Import Duty on Clavinovas?

[gurneets]

Does anyone know what the custom formalities are if I order a CVP-204 from Germany? And how much import duty will I have to pay here in the US?

Thanks,
Gurneet

[zeeshan]

gurneets,

I noticed that you have purchased your cvp from Europe. If you have already received it, will share your experiance with us.

I am also getting ready to buy the cvp201 or the 203 and would like to know if it is worth importing it from outside the US.

[cgsnd]

I purchased my CVP 205 from Belguim. Saved Lots of money. Theshipping to the United States (through Fed Ex) was around $800 American dollars. Considering I got the unit for the price, it was worth it. Actually Fed EX brought it right to my door. They took care of legalities of gettting it through customs (this costs a little more but in the end it was much more convient then having to go to my local airport and clearing the box through customes).
Keep a couple of things in mind when you but a unit from outside the states, first is you will need a volatge converter. Most European countries use 230 volts, and their units are setup for that. It's really no big deal, Radio Shack sells a transformer that you plug into the wall, then plug the piano into. The other thing to consider, (and I didn't knwo this until after the unit was delivered and living in my house) is that none of the US dealers will service the unit shoudl it need it. I've had mine for a year now and have not had a lick of trouble with it, so again, it's nto that big a deal. There are some good deals in Europe, Just make sure your don't pay Euro tax (Europe's own tax which gets added in automatically over there). Good Luck

[ClavinovaGuy]

I bought my CVP-209 from Steve Loates' Keyboard Centre, and had it shipped to my door - they took care of everything. It cost me about $100 extra for home delivery. If memory serves me correctly, the duty from Canada was something like 5%. I cannot urge you strongly enough to check out the bottom line ordering from them, as the shipping, etc. from Europe is much higher. They are a first-class organization, and they stand behind the product.

[Monroe]

Look in the purchase experiance database in the message archives. You will see a lot of experiences people have had purchasing overseas. I just looked back at my posting for my purchase of a CVP207 from Germany and the customs rate was
5.3% of the cost of the instrument, in my case $158.

[Monroe]

Regarding the formalities portion of your question: The procedure is simple. You will go to the Airline freight office and pick up the paperwork for your clavinova. You then carry that to the customs office. (In most cases, it will be in or nearby the airport.) You pay your fee and Customs will give you clearance to pick up your clavinova. Take the paperwork back to the airlines and they will load your clavinova into you van or pickup.
If you want it delivered directly to your house the shippers, for a small additional fee, will take care of this for you.