Shipping instruments to the US - worth it or too risky?

[Beer of the Bass]

I have an instrument advertised (not a bass, hence it's on another site) which someone is asking if I would ship to the USA. None of the woods used are covered by CITES as far as I'm aware - it's cedar, mahogany and ebony. But it does have some MOP inlay which I've read might be flagged under the Lacey act. It does have a hard case, but obviously I'd still need to gather packing materials and deal with the customs paperwork and live with the risk involved.

I'm somewhat on the fence about whether to consider it, as it seems like a lot of additional work and I don't know if any carriers really have worthwhile insurance. The instrument is advertised at about £500, so it would not be a small loss if it all went pear shaped. I know a fair few of you have shipped instruments around, so I'd be curious to see what people think.

[Owen]

I have exported to the US in the past. No probs as long as it is packed for courier handling, insured, and the reciever is fully aware that taxes going in are their responsibility. 

 

It is going to add a pretty penny to the price tag though. 

[Beer of the Bass]

On 26/09/2021 at 21:10, owen said:

I have exported to the US in the past. No probs as long as it is packed for courier handling, insured, and the reciever is fully aware that taxes going in are their responsibility. 

 

It is going to add a pretty penny to the price tag though. 

 

Which couriers have you used? If I can feel reasonably confident that it's properly insured, and the buyer is fine with the costs, perhaps it wouldn't be too bad.

[warwickhunt]

As Owen has said, get some costs off couriers before proceeding and potentially wasting time.  I checked on a short scale bass to the States the other week and it was almost £300 (through Interparcel) that was £250 insurance cover... not £500 as in your case.  Add the taxes at the other end made the deal an absolute none starter.  

[Hellzero]

I've shipped instruments and hi-fi gear all over the world without any problem, but I've always used a highly trustable courier, fully insured item(s), impeccable paperwork and bullet proof parcel.

 

If the buyer wants to lower the declared value to pay less incoming taxes or change something in this method, my answer is always the same : NO.

 

Your £500 GBP will end up costing him all in all more than $1250 USD...

[Norris]

Afaik, mahogany and ebony are both listed under CITES.

 

It probably depends where it originated, actual species of wood, and how long ago it was made into a guitar. But I doubt you'd ever be able to know all that now without certificates

[Beer of the Bass]

It's clearly dated on the label inside the soundhole as being built in 1987 - I'm not sure if that would be sufficient evidence of being pre-CITES.

[Hellzero]

1 hour ago, Norris said:

Afaik, mahogany and ebony are both listed under CITES.

 

It probably depends where it originated, actual species of wood, and how long ago it was made into a guitar. But I doubt you'd ever be able to know all that now without certificates

 

Indeed, but they are in Appendix II (only controlled woods in this case) and part of an "old" musical instrument, so there's no need for a CITES certificate here. 😉 

 

Check these links :

https://cites.org/eng/disc/how.php

https://cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php

https://www.fws.gov/international/plants/current-cites-listings-of-tree-species.html

[Beer of the Bass]

I've been getting some quotes from Interparcel to send to the potential buyer. AFAIK the prices they quote are pre-VAT. Does anyone know if that would be added at checkout for an item being sent from the UK to USA?

[Downunderwonder]

6 hours ago, Beer of the Bass said:

I've been getting some quotes from Interparcel to send to the potential buyer. AFAIK the prices they quote are pre-VAT. Does anyone know if that would be added at checkout for an item being sent from the UK to USA?

Overseas postage from NZ has no sales tax added.

 

We pay sales tax on the value of the shipping when importing.

 

Should be same same in all tax jurisdictions.

 

Hit the buy postage button and it should surely show you what you will pay before you enter your card deets.