Bringing New Guitar Home From The States

Hornswoggle

I have just bought a new strat in the states and will be flying home to Dublin this weekend, but would really appreciate some advice from people who have done this before. Firstly, What is the best way to go about checking in a guitar with Aer lingus on a transatlantic flight and how much does it cost? I would try take it onboard as hand luggage, but it's in a hard case. Also, what is the best way to pack the guitar (I.e wrap it in pillows, bubble wrap etc.) cheers

darrenw5094

I flew home with Ryan Air from Germany recently. Detune the strings, the guitar in the hardcase should be fine. But it is not hand luggage. Mine went as a musical intrument at a cost of €50. But Aer Lingus could be different.

damonjewel

I flew to switzerland with my guitar using aer lingus, they charged me the normal baggage rate and I just had to check it into the oversize baggage place. They won't let it on board as hand luggage as far as I know. Your Guitar in the hard case should be fine, I wrapped some tshirts around the neck and body.

I'd be more worried about customs and VAT.

darrenw5094

damonjewel wrote: »

I'd be more worried about customs and VAT.

I was going to say that, but i never heard anyone getting stung at the airport for a guitar.

Nozebleed

if asked the value of the goods. just say €100 max. make sure no receipts are in the case! if they decide to have a look and find a receipt for 1K. you'll pay vat/tax.


but you should be fine..i've had friends bring expensive guitars home without any hastle.

darrenw5094

Few stickers in the case might help.

Morf

I'm pretty sure instructing people how to avoid vat and customs is frowned upon here.

darrenw5094

Morf wrote: »

I'm pretty sure instructing people how to avoid vat and customs is frowned upon here.

<-Frown to the left.

Parsley

darrenw5094 wrote: »

Detune the strings, the guitar in the hardcase should be fine.

i think i remember reading before that this is actually a silly practice...

loldrg

Parsley wrote: »

i think i remember reading before that this is actually a silly practice...

Planes are cold places in the luggage compartment, this means the strings contract, and can damage the next (or truss rod, or at least make it require a setup by a guitar tech). I mightn't be too worried about it for a guitar though, however it was a bass I would as the strings are heavier. Still not worth the risk on any instrument I'd say, loosen them til you can nearly just take them off. Scuff your case, slap stickers on it. Customs shouldn't care if it's 1 guitar anyway. To be safe, remove all tags etc from the case and guitar, put them in your luggage if you want to keep them. I brought my P-bass back from the states a few years ago, Aer Lingus let me bring it on as hand luggage and they stored it up the top of the plane (the case and instrument were thoroughly inspected first though). Someone I was with brought a Rickenbacker back too, same deal as me, got it on as hand luggage no problem. Things may have changed though.

Hornswoggle

Thanks for the advice lads, got her home safely with no trouble!