jedzep Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Does anyone have recent experience buying a guitar from a Canadian dealer? Were customs fees applicable? I'm thinking of spending a thousand bucks on a six string. Any advice is appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Did not get dinged at all. May've spent two days in Customs, but was able to have phone conversation with them, and the guitar was on it's way. Had to do a double take when the UPS driver said "that'll be $35.00."- some sort of processing fee, which was happily paid. Bear in mind, the guitar (an old SJ) was stamped "Made in the USA", was made pre-Lacey Act, and was returning to the country of origin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Three months ago I bought a guitar from Westcoast Guitars in Vancouver. Part of the deal was that they would pay any customs. The guitar was $1900. Just today, UPS contacted me saying I owed $126. I contacted Westcoast and they took care of it. Nice people to work with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Buying from Canada and shipping to the U.S .. there is No customs on any U.S Made products.. including guitars. Ive shipped Hundreds south from here.. and never had a issue with that sort of thing.. If UPS sent you a bill , I would be finding out why.. There crooks as it is.. with there over inflated broker fees sending stuff up here.. which it could of been a Broker fee just for processing the paper work.. Canadapost express post is quite good.. I use it all the time with no issues.. UPS sucks crap... Now over seas is another matter.. they have there own tax system on everything .. Ive heard a lot of bad things from there.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Did not get dinged at all. May've spent two days in Customs, but was able to have phone conversation with them, and the guitar was on it's way. Had to do a double take when the UPS driver said "that'll be $35.00."- some sort of processing fee, which was happily paid. Bear in mind, the guitar (an old SJ) was stamped "Made in the USA", was made pre-Lacey Act, and was returning to the country of origin. The Made in the U.S.a as no Impact on shipping from canada to the U.S.. its a U.S made product.. Pre Lacey or Not.. they charged you a Broker fee for handling.there should not of been a charge at all... NONE.. . thats all.. UPS Sucks in every way up here.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Does anyone have recent experience buying a guitar from a Canadian dealer? Were customs fees applicable? I'm thinking of spending a thousand bucks on a six string. Any advice is appreciated. Use Canadapost express post about 250.00 Cdn ... or even Expedited ground.about 125.00 Cdn.. Myself to U.S people.. I use the ground.. Keeps guitars safe.. as long as there properly boxed.. you should not incur and fees.. Not even a broker fee,, With UPS you will which is not right.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Buying from Canada and shipping to the U.S .. there is No customs on any U.S Made products.. including guitars. Ive shipped Hundreds south from here.. and never had a issue with that sort of thing.. If UPS sent you a bill , I would be finding out why.. There crooks as it is.. with there over inflated broker fees sending stuff up here.. which it could of been a Broker fee just for processing the paper work.. Canadapost express post is quite good.. I use it all the time with no issues.. UPS sucks crap... Now over seas is another matter.. they have there own tax system on everything .. Ive heard a lot of bad things from there.. Mine was Japanese Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Mine was Japanese They do not open boxes.. I worked there at the main hub unloading the plane , moving the items from the Uld bins from the planes to the conveyor belts to the trucks.. .. so my guess it was mentioned on the Export document . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted August 31, 2016 Author Share Posted August 31, 2016 Just trying to figure out if there will be costs tacked on to the stated price in a simple guitar purchase from an Ontario music shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Just trying to figure out if there will be costs tacked on to the stated price in a simple guitar purchase from an Ontario music shop. maybe ask the Music shop if it can be sent canadapost Expedited.. I use that all the time with no problems. Ive never heard of any billing towards the buyer south of the border at all.. I know UPS does the tactic.. they call a broker fee.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted August 31, 2016 Author Share Posted August 31, 2016 Thanks for the suggestion, Slim. I did ask, and I'm awaiting a reply. You guys are just quicker with the answers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bayoubengal1954 Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 I received a Halcyon Guitar made in Canada and shipped from Canada via Canada Post and there were no extra charges attached. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josee Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 I used to own an import-export company a few years ago...and I was filling out my own brokerage paperwork. NAFTA's website (do not confuse with the other product! lol), North American Free Trade Agreement, might shed light on the topic, just in case some custom brokers would apply charges from goods purchased in Canada to be shipped in the US. Guitars fall under Chapter 92, but there are sub-headings and classifications to be considered. In order to select the right tariff code, more info is needed, as this will determine if you can be exonerated from Duty fees: New or Used instrument? Country of Origin (where was the guitar built originally) If it's a guitar, is it an acoustic or electric? Does it come with a guitar case or not? Once I know the answers to the above questions, I'll be able to provide you with the specific tariff code, which will determine if a duty fee (usually it is a percentage based on the paid price)is applicable or not; the duty to be paid can range from NIL to 0.6%, but can also be up to 55%... I will then be able to guide you in getting the right form from US Customs Service and filling it out, which is usually very simple and basic, but custom brokers do charge 4 arms and 3 legs usually, and I don't. :) Regards, Josee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted August 31, 2016 Author Share Posted August 31, 2016 Thanks, Josee. The guitar is a new acoustic Guild M20, made in California, with case, purchased for around a thousand bucks from a Toronto store called Tundra Music, shipping to upstate NY...not very far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josee Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Thanks, Josee. The guitar is a new acoustic Guild M20, made in California, with case, purchased for around a thousand bucks from a Toronto store called Tundra Music, shipping to upstate NY...not very far. Thank you for the speedy reply, Jedzep! I'll check the tariff book and will come back to you before 5 pm EST. Odds are that Tundra Music will have to provide the "export" papers. If they've never exported anything to the States prior today, our "Canadian" Customs forms are easy to fill out, as only the proper tariff code needs to be shown on Canadian Bill of Lading. Furthermore, the guitar was originally built in the USA; duties have already been paid from the "builder/manufacturer" and the "Canadian store". Since the guitar is "returning" back "home", duties would be (and should be) exonerated. But, wait until I get the final tariff code and provide it to you before you go any further. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike tango Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Does anyone have recent experience buying a guitar from a Canadian dealer? Were customs fees applicable? I'm thinking of spending a thousand bucks on a six string. Any advice is appreciated. with the nafta, there is no duty between Canada and US on musical instruments ( I am assuming you are in US). There may still be state taxes. I live in Canada and have bought from US and know this is the case. Watch which way it is shipped. Sometimes the cheapest shipping includes hefty brokerage fees. UPS has some shipping methods that do and some that don't. Other shipping agencies have different provisions. Some great deals to be had as the Canadian dollar is low. good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josee Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Thank you for the speedy reply, Jedzep! I'll check the tariff book and will come back to you before 5 pm EST. Odds are that Tundra Music will have to provide the "export" papers. If they've never exported anything to the States prior today, our "Canadian" Customs forms are easy to fill out, as only the proper tariff code needs to be shown on Canadian Bill of Lading. Furthermore, the guitar was originally built in the USA; duties have already been paid from the "builder/manufacturer" and the "Canadian store". Since the guitar is "returning" back "home", duties would be (and should be) exonerated. But, wait until I get the final tariff code and provide it to you before you go any further. :) I'm back with the necessary info... (reference: Tariff Code - Chapter 92 ) Tariff Code: 9202.90.90.10 Description: Other string musical instrument - Other - Other - Guitars The above tariff code AND description have to be shown on the bill of lading and the retailer's commercial invoice. If you consult the referred link, you'll see a "MFN Tariff" of 6% (stands for Most-Favoure-Nation Tariff), which was initially paid by the Canadian retailer and it doesn't apply to your goods. And this code, is FREE of duty under UST (United States Tariff). All in all, Customs and Duties are not applicable in your situation. The only thing you need to know is if Tundra Music is willing to ship to the USA, as they usually ship "domestic" (within Canada only). I'd give them a call first. Tundra Music offers different shipping options, which they will provide if you request a shipping cost estimate. If they are hesitant in shipping to the US, tell them you have the required Tariff Codes for US Customs clearance. Please let us know how it goes. :) Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted August 31, 2016 Author Share Posted August 31, 2016 Tundra has given me info that matches your assessment. New product made in USA, they ship w/no added cost to me. Already have my tracking #. If any of my fellow Gibson geeks are interested in this guitar, I've owned two early 60's models and was very impressed with the full delicate tone, comparable to my '57 Martin 017. I sold both as the inch an 9/16 nut was hard to manage. Guild's new factory in Ca has begun to produce the M20 with inch and three quarter nut. I therefore decided to buy the first new guitar of my entire life. I'll be telling everyone it was hand built by Ren. Can't wait. Maybe it's because of currency dif, but this seller has the best price, by far, on these still slightly hard to find guitars. I'll know right away if it's any good. It'll be A-B'd with of the best sounding small bod mahogany guitars I have ever heard. My L0. http://www.ebay.com/itm/371709622647 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usernameinvalid Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 You already have everything worked out so i Deleted my post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Nicely done, Josee. Good to have a person of your experience here on the forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted September 2, 2016 Author Share Posted September 2, 2016 Just when you think you're skating...SNAFU. Well, you bearers of warnings are right. Problems already. As the seller only had handwritten 'made in usa' on the invoice, I've been mired in the back and forth of trying to get documentation of the guitars place of origin for the Northern Border Holds Specialist, who is 'away from his desk'. Warehouse space is, of course, precious, so a $20/day storage fee is also in play. The seller, Tundra Music, is now on the case. They should be able to work it out, on the eve of a holiday weekend, no less...right? Smoke is coming out of my ears. Thanks again to all of you who had warnings and suggestions to offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usernameinvalid Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Send Tundra Music this link and tell them to print it out and fill it out in full. http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/b232-eng.pdf US customs can be real A-- holes when they want to. I guess that's what happens when you give people ultimate power to make someone else's life miserable. It would be way to hard for the customs guy to look inside the sound hole and look at the Made in USA on the factory installed label. Hope everything goes though before the long week end starts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted September 2, 2016 Author Share Posted September 2, 2016 Thanks, username. Tundra rep never contacted the border holds spec, but I wisely called him myself at about 2p. I sent him a link to the listing where 'made in usa' was in the description, along with order details which proved it was a new purchase, causing him to release the pkg, still in Buffalo...where it will probably sit for the long weekend. UPS tracking however, says the pkg is here in Oneonta NY, which it obviously isn't. I've asked Tundra to kick in with $. We'll see what they say. I like the US Postal Service for guitar shipping. They aren't so rushed and harried. None of these customs fees would have been incurred if they had used them, and my local postmaster is attuned to my guitar buying addiction. Live and learn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 when the package arrives,, if UPS asks for a fee.. ask what is the fee for ? it would be nice to know.. we get dinged up here by that company .. broker fee prices are reflected upon the value dollar verses dollar. if its a 50.00 item.. its a 20.00 broker fee prior to taxes.. if its a 800.00 item.. 75.00 plus for the broker fee plus taxes on top.. . its a real scam up here.. Quite simular to the Global shipping program through eBay for shipping to canada .. except they have , the higher the bid goes .. the higher the shipping cost goes as well as the import fees.. a double dinger.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedzep Posted September 3, 2016 Author Share Posted September 3, 2016 I will get an itemized statement, slim. Looks like the fee is 85 and change, but I got such a good deal on the Guild I think I'll call it 'not so free' shipping and enjoy the guitar. Of course, now it's the holiday weekend. The truck went right past my house to take it to my UPS facility 15 minutes away, where it will sit 'til Tuesday. Now I have the dreaded 'Sophie's Choice'. Think I'll be saying goodbye to my little 5-15 TERZ Martin, pictured here. Gotta' abide by the rule, 1 in...1out. Drat...photobucket failed me again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.