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If it has a Rosewood fretboard I'd be concerned about the new regulations though.
Take photos of the packing process. Make sure the shipping is insured.
Expect to pay import tax and Vat on the cost of the guitar and case AND the shipping.
So assume the price of the guitar and case and shipping and then about 25% on top to actually get it in your hands.
(then decide is wasn't worth it)
I’m so bored I might as well be listening to Pink Floyd
Don't use USPS/Royal Mail - they're very slow, plus UPS/FedEx will sort out customs/duty on the doorstep witha credit card, whereas using postal means you have to wait for a bill, then pay online - this alone can take 2 weeks.
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If it's a Gibson or something else with a fragile headstock you should slacken the strings off almost completely, and make sure the headstock isn't touching the front or back of the case inside - pad the neck support or the far end of the body if necessary to achieve that.
Then pack the case in bubble wrap inside a larger strong box. And pray. Personally I wouldn't pay extra for insurance because I've never known anyone make a successful claim so it's just giving money away, but someone on here said they did… so up to you. But as smnmy said don't over-insure or you'll just pay more duty.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
It's a really nice new EBMM BFR, so pretty hard to get here and they're all unique and this one is a beauty.
Hmmm good point about the VAT. I thought if it was sent as a gift, you didn't have to pay tax on it but looking on the government site this isn't the case!
Maybe the cheapest option would be to wait until my friend flies back and get him to bring it with him. That wouldn't incur any costs other than extra luggage allowance would it?
I don't think you said whether it had a rosewood board. If it does then getting your friend to bring it back in person is probably your only real option at the moment because the CITES rosewood thing is a mess.
Alternatively, wait for Trump's trade deal with the UK. Hopefully we can then import them duty free.
The idea about hand-carrying it is a good one, as it averts that possibility completely, VAT and duty issues aside.
Screenshot from the latest regulations, surely importing as gift and avoiding fees can be done according to this? You just need an occasion to receive a gift from your friend. Anyone who done this in the past?
*An Official Foo-Approved guitarist since Sept 2023.
However the fact that you are actually buying it is irrelevant to customs at this stage - If he just goes through the green channel and if stopped states it is his guitar and will be taking it back as well - also no cites issues if you are traveling with it
so I wouldn't absolutely count on just getting away with "it's my guitar." but customs are pretty overstretched and other than the random spot-checks they do for people who don't look quite right they usually rely on advance intelligence to pick out their targets for inspection and are going for far more serious things than VAT dodging on guitars.
As Mark said UPS and FedEx are okay, I'd be nervous having set necks shipped though.....even in this country! Never had a problem with bolt-on's though.
Personally I'm waiting on the return of the healthy pound before I start stateside purchasing again. I'm sure many others are too.