Purchasing a Guitar from Europe to the USA (Full Version)

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theslawdawg -> Purchasing a Guitar from Europe to the USA (Jan. 18 2021 10:47:13)

Greetings,

If this has already been discussed (recently), my apologies.

What can I expect (in regards to costs) with purchasing a Flamenco guitar from Spain and having it shipped to the East Coast? I can either buy direct and deal with the fees (and really the process) on my own, or buy it through GSI (who have said they take care of everything).

I am just trying to get clarity on custom/import fees. I've never gone this route before.



Ricardo -> RE: Purchasing a Guitar from Europe to the USA (Jan. 18 2021 17:21:23)

I usually go with Dan Zeff in USA because he doesn’t inflate prices as much as GSI. As far as ordering from abroad, man the Pandemic has slowed USA postal service WAY down.



mt1007 -> RE: Purchasing a Guitar from Europe to the USA (Jan. 18 2021 18:50:01)

i've bought guitars direct from Spain, the luthiers i've bought from usually shipped via FedEx. if you use a carrier such as FedEx, UPS, DHL etc. they usually have customs at their terminals so importing is fast. if they are shipping via "Correos" it will come in via USPS. i think the big holdup is the invoice and stated value. also any "CITES" documentation. thats something you will have to work out with sender, if they are experienced the transaction will be smooth. the only reason i see from ordering a guitar from Spain is a custom new build from a desired maker with desired specs, if this is not the case and you are looking for a used instrument, i would try to find in the USA first. reverb.com and ebay.com are good starting points with histories sold for reference. reverb.com is especially good at this.



theslawdawg -> RE: Purchasing a Guitar from Europe to the USA (Jan. 18 2021 19:58:23)

Appreciate the replies.

I have had contact with GSI. They said the guitar gets sent to them, and then it gets sent to me, which in this case is annoying since they are on the West Coast, and I'm on the East Coast. That's a lot of traveling for that guitar. I will look into Dan Zeff and see what he's got in his inventory.

In regards to a direct purchase from the builder in Spain...they did suggest they could lower the stated value to help me with the fees, which I'll just leave it at that.

I am a long time member of both Reverb and eBay. I've seen some great guitars on both sites, but as a Flamenco newbie...I'm unsure of what is actually a deal (or good purchase).



Carlos_ffm -> RE: Purchasing a Guitar from Europe to the USA (Jan. 18 2021 21:01:13)

I would have a similar question, but when importing to the European Union, be it from the US or from the UK.

My concern is more with the administrative hassle on delivery, in relation to having to go pick the guitar at the custom office rather than having it delivered at home. I once received a package from Hong Kong and I had to go the custom to pay the fee, within a very limited time span otherwhise the object would be shipped back. I also do not trust the custom to store adequately the guitar (ie not close to a heater, etc)...can this be avoided for sure with the seller paying the custom duties while shipping the guitar?

I am also worried about the risk of having the package opened at the custom (with the guitar possibly damaged on that occasion).

I´ve never done this so would be happy with any experience you had in that respect.



etta -> RE: Purchasing a Guitar from Europe to the USA (Jan. 18 2021 22:33:56)

Ricardo gives some good advice here. Dan Zeff usually has a good inventory and he is good to work with, usually with fair prices too. If he does not have what you want, he may be able to locate it for you.



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