buying a guitar off music123.com

Creamy Goodness · 26-06-2004 2:47pm #1

hey i'm gonna buy this guitar in a few weeks here and was just wondering is there anyway of beating customs duty?

i have a brother in the states that i could get it sent to...
could he then UPS it to me as a gift and hence not be done for customs?

feylya · 26-06-2004 4:51pm

Before you order, talk to Doctor J about his music123 experiences.

Digi_Tilmitt · 27-06-2004 6:04pm

My dad did something like that. He bought a guitar, had it sent to my uncle. Then went over on a holiday there and picked it up and just brought it back himself. But i'm sure the gift sending would do the same job and avoid customs.

eth0_ · 27-06-2004 6:13pm

Originally posted by Digi_Tilmitt
But i'm sure the gift sending would do the same job and avoid customs.

It doesn't. This is a common misconception and I really wish people would stop spreading it. It doesn't matter if the parcel is marked 'gift' or 'sample', it can still be picked out randomly to be checked and have customs charges applied. That's all that happens, the items are just picked at random and the customs department can slap charges on any item, they don't care if it's a gift.

voxpop · 27-06-2004 6:25pm

if its declared value is less than 45e (i think) and its marked as a gift - its is supposed to be excempt according to revenue.ie other than that your gonna get charged.

Maybe if it doesnt look like you just bought it - eg no invoice/reciepts etc then maybe you have a chance.

As for buying from music123.com - I was gonna do that but didnt after doctor J story, instead I got a mate of mine to walk into a guitar shop in New York and pick up the guitar there - it only cost an extra few quid more than music123 plus he got to check it out before the money changed hands.

Creamy Goodness · 27-06-2004 6:56pm

aye i think it's worth a bit more than 45 euros lol.

i might see if one of the shops here could order it in... (i ****ing doubt it)

buying a guitar off music123.com

Comments