Ordering Guitar Gear From Overseas: Shipping, Duties and What to Expect

Several of the guitars on my wall came from Europe. A few brands are only sold there, and some models are simply easier to find or better priced from an overseas store. Students ask me whether that is a safe idea, and the honest answer is yes, with a few things you need to understand before you click the buy button. Here is what my own orders have taught me.

Where the gear actually ships from

When you order from a large European retailer, the goods ship from their warehouse in Europe. The website may show prices in US dollars and read like a domestic store, but the box still crosses the Atlantic. That has three consequences: delivery takes longer than a domestic order, the package goes through US customs, and returns go back the same way.

None of that is a problem if you plan for it. It is a problem if you expected next-day delivery and a local return counter.

Prices and what they leave out

Prices shown in dollars on an overseas store are typically net of European sales tax, which is good news, since that tax can be 19 percent or more. What the price does not include is any US import duty. Whether you owe any depends on the value of the shipment.

The de minimis rule, in plain terms

The United States has a threshold, currently around $800, below which most shipments enter without duty. Order a $450 pedal or a $700 guitar and it usually arrives with nothing extra to pay. Above that value, customs may assess duty and the carrier will collect it, generally on delivery or through a notice before delivery. For musical instruments the rate has historically been a few percent of the declared value, and carriers sometimes add a brokerage fee for handling the paperwork.

Two cautions. First, the threshold and the rates are set by government policy and can change; check the current rules when you order, especially for anything expensive. Second, a $1,400 guitar is a $1,400 guitar for customs purposes no matter what discount you got, so budget a few percent on top and be pleasantly surprised if it does not apply.

Delivery times

In my experience, an order from a big European store reaches North Carolina in several business days, most often within a week to ten days including customs. Tracking works the whole way. Large items like amp cabinets travel by freight and can take a little longer. Order well ahead of a gig or a birthday.

The retailer packs instruments well because they ship thousands of them, but a guitar still spends a week in cargo holds and trucks. Open the box in front of the delivery driver if you can, photograph any damage, and report it within a day or two.

Returns and warranty

The big European retailer offers a 30-day money-back period and a 3-year warranty on most gear, which is more generous than a lot of domestic stores. Read the fine print anyway. You will usually pay return shipping yourself unless the item is faulty, and international return shipping on a guitar can run $60 to $100. Keep the box for the first month.

For warranty repairs after the return window, the retailer may have you ship the item back or may work with a local tech. Ask before you need it.

What arrives in the box

The guitar arrives set up for the factory, not for you. It has likely gone through several climate changes in transit, so let it sit in its case at room temperature for a day, then tune it and check it over. The guide on buying a guitar online walks through what to inspect in the first hour, and setup basics covers the adjustments that usually follow.

Amps are a separate question. European models are often built for 230 volts, so confirm the store is sending you a 120-volt US version. The listing normally says so; if it does not, ask before ordering.

Should you do it

If the model you want is available domestically at a similar price, buy it locally and skip the wait. If it is only sold in Europe, or the price difference is meaningful even after a few percent of duty, ordering overseas is a normal thing that plenty of American players do every month. Keep your expectations realistic about timing, keep a little margin for duty, and it goes smoothly.