Import tax on Musical Instrument bought from America

damnnargles

Hi, I was wondering if anybody out there can help me, I want to buy a new drum kit from America and I was wondering if anyone can explain what kind of levies or surcharges I face upon shipping it to Ireland? I've checked revenue.ie but it makes as much sense as re electing Fianna Fail. I really want this kit but I have a feeling because of the impending charges that I'll have to buy something locally I hope someone can help, it would be much appreciated.

JayMul

If you have a friend/relative in America you could get them to post it as a gift with no price on it. For insurance purposes you might need to have the price registered though.

3DataModem

Asked all the time.

Some excellent info here; http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055862554

Crasp

I brought a fender in from Japan 2/3 years ago.


Basically you are looking at

1) VAT at irish rates of 23%

2) EU import tax. Not sure what this figure is, but I believe it is also a percentage of the product value.


3) Irish customs charge. I think this was about €5 for me.



So it depends on what you're buying. Tama rockstar mightn't be too bad.... pearl masterworks on the other hand....



Thomann.de really is the cheapest way to go, unless you fly to the US yourself

(I brought back a full set of Zildjian A custom cymbals for about $1000 dollars in 2006. They averaged about €150-200 each, unlike at home where they averaged about €300 at the time. I just took my cymbal bag as hand luggage).

watty

JayMul wrote: »

If you have a friend/relative in America you could get them to post it as a gift with no price on it. For insurance purposes you might need to have the price registered though.

Customs will assign a value if you don't have an invoice. Too much Hong Kong & Chinese stuff marked Gift.

slimjimmc

You'll be taxed on the shipping costs as well as the purchase cost too. I imagine the shipping costs for a drum kit would be fairly substantial.

jor el

JayMul wrote: »

If you have a friend/relative in America you could get them to post it as a gift with no price on it. For insurance purposes you might need to have the price registered though.

Advising someone to commit tax fraud is hardly an appropriate response. Marking it as gift doesn't exempt you anyway, as customs officials can assign a value to it themselves.

dudara

Moved to Online Buying & Auctions

dudara

Savman

Crasp wrote: »

I brought a fender in from Japan 2/3 years ago.


Basically you are looking at

1) VAT at irish rates of 23%

Incorrect. Irish VAT is 21%.

Mollymawk

Hi Crasp,

I bought a musical instrument from the States 3 years ago. It was valued at €300, and the duty came to about €60, if I remember correctly. I had to pay that to the postman before he could hand over the parcel. I still felt I had got a fantastic deal. But mine was a violin with case, and postage cost about €40. Have you checked what postage on a drumkit will bring the price up to?
Crasp is right, - thomann.de is a great option, and because it's German-based the VAT is covered. I know a good few people who have used them.

Crasp

Savman wrote: »

Incorrect. Irish VAT is 21%.

my bad dude, thought I read somewhere it was going up in the budget.

Savman

Crasp wrote: »

my bad dude, thought I read somewhere it was going up in the budget.

23% by 2014. Lovely :rolleyes: