stingrayPete1977 Posted September 21, 2011 Author Share Posted September 21, 2011 (edited) Ex display Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0 works out at £223 if you could put it in your suitcase whilst on your holidays! Would of been £175 when I was there in 2006 and the Ray 5 Im after with the neck whipped off and bunged in with it about £700 Edited September 21, 2011 by stingrayPete1977 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 Hi. I bought a Surfcaster from the States a year ago, and this was the story. The seller despatched the guitar via courier and sent me a tracking number. It arrived in the UK and stopped at a customs warehouse. I received a letter from Parcel Force outlining the import tax (£11), VAT (£90) and a handling fee (£7). I rang the customs people asking how they could charge VAT on something that was not new, and they explained as VAT had never been charged on it in the UK, they were entitled to do this. But, they also said they had used a nominal value to assess the VAT, and this amount was considerably lower than what I had paid. I coughed up with my debit card and she arrived soon after. Also the seller had put a lower value on the declaration value (but a higher value than customs had used). If you seller says it is a gift, or 'parts for repair' sometimes it avoids all this. I bought a Hipshot bridge from the States, and asked if the seller would mark it as a gift, he refused, but it arrived on my doorstep with no extra charge anyway, although I think this only works with small packages. If you ring the inland revenue helpline, the first thing they ask is 'What did you pay?', and if you were to appeal, you would have to show evidence of this. I felt a bit stung, and at the end of the day could have bought a similar guitar in the UK for a similar price. But the truth was. I was drunk and hit the buy it now button by sort of accident. You live and learn. Although the guitar was what the seller said it was, and very pristine and well packed. If this is the bass you want, then the price becomes less of an issue. Contact the seller prior to bidding and ask what the delivery charges will be and your intention to bid, and ask if the seller will help with the value declaration should you win (and make sure the seller states the age of the bass). But expect to pay something toward HMCR if you do. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted September 21, 2011 Author Share Posted September 21, 2011 Thanks billy, I just wish it was here in the uk it's a bit of an oddball neither a vintage (as the listing says lol) or new yet to a Ray nerd it's very interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 Don't forget that you also pay VAT on the shipping costs ( which IMHO is daylight bleedin' robbery! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevB Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Email Ken Smith, he's an expert on this kind of thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted September 22, 2011 Author Share Posted September 22, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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