Any Aussie's here who've bought from the US?

[DreamyGuitar]

Hi guys,

Thought I'd ask here as I'm looking at getting an L03r from the US and was wondering if any fellow Australians had been down this road before?

Am interested in what sort of duty etc I'll be up for? 

Was having an email exchange with one of the local shops about the high price of certain brands down here and they mentioned I'd be up for something called "instrument tax" ...ever heard of this one before?

Apparently if I can keep it below $1000 AU then I can avoid duty altogether...but I need to look into that in more detail.

Cheers

[balanwood]

Hi Dreamy,

I've bought a couple of guitars from the US and Japan over the years. Always electric though - I prefer to play my acoustics before I buy. That said there's a bit of a difference in price between the US and Aus!

From memory you get hit with the currency conversion (USD to AUD), shipping (can be upwards of 2 - 300 USD), 10% GST on the price of the instrument, 10% GST on shipping - and associated paperwork costs. Best to call customs for the exact charges but this should be a guide.

There are a number of reasons we pay more for various brands - but I'm sure there's some retail margin that can be absorbed!

cheers,

Bruce

[ozziebluesman]

Hey Dreamy,

I looked into buying a Larrivee from the US. I live in Australia. A L-03 was $xxx US and $250 US shipping. You then pay import duty of 5% of your total guitar cost and GST which is another 10% on top. That was from Elderly and they didn't have any in stock. Delivery date, unknown. Buffalo Guitars had the new L-03 sapely for about $xxx US and their shipping charge was $450 US. I gave up on that idea.

I was lucky enough to score a near new Larrivee L-03 last week on eBay for a good price.

Good luck in your hunt.

They are excellent guitars.

Cheers

Ozzie 

[DreamyGuitar]

Thanks Bruce and Ozzie,

Did you guys  ever come across an "instrument tax" ?

Am gonna ring customs tomorrow and find out exactly what the rules are for purchases under AU 1k.  Good exchange rates at the moment and some real good prices from the US.

Bit of a risk (as Bruce mentioned) ... in that I also wouldn't normally buy an acoustic without playing it first...but spent a few hours yesterday playing my friends L03r and it's got me hooked :-) ...plus there are some good US retailers recommended here who will set it up prior to shipment. I think it's worth the risk.

Congrats on the L-03 Ozzie...think I saw that one, but I'm hanging out for Rosewood.

Cheers,


PS bit of a funny story...went to look at a used guitar the other day advertised as in mint condition and had been into the guys "Luthier" for a setup and service (or something)...when I picked it up, the pickup connector fell out of the bottom of the guitar and the strings on it were older than me...maybe he meant that he'd given it to his friend "Luther" to look at.  needless to say..I'm still looking :-)

[lx384]

Hey mate
I'm also looking to buy a Larrivee from the US and ship to Australia. The prices here are CRAZY seriously.
Whereabouts are you from? I'm in Brissy. Care to share the details you've found about shipping a guitar from US to Aus?

[DreamyGuitar]

No worries.

All I know for sure right now is that purchases with a value of AU1k (or over) will attract all of the taxes Bruce mentions above.

Am going to call Fedex today to see what they have to say about items under 1k. Will let you know what I discover.

Cheers

[Leeplaysblues]

I buy from the USA all the time and have bought in about 15 guitars over the last 2 years.

Firstly, you pay the base  price for the guitar then add shipping (US$190 via Elderly is the average) but if you use USPS Express Post it is about US$150 fully insured.

The duty payable on musical instruments is 5% of the base price.

Australian Customs formula is ((the declared value of the  guitar +5% )+ shipping charges) X $AU exchange rate) x 110% GST

No real drama shipping as customs processes are streamlined and if you opt for UPS or Fed EX they do the brokerage for you.

If the guitar is below AU$1200 no duty or customs hassels

Time waiting for the guitar is 4-10 days and the savings over the local cost are up to 35%

[DreamyGuitar]

I buy from the USA all the time and have bought in about 15 guitars over the last 2 years.

Firstly, you pay the base  price for the guitar then add shipping (US$190 via Elderly is the average) but if you use USPS Express Post it is about US$150 fully insured.

The duty payable on musical instruments is 5% of the base price.

Australian Customs formula is ((the declared value of the  guitar +5% )+ shipping charges) X $AU exchange rate) x 110% GST

No real drama shipping as customs processes are streamlined and if you opt for UPS or Fed EX they do the brokerage for you.

If the guitar is below AU$1200 no duty or customs hassels

Time waiting for the guitar is 4-10 days and the savings over the local cost are up to 35%

Great, thanks Lee,

I rang customs today and they told me the limit was $1000au and didn't mention the 5% on the musical instrument !

So if I have the choice of USPS Express Post and my guitar is less than $1000 au that would be the simplest and cheapest route?

Cheers

[Leeplaysblues]

Great, thanks Lee,

I rang customs today and they told me the limit was $1000au and didn't mention the 5% on the musical instrument !

So if I have the choice of USPS Express Post and my guitar is less than $1000 au that would be the simplest and cheapest route?

Cheers

Yes, USPS is the best for under about AU1,300 as customs tend to let packages through if the duty is too small to worry about.  Over that and it is better to negotiate UPS/FedEx/DHL as they take care of the brokerage.  Some EBay vendors will give you a good price on these couriers as does Elderly music.  Also email Elderly for a price it is usually way below the advertised price on thier site and UPS shipping is capped at $190. 

[DreamyGuitar]

Thx Lee, much appreciated.

[DreamyGuitar]

Hi Lee,

Apparently USPS is not an option because the Larrivee box exceeds their shipment size limits.

So was wondering...if Fedex is being used to ship the guitar...does the cost of shipment include brokerage or do I have to pay that at this end?

Cheers

[lx384]

I went to check Elderly prices for Larrivees but they can't match Notable Guitar's. Any reason why you choose Elderly instead of Notable?

[TrinityGuitars]

Any info on shipping would be great. USPO is out. The size is to big. New postal rates took them out with a change in the max size. There is a document service that will accept the size ( box cut by 1" ) but I have not been able to get the Post to accept this for a guitar. HELP Please
Jim Holler

[guitaradoptions]

Size Limits - Priority Mail International
The following size limits apply to rectangular Priority Mail International packages sent to most destination countries:

Minimum length and width:  5-1/2 inches by 3-1/2 inches 
Maximum length:  42 inches 
Maximum length + girth combined:  79 inches
----------------------------------------------------------------------

A Larrivee box has total inches of 81

[lx384]

possible to cut it down by 2inches?

[Leeplaysblues]

Hi Lee,

Apparently USPS is not an option because the Larrivee box exceeds their shipment size limits.

So was wondering...if Fedex is being used to ship the guitar...does the cost of shipment include brokerage or do I have to pay that at this end?

Cheers

Fed Ex/ UPS/DHL  does it all, if brokerage is due they phone you and you pay on the phone via credit card. 

Hi Lee,

Apparently USPS is not an option because the Larrivee box exceeds their shipment size limits.

So was wondering...if Fedex is being used to ship the guitar...does the cost of shipment include brokerage or do I have to pay that at this end?

Cheers

Just cut a couple of inches off the box, thats what most dealers do! besides, I am told that they don't enforce the size to the cm.

I went to check Elderly prices for Larrivees but they can't match Notable Guitar's. Any reason why you choose Elderly instead of Notable?

If you are buying in the USA then maybe Notable and Trinity have the best deal, but for overseas you have to factor in the total cost of the guitar plus shipping. Elderly seem to have a deal with UPS/FEd Ex that allows them to charge $190 shipping whilst other stores can charge up to US$400 for the same service.

Best to check the quote inclusive of shipping before committing to one dealer or another.

[lx384]

elderly quoted me 250 for shipping... there are others who quoted 400.
Have not checked trinity yet.