bringing guitars back from USA

[jmck66]

I'm in New York at the moment and my husband has just bought an electric guitar each for our two sons, both with a hard case. I'm paranoid that we're going to get in trouble bringing these back or get stung for duty on the way through customs. We're flying with Delta but flying back via Atlanta into Manchester. Does anyone have any advice or can anyone put my mind at rest about this? Would be grateful for any information.

[SteveD]

Have a look here to see what your are allowed to bring back from outside the EU:

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebAp p/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_page Label=pageTravel_ShowContent&propertyType=docu ment&resetCT=true&id=HMCE_PROD_010219

As you are unlikely to be able to sneak two guitars in cases past Customs, you will have to declare them.

Furthermore, won't you need a transformer to convert the power supply down to 110 volts?

[SteveD]

* you are

[Narolines]

Transformer? They're bringing guitars, not amps. But sadly, jmck66, you will indeed be charged duty on them.

[SteveD]

Sorry. Shows my lack of knowledge about how electric guitars work!

[Narolines]

No probs - easy mistake to make! As a working musician I've brought loads of guitars through customs in various places and I always - ALWAYS - make sure I've got proof that I took them out with me when I started the trip. In the EU there's no problem - you can bring as many in and out as your airline will stand you carrying, but from anywhere else - unfortunately, from the USA especially - customs are pretty hot on musical equipment, especially if it's shiny new guitars in shiny new cases.