[britguy]

I recently ordered a custom-built guitar from a builder in Mexico, shipped to Florida, USA.

His USA contact/agent assures me that none of his other US customers had to pay any taxes or duties on importation into the US.

I dont quite understand why this should be. Does anybody know if taxes and duties are applicable or not? Anybody any experiences with importing guitars from Mexico to the USA?

[Michael1917]

the dealer is correct. There are no extra import duties or fees for buying and importing a guitar from Mexico. I bought 2 Navarros from a dealer based in Texas. I paid the fee for the guitar and the shipping, that was it. Guitars were shipped directly to me in Virginia by UPS, no hassle. Cheers.

[Daniela]

I had to pay import duties even for buying dance shoes and accessories from Spain. I think customs can tax all goods from outside US.

[britguy]

Originally Posted by Michael1917

the dealer is correct. There are no extra import duties or fees for buying and importing a guitar from Mexico. I bought 2 Navarros from a dealer based in Texas. I paid the fee for the guitar and the shipping, that was it. Guitars were shipped directly to me in Virginia by UPS, no hassle. Cheers.

Thanks! I think the NAFTA agreement enables goods from Mexico to come in duty free, but it was federal sale taxes and broker fees I was concerned about. I assume the guitars were shipped to you direct from Mexico, not via Texas?

I still dont understand why sales taxes are not applicable? But if I dont get charged, who cares?

[Michael1917]

Yes, I think it is the NAFTA agreement that killed the import fees on many goods from Mexico.

When I ordered the 2 guitars from Francisco Navarro, it was through his primary U.S. importer, Ron Hudson, who runs a guitar shop in Texas. It is the Web site for Francisco Navaro guitars online in the USA. Google Francisco Navarro and you'll find it.

With Hudson, I was able to special order both guitars. Each one was a student model and I had requested some slight changes to them. For each guitar, Hudson got a quote for the guitar and the shipping, and with each it was less than $1000. His shop ordered the guitar for and it was then delivered to him for inspection. He then had it shipped to me here in Virginia. There may have been some hidden import cost--I don't know and Hudson never mentioned it -- but the guitars were a great deal and the shipping was reasonable.