Bringing a bass back from the US

[Fionn]

Folks …

 

Has anyone brought back a bass from the USA whilst travelling?

 

I have a trip to that county approaching imminently. Given the bargains available over the brine there, and the fact that I’m currently full of GAS, I’m open to the idea of bringing a bass home … possibly.

 

Something that ‘should’ be declared upon arrival at whatever UK airport, clearly, so I realise that import tax should be evaluated.

 

Has anyone just walked through unchallenged with one though?
 

Is the whole thing a potential ball-ache, best avoided?
 

What are your experiences with this?

 

Cheers

[binky_bass]

Go out there with an empty case, come back with a full one. Worked for me. 

[fleabag]

What if the case is checked on the way out ?  

 

Probably better to stuff a really cheap bag '0 shyte in the case, just in ..er, case

[Thump]

A few years ago I bought a lovely telecaster in california, got a hard case too. Brought it back no problem. No charges, nothing

[Lozz196]

6 minutes ago, fleabag said:

What if the case is checked on the way out ?  

 

Probably better to stuff a really cheap bag '0 shyte in the case, just in ..er, case

Those were my thoughts, go out there with an instrument in a case, return with one, just a much better one at a knock down price.

[Chaosanator]

Given the current exchange rate at 1.21 are basses really much cheaper in the USA?

[Downunderwonder]

I left NZ with a pile, intending to return with same pile. I didn't want to pay duty on reimporting my pile so I went to see Customs on the way out and they slapped a sticker on it. I don't recall if they checked it or took my word for it when I came back.

 

The sticker was nothing fancy a but a real bear to remove. No way it would be possible to peel off one bass and put on another.

[spencer.b]

I often fly with a bass for gigs and it's never been checked or cross referenced with what I had when I flew out , can't see why you can't just come back with one ??

[cetera]

I've been there many times....
I now own many basses....

I couldn't possibly comment

 

[Crusoe]

buy a relic and if they ask on your return, just  say "what, this old thing?"

[pete.young]

1 hour ago, Crusoe said:

buy a relic and if they ask on your return, just  say "what, this old thing?"

Just make sure you don't have the receipt for it in your luggage. And steer clear of brazilian rosewood fingerboards.

[TheGreek]

15 hours ago, Lozz196 said:

Those were my thoughts, go out there with an instrument in a case, return with one, just a much better one at a knock down price.

 

That was my thought. Get yourself a £50 copy to take with,  bring back something a bit more classy and hope for the best. 

Don't assume that HMC&E don't know what they are doing though, they have specialists in the value of most stuff. 

[Reggaebass]

Any chance you could take a double case.. only there’s a nice 66 P I’ve seen 😁

[fretmeister]

It's not just import tax (about 2% iirc), it's VAT (20%) as well.

 

So if you get caught (and it is an offence, BTW) then you'll either pay about 22% on top of the sale price - or the value they think it has if they don't believe the sales document you have. If you won't or can't pay then they'll confiscate it and you'll have a little time to make payment. Then if not it will get destroyed.

 

Your choice!

[Dad3353]

48 minutes ago, fretmeister said:

...Then if not it will get destroyed...

 

Aren't there gov't auctions from time to time where confiscated stuff gets sold off..? If not, there's a potential (modest...) revenue stream for the country's coffers, perhaps. 

[fretmeister]

23 minutes ago, Dad3353 said:

 

Aren't there gov't auctions from time to time where confiscated stuff gets sold off..? If not, there's a potential (modest...) revenue stream for the country's coffers, perhaps. 

 

Sometimes. I don't think they really know what they are doing though!  

[BigRedX]

I've done it once.

 

Not a bass from the US, but a guitar from Japan. It helped that I was flying business class and arrived at the airport late - the guitar went into the suit locker on the plane no questions asked as they were desperate to get me seated so the flight could leave.

 

At the other end (Heathrow) I was perfectly prepared to go into the "Something To Declare" section, as the guitar wasn't worth much but was something that was almost impossible to get hold of in the UK (IIRC the VAT and duty would have been less than £50), but, it was late at night and the one customs officer on duty was busy unpacking the suitcase of a middle-eastern looking gent, and simply waved me through.

 

That not to say you should try to avoid paying your import taxes and VAT, but if HMRC aren't interested who am I to argue?

[Grahambythesea]

Most airlines will no longer let you take a bass in to the aircraft and the overhead lockers seem smaller these days and won’t hold one. Do you really want to risk one in the hold? 
 

 

[Woodinblack]

15 hours ago, Chaosanator said:

Given the current exchange rate at 1.21 are basses really much cheaper in the USA?

 

It used to be. But then it depends where you are buying from, if you happen to be taking a trip to one of the states with no sales tax such as Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon (or alaska, but a long way for a bass!), it can be worth it, assuming you don't get caught out, in which case it is likely more expensive.

 

Not sure I understand the logic of carrying an empty case out, for one it will probably cost you more in bagage and for a second, who is going to make a note that you went out with a case?

[binky_bass]

9 minutes ago, Woodinblack said:

Not sure I understand the logic of carrying an empty case out, for one it will probably cost you more in bagage and for a second, who is going to make a note that you went out with a case?

It'll have a luggage tag on it thus you can 'prove' you flew out there with it. 

[Cliff Edge]

I did this and chanced the nothing to declare route and got stopped with a brand new Stingray. Import duty plus VAT plus the fine for even trying meant I didn’t save anything over buying the damn thing in London instead of New York. 

[RhythmJunky]

Not perhaps directly relevant, but I once managed to get a pair of twin rudders  complete with connecting rod (ie about the size of a surf board) for a Hobie 14 beach cat through customs at a major UK airport unchallenged. I'd bought them used in Santa Cruz and flew back with them checked as hold luggage. 

 

Just wanted to share. Doubt it'd happen today. 

[martin8708]

I spent 6 months in the States some time ago ( Dallas ,TX) and I bought a Steinberger XL at the Dallas Guitar show .

On my arrival at Heathrow , customs were much relieved it was a music instrument and not a gun , so I was waved through .

Haven’t bought anything too dodgy recently , just the occational jumbo box of Golden Virginia for a work mate , still waved through.

[Fionn]

Thanks for sharing your experiences folks. It’s all food for thought.

[BillyBass]

On 13/10/2023 at 15:25, Woodinblack said:

 

It used to be. But then it depends where you are buying from, if you happen to be taking a trip to one of the states with no sales tax such as Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon (or alaska, but a long way for a bass!), it can be worth it, assuming you don't get caught out, in which case it is likely more expensive.

 

Not sure I understand the logic of carrying an empty case out, for one it will probably cost you more in bagage and for a second, who is going to make a note that you went out with a case?

Is it possible to avoid paying sales tax or get a refund if you are taking the object bought abroad?  Like VAT in this country?