I bought a German HG about 5 years ago, which was shipped to me. Although I had to go through customs to pick it up, I didn't have to pay duties on the instrument.
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Arle Lommel Sent: Friday, September 19, 2008 2:03 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [HG] Import duties on instruments coming into the U.S. I have a pretty arcane question for non-U.S. makers who send instruments to the U.S. Do you know if, per chapter 92 of the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (2004), what customs fees are due on hurdy-gurdies? It looks like they are dutiable at 4.6% (item 9202.90.60), while bagpipes are not dutiable. I'm trying to be armed when I bring some instruments into the U.S. to be able to claim that the duty rate is lower than the general 10% if I am challenged on anything. Perhaps another way of asking is if your U.S. customers ever end up paying import duties on what you send them. Any advice would be welcome. -Arle
