Thread: importing US gear into the EU.

What I usualy do when I buy stuff in the US is ask the seller if he/she can send it as a "gift". That way no taxes can be collected...

Originally Posted by Spike J

Guitar smuggling is so low down the list of priorities that it is not worth worrying about.

Many drug traffickers think the same, a guitar can easily contain a few hundred grams of coke. That's why guitars are very HIGH on their lists!

Originally Posted by Kees

Many drug traffickers think the same, a guitar can easily contain a few hundred grams of coke. That's why guitars are very HIGH on their lists!

There's a difference between the narcotics brigade and customs.
While they may check the guitars and/or rectums of any traveler, that doesn't mean they are going to collect taxes on the items being searched. As long as there are no drugs stuffed in the guitar, no musician ever ran into trouble for bringing his instrument on a travel.
When traveling to the states, I know you must be careful with stating that the instrument is used for a gig, because they might ask for a green card. But I don't think that's an issue coming to Europe. A friend of mine, who's a recording studio owner, regularly buys expensive gear in the US. If it's worth the money, he buys a low cost ticket, and collects the goods himself, bringing it back in his luggage. It's still cheaper that way, than order it shipped and paying heavy import taxes. If customs go through his luggage and they don't accept his explanation, he has to pay the taxes + an additional fine, but so far no one ever asked a single question.