Buying From Japan - Customs

[Hobbayne]

Like the look of this, but will I get clobbered by UK customs charges?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-Japan-70s-Reissue-Precision-Bass-PB70-OWH-CIJ-Bass-Guitar-R-Serial-/111999886897?hash=item1a13b6a631:g:lvcAAOSwKfVXJQVM

[Mykesbass]

Yes you will. There is a calculator online somewhere.

[ahpook]

I don't see any reason why you wouldn't.

[paul_5]

Japanese Customs? Bowing and being polite.

Sorry.

[Roger2611]

yes you will but, taking into account postage and import taxes can you get it cheaper over here? If the answer is yes then buy it over here, if the answer is no buy it from Japan and pay the taxes.

I brought some pickups from the US earlier in the year, after shipping and import taxes they were still £18.00 cheaper than the cheapest price I could get in the UK, so I imported and saved myself a little cash.....then didn't use the pickups so have them sitting in a box awaiting a future project!

[Dood]

Don't forget that VAT will also be added on top of Customs and Excise costs. Sometimes the local courier will throw on their own handling charge too which usually end up being another £10 ish is you are lucky. Still could work out well though - great basses.

[BigRedX]

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1463504884' post='3051898']
Like the look of this, but will I get clobbered by UK customs charges?
[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-Japan-70s-Reissue-Precision-Bass-PB70-OWH-CIJ-Bass-Guitar-R-Serial-/111999886897?hash=item1a13b6a631:g:lvcAAOSwKfVXJQVM"]http://www.ebay.co.u...vcAAOSwKfVXJQVM[/url]
[/quote]

You will pay VAT and import duty on the cost of the bass plus the cost of the shipping, plus of course a handling fee. Add 25% to the overall cost and you won't have any unpleasant surprises. For the bass in the link the total price will be around £500.

[thebrig]

Here's what the online calculator came up with.

[url="http://www.dutycalculator.com"]http://www.dutycalculator.com[/url]

[b]From where to where you import[/b]
Importing from:
[b]Japan[/b]
Importing to:
[b]United Kingdom [/b] ([url="http://www.dutycalculator.com/country-guides/Import-duty-taxes-when-importing-into-the-United-Kingdom/"]view country guide[/url])

[b]The type of product, its value and where it was manufactured[/b]
Product description:
[b]Bass Guitar[/b]
Product category:
[b]Bass Guitar[/b] ([url="http://www.dutycalculator.com/compare-plans/"]Upgrade account to get HS code[/url])
Product quantity:
[b]1[/b]
Total product value:
[b]US$489.99[/b]

[b]The cost of shipping and insurance of importing[/b]
Shipping costs:
[b]US$62.49[/b]
Insurance costs:
[b]US$0.00[/b]
[b]Calculation results[/b]

Total customs value ([url="http://www.dutycalculator.com/help_center/CIF-cost-insurance-and-freight/"]CIF[/url]):
[b]£382.46[/b]
This is the amount that customs values your import at
- Duty:
[b]£14.15 [/b]

- VAT:
[b]£79.32 [/b]

[b]Total import duty & taxes due:[/b]
[b]£93.47[/b]
This is the amount that needs to be paid to customs
- Product, shipping & insurance:
[b]£382.46 [/b]

Total landed cost:
[b]£475.94[/b]

This is the total cost of importing, including product, shipping, insurance and import duty & taxes at exchange rate of 1 GBP = 1.44 USD
[b]Calculation and compliance notes[/b]

[b]Notes on duty & taxes rates and compliance[/b]
Bass Guitar has an import duty rate of 3.7% and VAT rate of 20% . If the product is made of endangered species, import of this product requires a [url="http://www.dutycalculator.com/country-guides/import-restrictions-for-endangered-species-CITES/"]CITES license[/url] [Some probability]. [url="http://www.dutycalculator.com/country-guides/dangerous-goods-postal-courier-restrictions/"]Restrictions[/url] may apply for shipping this product with courier or postal companies [Some probability]. Shipping prohibitions or restrictions may apply to articles including ivory/ivory products, fur and animal skin. Please, contact your courier for more information.
[b]Notes on import taxes due[/b]
Please include the cost of insurance to ensure correct import tax calculation
Please note that your shipping provider may add an additional [url="http://www.dutycalculator.com/help_center/will-there-be-any-extra-charges-from-the-shipping-provider/"]handling fee[/url]
Read more on how import duty & taxes are calculated for United Kingdom [url="http://www.dutycalculator.com/country-guides/Import-duty-taxes-when-importing-into-the-United-Kingdom/"]here[/url]

[BigRedX]

Allow an extra £15 for the customs handling charge on top of the above figure.

[Beedster]

Seller states that the truss rod is close to maxed-out. If you have to return it you won't get any import duties etc refunded. Seller also says you need to have insured shipping in case of problems, which I imagine is over and above the quotes in the thread. Wait a while and a similar bass will come up at equal or lower cost in the UK with far lower risk.

[Hobbayne]

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1463512086' post='3052006']
Seller states that the truss rod is close to maxed-out. [/quote]

Yes, Thankfully I noticed that before I did anything silly.