usa -> europe .. shipping a guitar

[guhlenn]

I got a quote form UPS that ranges from 100-230 dollars...

customs added later....

now, there'sa way to avoid customs (i'm buying second hand of ebay) right? and are there cheaper ways to do the transport? and how do i pay the guy without being fucked (ok ok there's always a chance... but i ,mean the obvious of receiving a stone in a box...

Thanks!

Guhlenn

ps... i buy all my shit off the internet, h9owever, never have i purchased internationally... i do have a general trust in mankind , musicians in particular, however, i'm paranoia enough to ask you guys to tell me the most obvious tricks..

 

[christiaan]

I think the cheapest way is this:
Have it sent by someone over there as a "personal gift". Have invoices sent to you seperately to be sure. The cheapest way to transport something transatlantic is by boat through regular mail. I know my brother sent a box full of books to his fiancee in the US which must have weight a lot more than one guitar for like 40-50 Euros. That was as cheap as possible.

I'm planning on ordering some gear in the US somewhere next year or so when things are less busy here. She doesn't know yet but my plan is to have my brother's girl ship it to me.

I'm not sure but I don't think the 'it's second hand' thing really matters to customs. From what I know is that this will only mean that you won't have to pay V.A.T (BTW in het nederlands)

 

[hixmix]

I would'nt reccommend shipping a guitar overseas via "regular mail" unless it was packed in an Anvil case. Even then I wouldn't do it. The trip could take several weeks and the guitar potentially be exposed to all kinds of extreme climatic changes and rough handling situations. Regular mail might be good for books, but not a guitar.

 

[christiaan]

The trip could take several weeks and the guitar potentially be exposed to all kinds of extreme climatic changes and rough handling situations. Regular mail might be good for books, but not a guitar.

I guess you've got a point.
I would risk it on an FMR paperweight though.

 

[guhlenn]

customs are not a problem, second hasnd goods are not charged... goods under 500 usd are not charged...

The problem now is that although even UPS has horror stories the normal mail definately wont do... and ups will charge 253... so i guess i wont be able to get it here...

Well, it tried...

Thanks though christiaan..

btw, the idea of buying the guitar unseen is startring to bother me big time..

guhelnn