Anyone Ever Shipped an Archtop to Europe?

[Paulie2]

Specifically Germany? Any thing to know, look out for, etc?

[ArchieHollow]

Not to Europe, but--
Be certain to package it in shock-resistant case or reinforced plywood box, fully cushioned so instrument can't move around in any direction and soft enough material so blunt shock cannot harm body, neck and headstock. If you were to throw it at a wall on any point your guitar would still be protected.
That's what I did to ship my beloved arch top cross-country from California to Massachusetts. Cost less than $300 total.

[Paulie2]

Thanks!! I have a lot of experience packing and shipping domestically. Really hoping for insight on customs issues or anything involved with international.

Just did a quick price check and it came to almost a grand!

[garybaldy]

Ensure correct CITES documents go with it or the recipient may never see it.

[andrew]

There has been some recent relaxing of the CITES rules regarding shipping "finished" musical instruments from the USA to the EU for all things except Brazilian rosewood. If you do have that, there is a special form that needs to be filled out which costs $100 and takes 45-60 days to process. Also, there is certain criteria that must be met: the instrument must be older than 1992, the buyer has to be a private individual (not a store), and the buyer has to agree to NEVER sell the instrument again (I'm not sure how they enforce that).

[Question]

@Paulie2

I was very interested in buying your Buscarino and we discussed it per private messages.

The costs, complications and risk were just too high.

I am also in Germany, and just to be sure that the buyer is aware, that apart from the shipping there will be about 26% import fees.

19% VAT 3.5% duty and 2% import tax. (roughly) They even add the shipping fees to the overall value for the tax calculation!

Don't even think about sending it with a lower declared value, the Germany customs knows all the tricks and will add a fine on top. Don't ask me how I know that.

I don't know how strict the CITES rules are, but I would inquire before you send it.

Hope that helps!

[garybaldy]

There has been some recent relaxing of the CITES rules regarding shipping "finished" musical instruments from the USA to the EU for all things except Brazilian rosewood. If you do have that, there is a special form that needs to be filled out which costs $100 and takes 45-60 days to process. Also, there is certain criteria that must be met: the instrument must be older than 1992, the buyer has to be a private individual (not a store), and the buyer has to agree to NEVER sell the instrument again (I'm not sure how they enforce that).

It seems very complicated with a degree of uncertainty. I'm in the UK and it makes me very apprehensive about purchasing guitars from abroad.

[Bill C]

I’m in the UK and have imported a few guitars from the US over the years. This was before the UK left the EU, and things may have changed …

If I recall correctly …

The seller needs to value the instrument honestly on the customs forms, as noted in a previous post.
As a UK buyer I paid …
* UK government’s import tariffs - a few per cent when I did this
* UK government’s taxes - ie VAT at the current standard rate, so currently 20%
* the delivering courier’s charges for collecting the import tariffs and taxes - not much, but a final blow to the wallet

I *think* all the above are levied on what you paid for the guitar, plus what you paid for the shipping/shipping insurance.

My imports pre-dated the CITES requirements I think.

It all sounds horribly complicated, but if buyer and seller are happy with a little form filling, the seller packs properly, and the buyer understands the expected charges it’s probably going to work out ok - ymmv!

[benhatchins]

Sending an archtop across the ocean is always nerve-wracking, but totally doable with enough prep. A hard case inside a heavy-duty shipping box with padding is the way to go. Somewhere in the middle of researching, I read about someone who actually shipped through delta airlines airlines.pissedconsumer.com/review.html cargo and had good results. Customs paperwork can be tricky, so don’t skip the fine print. As long as you insure it and document the condition, you’ll be fine.

[garybaldy]

I’m in the UK and have imported a few guitars from the US over the years. This was before the UK left the EU, and things may have changed …

If I recall correctly …

The seller needs to value the instrument honestly on the customs forms, as noted in a previous post.
As a UK buyer I paid …
* UK government’s import tariffs - a few per cent when I did this
* UK government’s taxes - ie VAT at the current standard rate, so currently 20%
* the delivering courier’s charges for collecting the import tariffs and taxes - not much, but a final blow to the wallet

I *think* all the above are levied on what you paid for the guitar, plus what you paid for the shipping/shipping insurance.

My imports pre-dated the CITES requirements I think.

It all sounds horribly complicated, but if buyer and seller are happy with a little form filling, the seller packs properly, and the buyer understands the expected charges it’s probably going to work out ok - ymmv!

'My imports pre-dated the CITES requirements I think.'
What does this mean please? TIA
ps I know CITES is about endangered species thanks