Importing Gear

JamesW · Post by **JamesW** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 10:45 pm

I'm thinking about buying an amp online from the US and having it shipped here. Does anybody that has done something similar know what sort of tax issues that would come up and how much I'd be looking at paying?

DBM Music · Post by **DBM Music** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 10:56 pm

Theres GST.. 12.5%

You also need to buy a external transformer cos their power is different. What amp is it?

Cheers

ant · Post by **ant** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 11:04 pm

The shipping cost would be at least 200$ as well..
What amp are you thinking of bringing in?
And on the customs website
http://www.customs.govt.nz/importers/Pr ... harges.htm

It says 7% duty on amplifiers

Bluesbird · Post by **Bluesbird** » Thu Mar 31, 2005 11:35 pm

I wasn't charged any duty on my amp, which was a pleasant surprise, as I had allowed for the 7%. Just had to pay the GST.

If you're getting an amp from a small builder like I did (Victoria), you can have them make it with the correct transformer and power plug for NZ.

TMG 03 · Post by **TMG 03** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 9:21 am

GST is really all you pay. and Thats GST on the cost of the item and the shipping together.

But if you are saving a $1000 on the price whats a few hundred on duty?

goldtop0 · Post by **goldtop0** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 9:31 am

JamesW get an accurate freight quote from your supplier if it's a dealer as the cost is generally thru the roof for heavy things like amps sent per Airfreight or Fedex.
If you're getting it from an individual contact Fedex as they're really efficient and quick,but this costs a bit as a result.

DongHua · Post by **DongHua** » Fri Apr 01, 2005 11:59 am

external transformer is the pain, and will certainly cause some minor damage or problem, which is bad for a amp, because a 100w amp certainly will create more than 100wpower, external transformer is not a good solution for a amp at all unless you can get it custom made for 240v external transformer.

By the way, UPS in wellington is Shit! The always forget pickup the goods and deliver do the wrong address, always. Fedex is good.

JamesW · Post by **JamesW** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 3:27 pm

The website quoted $135US for shipping and I think they use UPS. The Amp I'm looking at is a Marshall AVT150H and I'd be saving about $800 on the cost of the amp, not including shipping.

Another option I'm considering is getting it sent via ground mail to my uncle in Houston, as they ship free within the US and getting him to send it to me.

If anyone has more info on the external transformer problem that would be helpful too.

ant · Post by **ant** » Sat Apr 02, 2005 5:44 pm

This may sound a bit snobby but I would go for an all valve amp if you are importing, you see marshall valvestates / AVT appear on trademe quite often - just pick one of these up..

For the un-enlightened, more watts does not equal better tone

I would seriously suggest comparing the AVT with some valve amps(turn them up a bit) before buying brand new, because you can pickup a 2nd hand valve amp for the price of the AVT..

JamesW · Post by **JamesW** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 12:01 am

I've been checking Trademe but haven't seen anything for a while.

As for getting an all valve amp. I prefer buying my gear new as it avoids inheriting any problems that the previous owner had and lets face getting new gear's much nicer that getting something "pre-loved.'

I like Marshalls so I'd prefer one over another brand and right now their valve amps aren't really in my price range though i'll keep an eye on Trademe for anything that might suit my needs.

goldtop0 · Post by **goldtop0** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 12:00 pm

If you do go ahead it can be a better option to get the power transformer rewound here to our 230 volt standard, costs around $150? I think.
And I have to agree with ant in suggesting an all valve amp rather than a valvestate purely on the basis of all around sound/tone,look on ebay for those.

gregtarr · Post by **gregtarr** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 5:01 pm

Mmmm. It's better to have an amp which is a bit buggy, but good sounding (with good resale) than an amp which is spanking new but sounds substandard, and the minute you take it out of the shop, you lose a third of it's value.

What problems have people had with second hand amps?

JamesW · Post by **JamesW** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 6:57 pm

The other guitarist in my band bought an amp from cash converters and had it crap out on him after a few weeks the guy that repaired it said it was completely screwed. I guess that bad experience shaped my view on second hand amps.

Red Fred · Post by **Red Fred** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 8:13 pm

Was it a Peavy?

angry_young_poet · Post by **angry_young_poet** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 7:38 am

no wonder.. cash converters.. sheeshh.. it was a disaster waiting to happen..

the only brand new amp i ever purchased was my Marshall Valvestate 15 watt practice amp almost 7 years ago, never purchased a new one since then.. and never had any problems..

let me go thru the list..
peavey bandit 112
marshall MG50
Vox Cambridge 30
Marshall JCM900
Vox AC-30
Marshall JMP50..

nope none of them have crapped up..