Hi,

I'm based in UK and thinking of buying a couple of vintage guitars from private sellers in the US.

Any tips on packing, best carriers, customs etc?

A few comments from an australian collector here: http://www.guitar-collector.org/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=143 but any other info gratefully received!

btw, I'm talking ~ $1,000 1970's guitars here, not super-rare or tens of thousands of bucks!.

Thanks,
Paul

_________________
Guitar Collector Forum | Guitar hand trainer | Play Power Chords
Guitar string FAQ | Compare Guitar Tuners

Hi Paul: in the UK? Then check out the customs charges before you purchase. You'll be amazed how they add up:

http://www.dhl.co.uk/publish/gb/en/info ... .high.html

Eye-watering, huh?

Once you've done your sums, perhaps consider shopping domestically instead. Here, for example:

http://www.vintageandrareguitars.com/

Not the advice you were looking for. But it might be useful even so...

Cheers - C

EDITED: to substitute a clearer customs charges webpage...

Heh... sorry I have nothing to add; I took a look at that reply you linked to, and I just wanted to say that the strict rules concerning wooden imports are just an Australian thing. Customs try to prevent any potential parasites, pests or otherwise offensive organisms making their way into the country inside wood, bone, horn, foodstuffs... anything organic, really. It's because Australia is isolated and our ecosystem has few defences against foreign organisms. I'd be surprised if you would have much trouble with a vintage guitar, but then you're not importing to Australia... Certainly it's a good idea to find out which local taxes and tariffs may be applicable to you. The U.K. has its fair share of strange ones -- don't you lot have a window tax ..? Now that's weird!

* oops, I see Ceri has stepped in with one of his always-useful posts... phew

Hi mondo - thanks for your concern, but in fact our window tax was done away with several hundred years ago. 'Mazing how these legends hang around, though!

Incidentally, regarding importing things from Australia, I'm here to tell anyone it concerns to buy their Dryzabone coats in the UK, not from the folks who'll offer to send them from Australia. They don't mention the import taxes on those coats - which sting!

Cheers - C

my... that is a persistent one, then. I can't even remember where I heard about it. We probably handed it down through the generations from the First Fleet. You're sure I can't tempt you with a Drizabone? how about an Akubra hat? Blundstones? I also have a Harbour Bridge, only slightly used...

Redpaul.

Be very careful mate. $1k is stupidly low for a 70's strat particularly in america where these things tend to go for higher prices than in britan.

That said the best way to import a vintage guitar is to fly out there, pay cash for it and fly it back yourself. I nearly got took for £1500 on a 57 strat. As soon as i mentioned pay cash and collect in person the seller got into excuses of 'oh its not worth you flying out, fedX are great' and 'i need the money before i go to america so put half the money in a girlfriends western union acc, email me the acc details. I'll send you the guitar then you pay the other half'.

Look out for things like that mate.

_________________
No no and no

That was a great thread, Niki. Do you happen to have a link for it? I had a quick search and can't put my finger on it at this second...

Cheers - C

Try and negotiate with the sellers to pay some of the shipping and all of the insurance.

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Hi Mondo: You can always tempt me with a Drizabone coat - I love 'em!



That one came with the hat and fleece lining, too.

Now I go striding across the landscape in it pretending to be Clint Eastwood in the Dollar films. Never too old to fantasise!

Cheers - C

PS Apologies to Red Paul for soaring way off topic...

Thanks guys... I particularly like the idea of flying out to collect in person - I hadn't thought of that! I guess if you found a cheap flight it could well be a better option then couriering the guitar and paying import duty!

I've bever flown with a guitar - are they likeley to be sympathetic and allow it as hand luggage? Any chance you'd still get charged import duty?

PS: Drizabone - I love the Floyd flying pig photo!

_________________
Guitar Collector Forum | Guitar hand trainer | Play Power Chords
Guitar string FAQ | Compare Guitar Tuners

You think that's wierd? In the Netherlands (Holland) they were taxed on the width of their buildings... go to Amsterdam and you'll see what effect that had.

_________________
Guitar Collector Forum | Guitar hand trainer | Play Power Chords
Guitar string FAQ | Compare Guitar Tuners

Hi Paul: yes, you'd still get charged duty even bringing it in under your arm. And don't even think about trying to tell them your vintage Strat is just a hundred pound copy: those guys in the green and red channels have heard it all.

Someone - was it Nikininja? - was saying he had a guitar waiting at customs for him to go back and pay £300 duty on it.

And carrying a cheap Squier out of the country in a case, dumping it and bringing a pricy one back in won't work either. It's all been tried!

Also: like the Ninja, I'm worried about that suspiciously small price you've been quoted. Maybe you know something that makes it OK - but take care! I finally tracked down Niki's thread where someone tried to sting him over a vintage guitar sale from another country. Have a stroll through this one...:

http://www.fender.com/community/forums/ ... hp?t=17389

Cheers - C

PS: the Floyd-pig pic was for the Forum T-shirt thread. There came a moment when I was printing out a photo of a pig, gluing it to card, carefully cutting it out and fixing cotton to hang it by... that I asked myself; "am I getting a bit carried away with this?"

D'oh!!
But it wasn't me that said it was a Strat!

_________________
Guitar Collector Forum | Guitar hand trainer | Play Power Chords
Guitar string FAQ | Compare Guitar Tuners

...Er... No, you didn't...

My turn to say



Cheers - C