In US buying from Thomann, item over $1K?

rsm
rsm
Well-known member
Anyone in the US buy something from Thomann over $1000? From what I can determine, anything over $800 - $1800 is subject to duty/import taxes, around 4%; some products are not subject to duty; average tax is 5.63%, but can range from 0% to $37.5%...and no one can give me a straight answer.

Some people don't get charged at all, while others do. Item is much cheaper from Thomann than in the US, but not if I have to pay high import taxes and duty fees.
 
I always heard keep it under 800. Sorry bro not sure. I have only done one international before and it was under 800. Ordered from Japan on the weekend and had it delivered the next Wednesday or Thursday. I was shocked. Japanese take customer service seriously.
 
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If you do get taxed you'll only pay on the difference. Not the full $1000, but $200. Really depends on what it is, but guitars are like 3%, whereas electronics are around 6%, iirc. Beware that you will get european voltage if ordering a synth or most electronics and all amps from them... They also won't ship a lot of products to the US due to manufacturer contracts. I've had them use both DHL and UPS. I've heard horror stories with the latter on fees, but never personally experienced any problems. YMMV.
 
NowYou'rePlayingWithPower said:
If you do get taxed you'll only pay on the difference. Not the full $1000, but $200. Really depends on what it is, but guitars are like 3%, whereas electronics are around 6%, iirc. Beware that you will get european voltage if ordering a synth or most electronics and all amps from them... They also won't ship a lot of products to the US due to manufacturer contracts. I've had them use both DHL and UPS. I've heard horror stories with the latter on fees, but never personally experienced any problems. YMMV.
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It's about $1K cheaper ($1,444) to order from Thomann, vs US ($2459) dealers...I submitted the order to Thomann, but they put it on hold for me to confirm I acknowledge import taxes, duties and fees may apply and are my responsibility. The shipping is with UPS.
 
rsm said:
It's about $1K cheaper ($1,444) to order from Thomann, vs US ($2459) dealers...I submitted the order to Thomann, but they put it on hold for me to confirm I acknowledge import taxes, duties and fees may apply and are my responsibility. The shipping is with UPS.
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You could call/email and ask them to use DHL? What is the item if you don't mind me asking? Also probably ask them what the HTS code they're using is so you know exactly what the taxes are going to be.
 
NowYou'rePlayingWithPower said:
You could call/email and ask them to use DHL? What is the item if you don't mind me asking? Also probably ask them what the HTS code they're using is so you know exactly what the taxes are going to be.
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The HTS code is 92071080 - not finding it in the HTS system -
https://hts.usitc.gov/search?query=9207.10.00

HTS Code: 9207.10.0080 - Keyboard Instruments, Other Than Accordions, Others​


it's a digital organ, and it includes the US power cable, 100v - 240v range.
Not much DHL around here; what is the issue with UPS international?
 
Looks like it's 5.4%?! Although the .80 isn't listed.

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rsm said:
thanks. even worst case (40%) is less than in the US. sounds crazy $1,444 (Germany) vs $2,449 in the US!
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40% is only if it's coming from Russia and friends. Cuba, North Korea, or Belarus.
 
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rsm said:
It's about $1K cheaper ($1,444) to order from Thomann, vs US ($2459) dealers...I submitted the order to Thomann, but they put it on hold for me to confirm I acknowledge import taxes, duties and fees may apply and are my responsibility. The shipping is with UPS.
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What you buying?
 
rsm said:
unfortunately it's not in stock, another week is the estimate; but the price difference is still a shock; even used are going for more than the new price at Thomann. Too good to be true, so I hope I don't get burned here!
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I mean there are some groups online or even an app, I think it is name Grabr to get someone coming your way bring you desired thingy. So might want to research it.

It is very possible to be true if you are good at evading customs haha

My preferred strings cost half the price they do in US as they are Austrian made my aunt grabs some for me when she comes to visit family. Probably similiar case with your organ.
 
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rsm said:
unfortunately it's not in stock, another week is the estimate; but the price difference is still a shock; even used are going for more than the new price at Thomann. Too good to be true, so I hope I don't get burned here!
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I've bought all kinds of things from them for cheaper than US. 100% satisfied and super fast shipping (usually a couple of days) It just goes to show if you look at Marshalls, Jacksons, Gibson, etc... they are cheaper there, but those as well as other manufactures won't let them sell back to the US. Greed.
It at least tells you that they can ship across the world, sell for 40% less than US and still make a profit, but God forbid you try and haggle with a dealer in the states who has whatever marked 2-3x cost...
 
NowYou'rePlayingWithPower said:
I've bought all kinds of things from them for cheaper than US. 100% satisfied and super fast shipping (usually a couple of days) It just goes to show if you look at Marshalls, Jacksons, Gibson, etc... they are cheaper there, but those as well as other manufactures won't let them sell back to the US. Greed.
It at least tells you that they can ship across the world, sell for 40% less than US and still make a profit, but God forbid you try and haggle with a dealer in the states who has whatever marked 2-3x cost...
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Agreed!

I confirmed my order, which they'll get in the morning Germany time. I found a used one asking $2000 OBO and almost made an offer of $1700, but looked around again and found the Thomann new price at $1,444.

I'll post more details once it ships.
 
I have done it before and Thomann's customer service was pretty good about the whole thing. UPS ran the numbers and charged me a very reasonable import fee (it was like less than 50 bucks). I'd totally order from them again.
 
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