Bringing a guitar back from the US

clancywigam

Hi,

I am looking into buying a Fender American Delux Strat in New York and bringing it home. It will cost a hell of a lot less than buying it here in Dublin, plus I get to spend a couple of days in NY.

What are the chances of getting nabbed coming through customs in Dublin with my shiny new purchase? I have heard various bits of advice - buy an old case, cover the new case in stickers, bring a case with you.....

So.... anyone got any advice?

Voodu Child

clancywigam wrote:

So.... anyone got any advice?

Do what ya gotta do, but don't ask for advice on breaking the law on boards.ie

clancywigam

Gotch

Royale with Cheese

My Dad brought back a bass for me from the US about 4 years ago. Just stuck it in a gig bag and brought it on the plane with him. Picked it up and walked off the plane.

They were doing random customs checks getting off the plane and the person in front of him got stopped and he was let go, do I suppose it's possible you'll get snagged for it.

bombidol

Brought back multiple guitars in the past, not stopped once.

Quattroste

Brought back a Strat and was stopped! Had to pay the tax and import duty on the Guitar and then the same again for trying to get away with it since I didn't go though the "Items to declare" channel. Some get by and some don't.

Malice

I brought a Fender strat through Shannon back in Oct 2000 and had no trouble. Mind you, this was before the Twin Towers attack so airport security was nowhere near as tight. I had bought a new case and had been advised to beat it up a little but I couldn't bring myself to do that!

A security guy approached me in the airport but I said I had brought the guitar over with me to the USA from Ireland to play music with. He accepted that and off I went. I also posted the receipts and stuff to my home address from Boston before I flew home just to be on the safe side.

I also brought an acoustic guitar home on another trip. Same thing happened but if you're bringing an acoustic back, try to either bring it as carry-on or pad the case as much as possible to avoid bumps from the baggage-handlers.

Yakult

I think its right b/s that you cant buy a guitar without having to pay the rip off tax when entering this country...

But do what malice did with the receipts! post them away!

Malice

Quattroste wrote:

Brought back a Strat and was stopped! Had to pay the tax and import duty on the Guitar and then the same again for trying to get away with it since I didn't go though the "Items to declare" channel.

What exactly happened? It's been a while since I did it but isn't it up to the authorities to prove that the guitar was being imported and if you simply said it wasn't wouldn't it be your word against theirs. At that point, would they be bothered to chase you up?

I think its right b/s that you cant buy a guitar without having to pay the rip off tax when entering this country...

I think it's more frustrating when you see the prices being charged by some guitar shops in Ireland versus the prices quoted by online retailers. Even when you factor in shipping and currency conversion you can still save quite a bit. Of course that's a completely separate topic

Kenny_D

If I remember correctly, quatro had the receipts or manuals in his suitcase which was checked

Johnny Storm

R_H_C_P wrote:

I think its right b/s that you cant buy a guitar without having to pay the rip off tax when entering this country...

You so right!

FWIW this has been discussed several times in the last couple of years when there was a more relaxed attitude to "this kind of thing" so try doing a search.

Quattroste

They searched my bag aswell and found the receipts. I guess i could have been better prepared to try to get away with it.

Fingers Mcginty

get the real early sun morning flight

punchdrunk

you can make it easier for yourself! ask for the demo model thats been played a bit (not bet obviously) see if they'll give you the hardcase thats got a few scrapes,bit o'dust on it! post home the manuals and receipts before you get to the airport

Michael Collins

Not too familiar with guitar prices, but if it's less than €170 you don't pay any tax or import duty on items brought into Ireland on your person. There was talk of raising this to €500 a while back but alas, I think it dropped off the agenda.

feylya

This thread is talking about breaking the law.

Bottom line - OP, if you bring back a guitar, declare your instrument and pay the tax. To do otherwise is tax avoidance.