Bring guitars through customs

[The Scarecrow]

Hi all, hope everyone is having a good holiday season thus far. I've been a bit silent on the boards as late due to one thing or another so it's nice to get back to posting again.

Anywho, I'm off to the US in about two weeks to dirty old LA for a three week jaunt up the west coast. Whilst I'm there, I'm hoping to capitalise on the extended selection of semi-rarer instruments that may be available - not sure what I'm looking for yet, but I'd probably be swinging towards a Jazzmaster/Jaguar, LP double cut or 70's Strat if I can find one for the right price. However, having never brought axes back from abroad, I'm unsure how it works customs-declaration-wise.

Anyone care to fill me in on what I need to do, aside from buying a decent flight case?

Does anyone know of any good guitar stores in either Hollywood/Burbank areas? I figure I can pick up a couple of decent pedals too whilst i'm there.

[AmpShop]

Chances are you won't get hit up by NZ Customs to pay any GST on entry. If you do, make sure you have the invoice with you, that'll speed things up.

If you buy a guitar with a mahogany neck, loosen the strings before you fly!

Go to about 7000-ish on Sunset Blvd, there's quite a few shops in that area worth a look.

TrueTone Music in Santa Monica is also well worth a look into, plus it's a nice place to hang for an afternoon.

Have a good trip!

[DaNextSlash]

Im off to Japan soon and hoping to get some goodies.
Are we talking about carrying the guitars as personal luggage or putting it through??

Which is more "evasive"?

[thehenderson]

I carried over a bass from australia, no one said anything

Have a good trip!

[slash-ed]

Me too, every trip back n forth between Malaysia I've had a guitar, boxed, gig bag or case, not a peep from any airport people.

[Cabb]

If you're worried just take an old looking case with you

(and put the new gat in it etc.)

[rocklander]

you could always consider taking a pint of BG's relicing fluid with you to splash on the case (make it look like you've had it for a LONG time), but I suspect you'd never get it past the WOMD police

[The Scarecrow]

If you're worried just take an old looking case with you

(and put the new gat in it etc.)

Touche' - I was thinking of asking the retailer for the shittiest case available.

Cool suggestions and words of advice guys, many kudos. I'll get some good pics for the GAS file.

[Bg]

I wouldn't even bother with an old case, I've brought a few home now and have never had any problems.

[Hellhound_in_my_ale]

Some tips from Mr Glyn http://mrglyn.blog.com/ - maybe take the neck off and bring it on as hand luggage if you decide on a strat? I'd hate too see a big dent on my lake placid blue beauty

[DaNextSlash]

Is a guitar in a hardcase too big for carry-on lugguage?

[Bg]

Is a guitar in a hardcase too big for carry-on lugguage?

a definite yes

[naphazoline]

failing all the grand advice that's been posted so far, get a bogus reciept made up to say you brought it second hand. and make sure you remove any identification that says it's new.

if you really want to get tricky, send it back in a packing space on a ship, and get it sent straight to your door.takes a bit of a wait,but i know some one who brings all sorts of stuff back from his home country (brand new stuff) all the time, and never gets checked. that includes, smokes, piss, clothes, all manner of things.

good luck, and have a good trip.

[raz]

Is a guitar in a hardcase too big for carry-on lugguage?

a definite yes

There used to be a funny arrangement with the airlines in the US if you were a member of the Guild of American Luthiers, you could take take a guitar as cabin luggage. I think that's gone well and truly since 9/11 though.

[slash-ed]

Is a guitar in a hardcase too big for carry-on lugguage?

a definite yes

I've taken an LP sized case before without trouble.