have to pay import duties AND state tax!!!!!, so please check this.

Just dreaming for the time being of several things I may eventually want to have done if possible and planning for any possible price increase(s) that could occur within the next 6 months or so.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 24 2006 16:12:45

Guest

RE: Import Duty - U.S.A (in reply to Gecko)

There wont be any price increases the next lets say 8 - 9 month.

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 25 2006 7:07:00

Ricardo

Posts: 14881
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Import Duty - U.S.A (in reply to Gecko)

quote:

Neal,

You still have to pay duty to get it into the US

Not if you don't declare it and carry it with you. If you get pulled asside and inspected, they will ask if you bought it in Spain during your trip. Just say no, you bought it used from a friend in the states, and wanted to bring it with you to Spain to take guitar lessons. They would have to go out of their way to investigate. I let the customs officer play a D chord on my Conde years ago.

Ricardo

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jan. 25 2006 16:51:07

veet

Posts: 231
Joined: Nov. 29 2004
From: L.A.

RE: Import Duty - U.S.A (in reply to Gecko)

Huh?
I bought a Bernal in Spain in 2002, brought it on the plane, declared it, and they said musical instruments are exempt from duty. Same with all the cd's and dvd's I bought over there. What's all the fuss?

Veet

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 14 2006 23:00:09

Escribano

Posts: 6417
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Import Duty - U.S.A (in reply to veet)

quote:

they said musical instruments are exempt from duty... What's all the fuss?

I would respectfully disagree with US Customs, and you got lucky

_____________________________

Foro Flamenco founder and Admin

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 14 2006 23:04:22

Patrick

Posts: 1189
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Portland, Oregon

RE: Import Duty - U.S.A (in reply to Gecko)

Indeed you did get lucky.

Ck with one of the US dealers that import from Spain and see what they have to say. Trust me it will be different from your experiance.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 15 2006 0:11:26

Francisco

Posts: 879
Joined: Jun. 13 2005
From: SW USA

RE: Import Duty - U.S.A (in reply to Gecko)

quote:

Ck with one of the US dealers that import from Spain and see what they have to say. Trust me it will be different from your experiance.

Can you elaborate on that, please?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 15 2006 9:27:20

Rain

Posts: 475
Joined: Jul. 7 2005

RE: Import Duty - U.S.A (in reply to Francisco)

I Purchased a classical guitar last year from the Austrailian guitar maker Jim Redgate, and I had to pay import duties in the U.S to DHL before it could be delivered to me. When ordering a guitar as I did, its best to tell the guitar maker or dealer to put a lesser value of the guitar on the mailing slip, to decrease the import tax.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 15 2006 13:22:52

Patrick

Posts: 1189
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Portland, Oregon

RE: Import Duty - U.S.A (in reply to Gecko)

quote:

Can you elaborate on that, please?

They have to pay the duty...period, or they get lucky and have a clueless customs agent.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 15 2006 15:05:00

Ricardo

Posts: 14881
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Import Duty - U.S.A (in reply to veet)

quote:

they said musical instruments are exempt from duty. Same with all the cd's and dvd's I bought over there.

LOL! Who is "they", the stewardess on the airline? US Citizens are exempt up to like $1000 depending. But unless all the stuff was under that amount, then you have to pay. If you said you spent 50 bucks on CDs etc, and 800 for the guitar, they will let you bring it w/out paying. How would they know what a guitar is worth w/out investigating? If you declared your guitar at 3000+, tell me, which state did you land in?

Ricardo

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 15 2006 17:42:07

Patrick

Posts: 1189
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Portland, Oregon

RE: Import Duty - U.S.A (in reply to Gecko)

This is right out of the code. My interpretation is "no free lunch". If it is valued up to $100 the rate is 4.5%. Over $100 value it is 8.7%

Other:
Guitars:

9202.90.20 00 Valued not over $100 each, excluding the value
of the case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5%

9202.90.40 00 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 8.7%

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Feb. 15 2006 20:49:22