International shipping :-(

[fillmore nyc]

Well, here is another reason to NEVER ship Internationally.
I had to ship a guitar that I purchased back to its builder to Asuncion, Paraguay, and after getting numerous shipping quotes in the zillions of dollars, I settled on US Postal Service, who hands shit off to FedEx.
It cost me $627 to get the guitar shipped (that STILL makes me dizzy), but that was at LEAST $100 less than anyone else, and I HADDA get the guitar shipped back... no choice. The recipient asked me to insure it for $150, because apparently they charge 100% tax on the declared value of the package!! To get it out of customs down there, he would have to pay $150. The guitar is worth around $1750, and the recipient assured me that if the guitar was damaged, he would not hold me responsible.

Well, I just found out that the fucking geniuses in customs in S. America have decided to charge the recipient tax on the SHIPPING cost ($627) instead of the $150 that is clearly marked on the declaration page, so he refused to accept the box!!
NOW Im doing battle with FedEx to try to get them to convince customs in Paraguay to move their stance, and charge the correct amount... so far, its been a complete waste of time. FedEx down there is just as uncooperative as customs. I actually got on a 3 way conference call with FedEx in Asuncion, and the rep there said to the rep here, "well, what does this shipper think we're gonna do for him?? Tell him to contact the recipient and let HIM handle it".
Meanwhile, here FedEx is asking ME if I want the guitar returned (which would require ME to pay the tax) or do I want the box "abandoned" (read: "some fuckin' greaseball in Paraguay will walk away with the guitar").

I feel like Im dealing with people straight out of the movie Midnight Express.

Like these are the sort of pricks that'll lock you up for 25 years cause you were trying to bring an orange back from their piece of shit country.

What a fucking nightmare. I dont know what the resolve is gonna be yet, but it doesnt seem good.

[Cabbagebreeze]

I empathize. I'll have an extra drink for you tonight.

[Scumback Speakers]

The guy in Paraguay fucked up. You should have declared a $99 value, not $150. If you had...(you'll hate this, just downloaded it from the USPS Global Express Guaranteed mailing requirements for Paraguay, pg 903)...

● All commercial shipments or shipments with a value of $100
US and above must be Customs cleared by recipient and/or
recipient’s designated broker. Paperwork will be delivered.
This procedure is called "formal clearance". It takes 48 to 72
hours to release packages from Customs. All duties/taxes are
assessed unless the recipient is registered as importer.
● All sample shipments with a declared value up to $100 US,
should be cleared immediately. No duties/taxes will be
assessed unless the local Customs decide the opposite.
● Clearance authorization, written or verbal, required of recipient
for all non-document shipments.
● If a shipment arriving into Paraguay has the commodity value
declared incorrectly, shipments will be held by Customs and
will require special procedures. Shipments can also be revalued
by the local Customs inspectors.

He should have told you to list it as "returned goods" or "service repair items" to avoid duties/taxes. If it's a product of Paraguay and you send it back, it has no import duties, if you declare it as a product of Paraguay.

So your builder is an idiot. Or he did it on purpose to keep the guitar, or have you pay the customs duties...or both.

Sorry. I've learned a lot about international shipping in the last five years, and a few paypal disputes.

[BLOOZE]

Normally you have to fill out a customs declaration dispatch note (were you declare the value)
On this note they ask you if it s a gift, returned goods……..

There is no tax on returned goods.

Some countries charge tax on the SHIPPING cost plus tax on the declared value.

I cannot believe that if they return the guitar back to you that you have to pay the custom duty.

That is a bad story and I hope you will solve that problem.

[Scumback Speakers]

Blooze is correct. Many foreign countries charge duties on the shipping cost as well as what you declare for value.

I have to tell you, though, that $627 seems like a very high shipping fee. I've sent 2x12 cabinets to Australia for $400, and they have to be bigger than a guitar box by a long shot.

[Structo]

Man, what a nightmare!

I don't sell much gear but when I do I always state CONUS only!

I see many times when buyers in Europe try to get the seller to lie about the value to keep the VAT tax and import duties low.

Basically they are asking you to commit fraud and it will come back and bite you in the ass if customs investigates it.

[Rockbert]

I was sarcastically thinking, "Gee, it would have been cheaper for you to fly down to Paraguay and bring the guitar with you". Then I looked at the fares, which are <$1000, so yeah, I guess it really might have almost been cheaper! And you get a bonus trip to Paraguay, which would be cool. A couple years ago I was across the street from Paraguay - actually it was a bridge I think - but didn't have time to go there... we were in Foz do Iguazu, Brazil, which is right on the border, and the Paraguay side was like the big duty-free (irony?) shopping area...

[fillmore nyc]

I was sarcastically thinking, "Gee, it would have been cheaper for you to fly down to Paraguay and bring the guitar with you". Then I looked at the fares, which are <$1000, so yeah, I guess it really might have almost been cheaper! And you get a bonus trip to Paraguay, which would be cool.

I thought the exact same thing. The sick part of it is that Im STILL battling Fed(fucking)Ex and getting nowhere. The package is still in Paraguay, and FedEx is doing nothing to get customs to move off of trying to charge tax on $627.
I just spoke to the FedEx rep here this morning, and he's gonna step it up a notch by getting a manager in the States involved... we'll see if that accomplishes anything, but Im losing hope.