>It depends on a lot of things. If it is sent regular mail, probably not, though you are technically responible for it. If it goes UPS, FedEx, etc, they have their own customs broker and you sometimes get a bill in the mail for duty.
Believe it or not, some states in the US now have User Tax, and that would be on top of the Federal duty if levied. You are technically repsonsible for User Tax. Crikey, it is VAT!!!! In the Colonies! For example, my Baroque Organ was levied 8 percent State tax, even though it is from out of State, (the Netherlands is way outta state) which is a big chunk on a $40,000 intrument. I suspect there is an automatic flag on value, but it is just a suspicion. Anyway, numerous experiments suggest that parcel post is the way to go. YMMV Technically, you are also responsible in the US for duty on the case, though this is rarely assessed. This is a higher rate, typically %14, so try to get the package deal. If you call it a guitar, as opposed to a string instrument, there is also a small difference in the rate. You can call customs and ask which of the instrument groups is lowest. If you send the instrument by air fright direct, which I often do with my Theorbo collection, you hafta go bail it out and "self clear" at the customs house near the airport. Usually takes an hour and is not rocket science. You can hire a customs broker to clear it for you. You will definitely pay duty, plus a big fat fee for the broker's cigar collection. Make sure that the invoice does not mention rosewood, etc. All my instruments are made from renewable sources that have the proper paperwork for the wood for travel purposes. However, certain words will be immediately flagged by computer now, even if you have the docs to prove it PC. Your instrument will then be held by customs, Rarely, but happens. Brazil may be even stricter in this regard. You don't need certification normally for travel, but every now and then it can be a problem. Many luthiers ship the instrument in its case swathed in bubble wrap. This usually works pretty well. May sure the paperwork is firmly affixed to the wrap--it is tough to stick it on there. If it falls off, there will be a problem. I always request bubble wrap, then a plain cardboard box. I don'y know if this is better, but it is neater. dt >So if I get charged duty, do I have to go down to the customs office in (in >my case) Boston to pick it up? > >Jim > >On 7/19/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > If it's over a certain amount, you will be charged import duty in the US. > > When mine came they charged me based on the insured value listed on the > > shipping documents. I got this lowered when I sent them proof that the > > purchase price was less than that. Something to keep in mind. > > > > If I remember it was about 3%, but that was awhile ago... > > > > Rob > > > > > > On 7/19/07, Jim Abraham <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > > Hi All, > > > > > > I have been informed by Luciano Faria, my luthier in Brazil, that my > > > lute > > > shipped yesterday. Does anyone know if I will have to pay import duty? > > > Does > > > it just show up on my doorstep? > > > > > > Jim > > > > > > -- > > > > > > To get on or off this list see list information at > > > http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html > > > <http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/%7Ewbc/lute-admin/index.html> > > > > > > > > >--
