Buying in the States while being in Europe

[Blues&BebopFan]

Dear all,

I hope everyone is fine and living the best guild life.

A question for the fellow european friends, did any of you have already bought a guitar in the states for delivery to a European address ? I was just wondering how it is, if you have any recomandations and what are the mistakes to avoid. Being broke i'm also wondering if it's cheaper or not, knowing the cross-border taxes can quickly increase.
I'm curious to hear about your experience!

 

[SFIV1967]

It's running smooth. I got guitars within a few days from US to Germany. But you have to pay the VAT of the country you are in (21% in Belgium) and you have to pay a musical instrument tax of something like 2 to 3%, that value also might depend on the country you are in. (Belgium charges 3,7% tax on electric guitars as example). Means your total cost after converting from $ to EUR plus freight cost is multiplied by 1,247.
Either you have to pick up the shipment from a local customs point or the freight forwarder sends you the invoice. Depends on the freight forwarder. And all taxes go on top of the price of instrument including the total shipping cost. And customs is smart enough asking for a receipt or bank acount statement if the price seems to be too low. Actually the freight forwarders also ask for that to process the customs declarations. So asking the seller to declare a lower value for customs does not fly, actually if they catch you the fine is high. Customs is using the internet as well, so they check the ebay or shop history to see if the price matches. At least in Germany that is my experience.

Ralf

 

[Walter Broes]

I've done it plenty. Vintage American made guitars used to be a lot cheaper in the US than in Europe, but the difference is getting smaller every day.

Shipping has also gotten crazy expensive compared to even a few years ago. And like Ralf says above - there's VAT and import charges, and for some moronic reason, you don't only pay VAT on the price of the guitar - you pay the same percentage on....the shipping!
Realistically speaking, you have to add about 35% to the total amount (price of the guitar + shipping).

I've imported quite a few guitars from the US, and so far, I've gotten lucky and none of them were damaged- even though not all of them were packed all that great.

 

[Blues&BebopFan]

Thank you @Walter Broes & @SFIV1967 for taking the time to answer me.
It's really helpful to read all of this! Especially with the concret numbers, thank you so much!
I guess my main concern would be about the packaging, it has always been a point of anxiety to buy from the US because of the shipment. I've read so many stories of people unpacking their beautiful dream instrument and it's completely wrecked.. Gives me hope to read that it went well for you!

 

[krysh]

+1 for Walter and Ralf.

 

[SFIV1967]

I've read so many stories of people unpacking their beautiful dream instrument and it's completely wrecked.

I have to add that I always bought from reputated stores in the US, not private to me unkown sellers. If those stores are willing to export they usually know how to package an item in the best possible way. They would loose reputation quickly if people post damaged instruments that came from them, the internet age can be brutal with bad reputation I think.
However I also bought via Reverb and ebay in Europe from private sellers and so far was lucky that those sellers were musicians who also valued the guitars and knew how to package a guitar.
So do your homework, find out who the seller is, look up the web about that seller and so on.

Ralf

 

[chazmo]

These days, I wonder if you bought an airplane seat and took the guitar on board if it'd be a reasonable comparison to shipping... I know I'm flying round trip across the US for $225 next month. If I wanted to buy a guitar in California, I'd consider doing that.

Anyway, good luck Fan! Like Ralf said, it's probably best to go thorugh (or employ) a reputable shop in the US to get the job done right.

 

[Blues&BebopFan]

I have to add that I always bought from reputated stores in the US, not private to me unkown sellers. If those stores are willing to export they usually know how to package an item in the best possible way. They would loose reputation quickly if people post damaged instruments that came from them, the internet age can be brutal with bad reputation I think.
However I also bought via Reverb and ebay in Europe from private sellers and so far was lucky that those sellers were musicians who also valued the guitars and knew how to package a guitar.
So do your homework, find out who the seller is, look up the web about that seller and so on.

Ralf

thanks for your reply! You're right! Glad to hear about your experience

 

[Blues&BebopFan]

These days, I wonder if you bought an airplane seat and took the guitar on board if it'd be a reasonable comparison to shipping... I know I'm flying round trip across the US for $225 next month. If I wanted to buy a guitar in California, I'd consider doing that.

Anyway, good luck Fan! Like Ralf said, it's probably best to go thorugh (or employ) a reputable shop in the US to get the job done right.

any eyes on something ? Do you have some good addresses to share ? I've heard some of the best shop in the US are located in California

 

[wileypickett]

I have a friend in Spain who, before the pandemic, flew to the U.S. every year or two, bought two or three guitars and brought them back home. One guitar is to keep; the other two are to sell. He typically makes enough to cover his flights over and back, his excess baggage charges, AND all / most of the cost of the keeper guitar.

Saves him shipping costs; he gets to inspect the guitars in person; and they're safer (at least so far) traveling with him on the plane.

 

[chazmo]

any eyes on something ? Do you have some good addresses to share ? I've heard some of the best shop in the US are located in California

No, nothing. And not much to offer... Just thinking out loud.

As far as places to use... Yes, quite a few great places to help on the west coast. Here on the east coast, this place, in Lexington Massachusetts, handles a lot of high-end acoustics and would probably help with the transaction.. I don't know.

The Music Emporium

Boston's premier guitar store, specializing in boutique and vintage acoustic & electric guitars, mandolins, banjos, and ukuleles. Established in 1968.

themusicemporium.com

Also, there a dozen or so great music stores in the metro New York City area that I'm sure would help. Our CT/NY/NJ-based members can surely point you in the right direction.

 

[Walter Broes]

These days, I wonder if you bought an airplane seat and took the guitar on board if it'd be a reasonable comparison to shipping... I know I'm flying round trip across the US for $225 next month. If I wanted to buy a guitar in California, I'd consider doing that.

Anyway, good luck Fan! Like Ralf said, it's probably best to go thorugh (or employ) a reputable shop in the US to get the job done right.

A flight from Europe to almost anywhere in the US is close to or over a thousand Euros these days. You could perhaps get a flight to NYC for half that if you really search long and hard, but NYC guitar prices make that less interesting..

 

[chazmo]

A flight from Europe to almost anywhere in the US is close to or over a thousand Euros these days. You could perhaps get a flight to NYC for half that if you really search long and hard, but NYC guitar prices make that less interesting..

Fair enough, Walter. Maybe when one of us is traveling to Europe it could be done. Anyway, just a thought!

 

[krysh]

In germany if you import instruments personally by plane, you still have to declare them and if they are worth more than 300€ you will have to pay taxes and customs in the same percentage Ralf has mentioned before.

 

[Walter Broes]

In germany if you import instruments personally by plane, you still have to declare them and if they are worth more than 300€ you will have to pay taxes and customs in the same percentage Ralf has mentioned before.

yep, same here. If/when customs is exceptionally busy or lazy you might get away with not declaring/paying though.

 

[Blues&BebopFan]

@chazmo thanks for taking the time to answer me! Nice shop the Music Emporium!
Also, if you ever consider visiting Belgium and drinking the best beers you will have in your life (I promise) I'll gladly show you Brussels!

@Walter Broes I heard you can find good deals to fly to the US if you leave from other countries, I have a acquaintance who always leaves from Barcelona or somewhere in Germany

 

[SFIV1967]

I've heard some of the best shop in the US are located in California

Yes, there are some good in the Silicon Valley area like Gryphon but there are so many others in the US...
Great stores in my experience are for instance Emerald City Guitars in Seattle, Maple Street Guitars in Atlanta, G-Brat's Guitars in Midlothian, Texas, Beat Street Music in Manlius, NY,...

But also check out stores in Europe like Halkan's Rock House in Stockholm, Centro Chitarre in Napoli, Italy, Regent Sound in Denmark Street, London,...

I bought from all of them and always had a good experience. A few stores I bought from in the past like in Texas don't exist anymore unfortunatelly.

Ralf

 

[Blues&BebopFan]

@SFIV1967 Thank you for your reply ! I added each website you kindly suggested to my list.
Have a wonderful evening