I intend to buy an electric guitar from the United States and have it mailed here. Anyone have any idea how much the tax or import duty would be?

There's actually no import duty/tax on electric guitars, but you have to pay a 10% sales tax.

It's supposed to be calculated based on the sales price of the guitar, so make sure that the shipper lists the shipping charges separately.

Just out of curiosity... what axe are you importing?

This post has been edited by RustReaver4D1: Sep 6 2007, 02:02 PM

10% eh? If the shipper did not list shipping charges seperately, how will they estimate the price?

I'm still not sure, since I'll have to budget this all in before I can choose a good axe. Probably something from ESP or Dean if possible.

This post has been edited by PhantomThief: Sep 6 2007, 02:05 PM

if the shipper didnt list the charges seperately...
then the 10% tax will be based on whatever total they see, ie. guitar + shipping...

I can see how they would be able to get the price of shipping, but how would they get the price of the guitar? Surely they won't take my word for it? Would I have to bring a receipt or a credit card slip or similar?

if u import in bulk more import duty

Like if you buy from Ishibashi (Nipponland), they will list the price separately from the shipping charges, plus they'll also give you the invoice which will state what the sale price is.

Wow... Dean or ESP, ganas...

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Added on September 6, 2007, 2:26 pmActually no. Because if you check the Customs tariff book, there's no import duty on musical instruments, just a sales tax. So if you buy 10 guitars, you'll still be charged 10% tax on all 10 guitars.

This post has been edited by RustReaver4D1: Sep 6 2007, 02:26 PM

Heh, I already have a Mex Strat, so I'm trying to go for something a little more heavy. If I can get a good price for a guitar, the total cost will just be 10% extra, right? No other excessive charges, I hope? Otherwise I would be better served buying locally than trying to bring one in from the States.

If you ship though courier (e.g. DHL), they'll call you up when the stuff arrives and quote you the customs duty payable. You can settle the dispute, if any, at this point. You'll pay the duty when they deliver it to your doorstep.

I haven't had a dispute so far so I'm not sure how the process goes.

Is it possible that they would exempt the tax in any case?

only if you're a hot chick willing to get down on your knees

but uhhh, this is malaysia boleh land.
10% of cos can be exempted with duit kopi.
but theres no point really if 10% of your guitar is like RM100 only.

But if I'm ordering in a Razorback 255..... yeah.... 10% is going to come up STEEP

Usually there will be several Customs officers hanging around the area where they process your tax... so offer duit kopi at your own risk!

Ok, that method aside, I've heard that sometimes they won't tax you at all and sometimes, if it's 2nd hand, they'll give a discount on the 10% tax... they probably roll a d20 dice first to see what they'll do...

I was ROTFOL when I read this!!!

But I REALLY REALLY want that 255...... And it's too bulky to carry it back from the states me thinks.

the shipping for the 255 im sure is definitely very close to or more than RM1000.
my friend's US dime with hardcase also is damn heavy already, for sure at least 1.5x the weight of LP w/ case.

how much is your guitar worth ?

i can get 5% off but i want 2% in my pocket ...so ..7% .. if your guitar is like USD4000 ..whoa..i am in

translated.
i actually dont have to pay sales tax, so i just simply say i get 5% off.
actually im getting 7% clean profit

^ haha, pwned.

nah.. he can probably get 6% discount on the tax but if it wasn't 5% + 2% = 7%, it just would not be so epic.

Heh, okay, thanks guys. If anyone's interested, I'll come back and post up whatever I order.

Cheers!