Import duty on guitar from USA?

Debthree · 22-09-2011 10:02am #1

I'm wondering if anyone could help me find an approximate figure for import duty?

The guitar costs 697 euro (it's a U.S. site but they've given the price in euro). Shipping is free. It's a classical guitar, if that makes any difference.

It's a good price but I'm befuddled by the import duty rates.

jor el · 22-09-2011 10:07am

http://www.dutycalculator.com/

It's mainly VAT, at 21%.

Old_-_School · 22-09-2011 11:51am

When they say "value", is that what you actually paid for it (including shipping)?
Or is it what it's value actually is when you add in any discounts e.g. if I bought something from the US where there was a 50% off sale and it cost €500, do they then say that the value was actually €1000 and charge the VAT and customs duty based on the figure of €1000?

coylemj · 22-09-2011 2:54pm

Don't let them convert dollars to euros, you will do much better with the credit card rate so pay them in their own currency and let the credit card company do the conversion.

Elysian · 22-09-2011 2:59pm

Old_-_School wrote: »

When they say "value", is that what you actually paid for it (including shipping)?
Or is it what it's value actually is when you add in any discounts e.g. if I bought something from the US where there was a 50% off sale and it cost €500, do they then say that the value was actually €1000 and charge the VAT and customs duty based on the figure of €1000?

You'll pay vat on the shipping cost and the actual cost you spent on the guitar so in your above example you would be paying vat on €500 + shipping.

exaisle · 22-09-2011 3:10pm

...and if you pay by paypal, the customs will want to see your paypal receipt so they can work out the full cost...

jor el · 22-09-2011 3:25pm

Doesn't matter how you pay, they'll still ask for your invoice. Whatever you paid will be what is used to calculate the VAT. The price of shipping will be included, whether it's free or not. Free shipping just means they build the cost into the item price. VAT will apply to the full shipping cost, which the shipping agent will provide.

In general, allow for 30% to be added. In this case that would be about €210.

dudara · 22-09-2011 6:39pm

Moved to Online Buying & Auctions

dudara

Debthree · 22-09-2011 11:32pm

Thanks a million for the replies! I really appreciate it.

Import duty on guitar from USA?

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