Shipping pipes from Germany to USA

Uilleann Pipes
1

Does anyone have experience on best way to ship pipes from Germany to USA. I understand pipes are duty free. Is UPS or FedEx the easiest way?
Thanks,
John

2

Let me guess, the R. Charles halfset?

It got too high for me…

3

You understand the pipes are duty free to the US; I understand that pipes are duty free to the US. FedEx does not understand that pipes are duty free to the US. :imp:

I had a set shipped in from the UK, quoting chapter and verse with the correct commodity code for pipes on all the documents. They cleared it as a “woodwind instrument,” and I was charged a 4% tarriff.

FedEx is the easiest way to go IF you already have a FedEx account number (or trust the shipper enough to give them a credit card number).

Feel free to send me a PM or e-mail if you’d like further details/advice

Larry “No E” Dunn

4

It is the Roberts half set. I have a Roberts practice set that I have really enjoyed. Hopefully I can get it here without much pain and get a “dry reeds” into it. The Roberts reeds sound really good for 3-4 weeks before the two slips curl away from each other. One of those trade offs for living in the desert I guess.

5

I was thinking about buying that set, but not after it wen over 700 Euros

A local piper has a Roberts set, and that’s why I was looking at those…

enjoy.. and if you ever decide to get rid of them… :slight_smile:

6

On the commercial invoice, clearly identify the item as ‘bagpipes’. Also, flag that as NO DUTY IS DUE FOR BAGPIPES.

The easiest carrier is DHL - they maintain DHL offices worldwide. You are always dealing with a DHL office. FedEx, UPS use agents and a handoff occurs. Service to/from UK is pretty straightforward in any event.

7

Fed Ex is worthless in terms of duty charges. When I ordered A. Donax reeds from spain, they arrived via Fed Ex. A week later I received a letter asking for $432 (more than the reeds cost) in duty charges for xx# of music boxes. Do A.Donax reeds look like music boxes? No. Not a bit.

Dionys

8

I put this on the package along with the customs information and have yet to have a problem. The customs folks recognize the number.


HTS. CHAPTER 92 - MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND ACCESSORIES OF SUCH
ARTICLES
No. 9205.90.20 = Free.


Good luck,

Henry