How bad is this? How much would it cost me? (moving some stuff...)

[Not a Tailor 1,370]

If you take something to the USA, on a visit to leave there, lets say as a gift, you legally MUST declare that item.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/975/~/visitors-gift-exemptions

http://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/kbyg/must-declare

Not mentioning something is lying by omission.

They can take $100 worth of items to leave with their spouse. anything over that worth would be charged duty. Which is why the OP should take the two "worthless" items and make sure their value is under $100 (combined) vs the expensive guitar.

Well, the issue with taking the mandolin now is that I can't get a case for it. I plan to carve out foam and put the mandolin into it, tape it all thoroughly, put it in a box and tape some more and ship it. They literally do not make a case for it.

And they are *literally* worthless. As in my grandmother took them to be appraised and she was told 'this would be worth 10 000 dollars (the violin) but it has a hairline crack in the back that makes it worthless. It's repairable and will be playable again if you put money into it, but it will never have a dollar value one cent higher than the money you spend on it.' The mandolin had a very low 'if it wasn't damaged' dollar value.

The problem with having ten years to move is that I don't have family. Only my grandmother and she doesn't take visitors. At all. So it would be preferred if I didn't send anything to her place. I have to move everything at once because I don't own enough stuff to bother having a storage unit, so it's just 'downsize and move.'

How much money do they usually charge for duties for something like a guitar, anyway?

[aaron2020 11,651]

Well, the issue with taking the mandolin now is that I can't get a case for it. I plan to carve out foam and put the mandolin into it, tape it all thoroughly, put it in a box and tape some more and ship it. They literally do not make a case for it.

And they are *literally* worthless. As in my grandmother took them to be appraised and she was told 'this would be worth 10 000 dollars (the violin) but it has a hairline crack in the back that makes it worthless. It's repairable and will be playable again if you put money into it, but it will never have a dollar value one cent higher than the money you spend on it.' The mandolin had a very low 'if it wasn't damaged' dollar value.

The problem with having ten years to move is that I don't have family. Only my grandmother and she doesn't take visitors. At all. So it would be preferred if I didn't send anything to her place. I have to move everything at once because I don't own enough stuff to bother having a storage unit, so it's just 'downsize and move.'

How much money do they usually charge for duties for something like a guitar, anyway?

ZERO. There is no duty for a used guitar that you own and intended for your personal use.

Bring your instruments. No need to declare them. No duties.

If you want to declare them, then go ahead. Still no duties. Just make sure you tell them that you are not selling them.

[nightingalejules 678]

NEVER LIE TO IMMIGRATON!!!!!

Why should OP make up a lie? Who's the luthier that will do the repairs?????

Sometimes, there is nothing exciting about a situation. Until someone creates suspicion with lies and half truths.

All the OP has to do is say they are his personal effects and he intends to leave them with his wife. That's all. Nothing exciting.

I didn't say to lie. It isn't a lie. But I also know that people are often asked to play the musical instruments they bring with them. OP can't play them because they're broken and need repair. Customs may suspect they're being used to transport drugs and might destroy them, looking. Also, OP may be suspected of coming to the US to work (ie play music gigs) illegally, which could get him denied. Again, instruments are not playable, because they need to be repaired. OP intends to get the instruments repaired in the US.

Seriously, I wouldn't bring them until immigration time, without a good explanation. With musical instruments, I've heard too many stories of it going very wrong.

[sirius 32]

lol. Talk about making a mountain out of a molehill. Take your instruments with you dude. Nobody will ask you or care what happens to them. Sometimes these forums become a fantastic medium of unnecessary stress.

[NikLR 13,232]

Well, the issue with taking the mandolin now is that I can't get a case for it. I plan to carve out foam and put the mandolin into it, tape it all thoroughly, put it in a box and tape some more and ship it. They literally do not make a case for it.

And they are *literally* worthless. As in my grandmother took them to be appraised and she was told 'this would be worth 10 000 dollars (the violin) but it has a hairline crack in the back that makes it worthless. It's repairable and will be playable again if you put money into it, but it will never have a dollar value one cent higher than the money you spend on it.' The mandolin had a very low 'if it wasn't damaged' dollar value.

The problem with having ten years to move is that I don't have family. Only my grandmother and she doesn't take visitors. At all. So it would be preferred if I didn't send anything to her place. I have to move everything at once because I don't own enough stuff to bother having a storage unit, so it's just 'downsize and move.'

How much money do they usually charge for duties for something like a guitar, anyway?

Doing more reading, they wouldn't charge you anything as it looks like you'd get $800 duty free?

You could always call the CBP at some random airline POE and ask too.

[Ontarkie 14,467]

I think with this sorta thing is it will really depend on the CBP another member here was turned around and told they could not bring their things until they had their visa. It was just a few things also.

[Ontarkie 14,467]

I think with this sorta thing is it will really depend on the CBP another member here was turned around and told they could not bring their things until they had their visa. It was just a few things also.