Hi Guys, I have a question regarding carrying Electric guitars in a gigbag or Full size Acoustic guitars in a Hardshell case back to India from USA/Canada. If any one has done so, please let me know if they allow it as a carry on. Second, do the Customs officials in India hassle you? What are the rules for charging duties on Musical Instruments , if any? I will be traveling from Canada. Especially concerned about the Acoustic guitar as it is bigger and in a hard case, so overall much larger than a electric guitar in a gigbag. Thanks
yes you can carry guitars on a flight. i have done so multiple times. check an older thread here about this issue for more informtion.
Thanks Nandac. I read many threads and it gives me a good idea. I want to find the Indian Customs website and print their regulations so if some customs official hassles me I will just show them.
w w w.cbec.gov.in/ customs/ cst-0809/ chap-92 dot pdf guitar customs is only 10%? how come indian guitar sites charge so much more for guitars citing the reason as import duties?
American Airlines website specifically says that you can carry a guitar as cabin baggage as long as it can be "stowed in the overhead space". However, hostesses do stow them away safely but not in the overhead bins. At customs, you can declare the guitar (if it's bought sometime before) as for personal use and not new. I did not face any issue when I brought my Gibson from the states. Keep in mind that you might not be able to carry any further cabin baggage. It's best to call the airlines and confirm.
