Great deal on strings !!

[sifi2112]

Just received a package from US .. was hoping to avoid import duty & VAT ... and did !! Description 'music accessory' with a value of $20.
Inside was the following -

- 2 sets DR Strings Fat Beams Medium Bass strings
- 2 sets D'Addario EPS165 ProSteels Bass strings
- 2 sets D'Addario EXL165 Electric Bass strings
- 2 sets D'Addario ESXL170 Double Ball End Bass strings
- 2 sets Rotosound RS55LD Electric Bass strings
- 1 set Rotosound RS77LD Monel Flatwound Electric Bass strings

I also wrote the following to them, didn't get a reply but thought I'd chance it anyway ...

'have added an extra set but reckon this wont affect the shipping cost of $21 .. will shortly use 'buy it now' & await an invoice as stated.
I realize I might have to pay import duty & UK vat but ask (if possible) if you could mark the package as 'gift or spare part' & possibly list the value lower ? (guitarpartsresource recently did this on a badass bridge for me & I paid nothing extra !) .. if I get away with it I'll post on basschat.co.uk forum !
If however this is against your policy .. I understand.'

Invoice $232.94
shipping $21 (combined)
Total $253.94 £129 !!!!

Hope Mr. Taxman's not a bass player on this forum !! Can't guarantee you'll get away with it but I calculated that even if you don't they're still cheaper than UK prices but I'm sure some of you know places to get em too !

[url="http://stores.ebay.co.uk/MyMusicStuff"]http://stores.ebay.co.uk/MyMusicStuff[/url]

Si

[Jobiebass]

ive looked extensivly into import because I was going to import a stringray from canada which has the same rules on import as the US.
he was going to say it costs £300 so id only pay 3.2% + 17.5% on total (shipping+product) which would have worked out ok, but obviously tax evasion is illegal.
I also looked into the "gift" route, which used to work, although now-a-days according to people who work in that area of business on the tinternet forums, marking it as a gift doesnt mean it will bypass the checking for it. it used to but not anymore. All things posted from outside the EU to UK will go down a process and be cherry picked to make sure tax is paid, according to the internet its about 80% depending on their workload. I dont know how correct this is or how up to date it is, but this is what ive found.

Although saying this, I just ordered a mitey mite neck from the states and that got through fine without any jiggling about with how much it costs or marking it as a gift.

My advice to you...

...Be Lucky

[johnnylager]

[quote name='sifi2112' post='193595' date='May 7 2008, 07:45 AM'][url="http://stores.ebay.co.uk/MyMusicStuff"]http://stores.ebay.co.uk/MyMusicStuff[/url]

Si[/quote]
Nice one, how long was delivery?

[sifi2112]

[quote name='johnnylager' post='193613' date='May 7 2008, 08:47 AM']Nice one, how long was delivery?[/quote]

Order was put in on 29th April .. say about 10 days.

Si

[stevebasshead]

I think Customs are wise to most of the tricks by now, if anyone's not going to let stuff sneak by it's the taxman!

But I also think there's so much comes into the country now that all they can do is a spot check irrespective of what's marked on the package, so it's pot luck whether you get asked to pay the duty or not. For example, I ordered a plexi pickguard for my Ric from the States and I had to pay the duty. But it didn't fit so I returned it and the replacement came through without the duty hit (just as well, I'd have hated to pay twice!) I also just got a fuzz pedal which was clearly marked as a Guitar Effect Pedal and it slipped by unchecked.

It's usually worth a gamble, in my case the fuzz pedal would've cost the same as the UK price if I'd had to pay the duty but it lucky for me it worked out cheaper. I wouldn't have minded paying the duty if needs be 'cos I think in the long run it's odds on you'll still save if you a) buy enough stuff and the US price is substantially cheaper to put the odds in your favour.