Hello friends. I have recently purchased a "Schecter Synyster Custom Guitar" from a US seller for $1000 with free Hard-Case and free shipping. He'll lower it's value to $125 and will send by USPS. My question is, will the guitar be delivered to my home by Indian postal service or do I have to go to the post office or customs office to pick it up? And how much customs duty I may have to pay? Thanks you.
USPS priority can only track your guitar till the point of customs. you'll see the status "into foreign customs" and perhaps "out of foreign customs", but it could repeat itself depending on where the package arrives - bombay or delhi. i've been told all packages for EMS speedpost (USPS partner) go to delhi first. regarding the customs procedure itself - there's nothing that can be said as such. if the customs officer on duty believes the value declared, you're crystal. if he is suspicious and decides to research it for any reason or is not sure, your package will be held up at customs and eventually, you will be informed of the same. you'll have to go to customs to pick it up and pay the additional duty. only UPS, DHL, Fedex etc. do the clearing for you and make you pay cash on delivery. good luck. the going rate is 35%.
Thanks for the information, mate. And btw, he's sending it by USPS Express not priority. I hope that it gets cleared by the customs. *fingers crossed* And which of these provide the best "UPS, DHL, Fedex or USPS"? because my friend is also thinking of importing a gibson from US.
fedex i think, but keep in mind that fedex is somewhat more expensive than UPS/DHL are MUCH more expensive than USPS. fedex is bloody fast and reliable though.
@Flood.. Oh thanks again, that's why the seller was asking me to add extra $50 for shipping via DHL. @insatanity.. I purchased my schecter from gearhounds.com, they offer free international shipping for items over $999. Proguitarshop.com also offers free international shipping.