Much to my delight, I have recently had a letter from Geoff Wooff that my long wait is nearly over. By October, I should have my grubby paws on a nice ebony/nickel silver/mammoth ivory B set.
This is a hard question, but . . . how bad is it to get a set of pipes into Canada? I’m from the US, but I’m living in Toronto for 12 months. I had a NIGHTMARE with Customs Canada having a flute sent in that was being repaired in the US. I was finally able to satisfy them, but sheesh. To other American nationals: we have no idea of the meaning of beaurocracy. Canada is the Land of the Beaurocrat.
I know the ideal would be to go pick them up, but what’s second best? Have them sent to family in the US, or have them sent here?
Payment is worked out, so that headache is no problem.
Thanks, any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.
why was a flute such a problem? i can understand chemicals, medicine, dry goods or canned goods. but what is it about a musical instrument that puts it on custom’s radar in the first place?
Sturob, the conern is that you are robbing some hapless Canuck flute maker of his income by importing from the imperialist American flute making superpower that is trying to take over the entire flute making world (a load of flautulence, but there you have it).
The trick is to have the sender call it what it is (Musical Instrument) but put a ridiculously low value on it (never mind that you had to go to specialist broker to get the overseas shipping insurance on it). There are no catalogues or import schedules where they (Customs) can go to verify the price, so you are on your honour.
Don’t want to set anyone up here, but maybe if you put a post on the main whistle forum to explain your dilemma, one of those spoilt rotten Chiffleniks who are currently living it up in Ireland would take pity on you and be willing to take delivery from Geoff and bring the pipes back as part of their baggage when they travel back to North America.
No no, my good friend, were it only that easy. The customs declaration does not suffice for our friends at Customs Canada. They want detailed commercial invoices for the shipment, including receipts. So, you have to lie on several things. . . that’s all.
As a fine, upstanding Beaurocra- uh, Canadian, I should let you know that the next time you’re getting something sent into Canada, have the sender list it as a USED instrument, or even an antique, because Customs and The Other Rotten Bas****s aren’t supposed to bill you for anything used or antique. Just get the bills, etc, sent in a letter afterwards if you need to. I have also been told that -God knows why- Bagpipes aren’t taxed, but you should check that one out with T.O.R.B.
Mark
By the way, Stuart, if you move to Scarborough you aren’t from Toronto and you never have to say you’re SARy. (sorry, couldn’t resist.)
an idea. you’ve paid g-d knows what for this beautiful instrument and waited g-d knows how long. from what i remember, you are not cursed with a profession which pays poorly. why not just go and pick it up in person? that way you can at least shepard it through the process in person. also, if you hand around the old country for a week, play in a session, take a lesson, and practice alot alot, it will not technically be a "new " instrument when you get to canada. maybe that helps. maybe they will not even ask. musicians travel with their stuff all the time.
Stuart, when you finally get it all sorted out and get them, don’t forget to put a picture of them on the pics of your pipes thread. I can’t wait to see 'em.
I just don’t know that I’ll have the time to go to Ireland any time in the near future. I could probably get a good airfare to go in the late fall or winter, but . . . hmm.
Hey Stu-When I received my used practice set through the mail in 91, those bas***ds at Canada Customs charged me duty and GST (250.00!!).
Since then I’ve had everything sent to my Mom in Texas and she remails it to me as a gift under 100.00…This has worked so far, no problems.
Tansy…or you could just take that beautiful sailboat over and cruise up to the dock, and summons a limo to escort you to the nearest pub for a pre-purification ritual, notify the press, then ease over to the desired location, pick up the desired merchandise, disguise it in an old leather bound suite case, order a few extra reeds (watch and learn), play a few for the water, and then set sail for Americay…all the humidity you’ll ever need.
I once played my set on a party boat (36 ft sail boat) and it was nice.
Congratulations! You have no idea how your world is about to change
When my set was ready I went over to pick it up… also a good excuse for me to see the family. It’s a great experience in itself… you finally get to his door and see the pipes laying on the kitchen table ready for their new owner. When I picked up my set I could hear Geoff out the back in his workshop still putting the bellows together.. it was great to see him working on the finishing touches first hand.
Anyway… go and pick them up. Flights will be about half their current price after October 14th, I believe that’s the cut-off date.
aye lorenzo that would be a real adventure, but it would take a better man than i to set out across the atlantic in that little boat
i think most of us are smuglars at heart.
it goes way back
tansy
stuart,
i know you mean well but i wouldnae take burbon. i don’t know jeffs taste but i would think a 12+ year scotch or irish would be more along his lines.
maybe you should pm peter leban on this matter, then he’d probably be there too
tansy
