battler - Posted - 07/30/2013:  23:31:24

Hi all,

total newbie here. Long time finger picker on the guitar and now I'm getting stuck into the banjo. I have been doing a lot of research on this site and think its excellent!  I have been looking at various banjos and have kind of fallen in love with the Recording King RK-35 and RK-36. For some reason (I suspect there is a reason) these banjos are not available here in Australia. I have looked into getting one sent over and it appears RK-35s are not in stock and banjo.com and Janet Davis Music Company have RK-36s ready to go. I'm happy to get the RK-36 and my finger is on the trigger. It works out at around $1250 US with a case however banjo.com have talked about the new US fisheries and wildlife regulations that may have costs due to mother of pearl. I'm also going to get slugged at this end with duties and taxes so with the crappy Australian dollar it's getting pretty expensive. They have the RK-80 here in Australia which I think will end up cheaper than getting the RK-36. The problem is I don't want to get something as fancy as the RK-80 as I really like the simple look of the RK-35/36. It's basically all about looks.

If anyone has experience with shipping banjos from the US to Australia I would love some advice or info on the additional costs above shipping.

im starting to think I may be better off buying a banjo that's already here. 

Thanks for reading and for any help/advice.

jwoods - Posted - 07/31/2013:  00:16:26

You might want to PM Greg Rich and see what all your options are in Oz.

banjohangout.org/myhangout/hom...p?id=4821

Dingoman25 - Posted - 07/31/2013:  02:53:18

G'day Blair,

I ordered a Deering Sierra from Elderly's last week.

They sent it via FedEx International Priority, at a cost of USD245.

Left Michigan Monday evening our time, was at the depot in Canberra Thurs 3am.

On the Wed afternoon I was rung up to pay the GST and Customs duty (total of AUD322) - did it via AmEx.

Best to give a delivery address you'll be at during normal work hours. I had it delivered to me at work.

Hope this helps, and I'm happy to answer any other questions you may have if I can.

cheers,

Chris.

Edited by - Dingoman25 on 07/31/2013 02:56:23

pjfolino - Posted - 07/31/2013:  03:36:44

The Aussie taxes work out about 15%-ish if the total value (incl transport) is over $1K. I've been blessed with good luck - I've had 3 banjos (Deering Eagle, R35, Goodtime) sent from the US and the good retailers of the States have delivered it quickly and safely each time - I used Zepp and Banjo Hut. Zepp had a good deal on shipping at the time (about $80) and it took just under 2 weeks to deliver - not sure if they still have that. Banjo Hut was around $150 - same delivery time.

You can get lucky and not have to pay the taxes - sometimes it slips through customs - but don't count on it.

BTW way - the RKs are amazing banjos for the $$ - can't go wrong. Since they're made in Asia you'd think they would export to us. Not sure why they don't.

Edited by - pjfolino on 07/31/2013 03:43:08

prewartb3 - Posted - 07/31/2013:  03:51:16

I heard from a US shipper a few years ago AU would accept any product that was verified & documented made in the USA the Aussie taxes were not paid. Ask your customs department if this is still in effect.

BDCA - Posted - 07/31/2013:  05:23:07

I checked and the only USPS service available for a box over 36 inches is Global Express Guaranteed 1-3 day delivery and it's the same price as Fedex: +- $250. FedEx manages the package from the Local PO to the GPO in Oz. I would not recommend USPS over FedEx at the same price.

Cya!

Bob

Grum - Posted - 07/31/2013:  05:53:30

I bought my Stelling Masterflower from Janet Davis and had it delivered to my workplace. If I remember correctly it was 10% duty on the cost after the first $1,000. Plus about $350 transport. It arrived and it was still in tune!!

I've also bought a Tranjo but it was less than $1,000 so no duty to pay.

The Stelling was on special so the duty and postage brought it back up to full price - but I had it in my hands in Australia. 

The only way to avoid this is to go on a holiday to the US, buy the banjo of your dreams, play it for the rest of the holiday, then bring it back with you on the plane as your luggage (leave your dirty washing in the US!) This way there's no duty to pay because the instrument is "second hand".

battler - Posted - 07/31/2013:  06:17:55

Thanks everyone! Appreciate the help. I'm waiting on a few emails then its go time. Can't stop thinking about getting this dang banjo !

Fathand - Posted - 07/31/2013:  09:17:20

In the US The RK36 is $999 with Case, DVD, Picks, etc at Banjohut thebanjohut.com/recording_king..._ban.html

International Dealers are listed on RK Website: Here is the Australian dealer

Dynamic Music 2-6 Short St Brookvale, NSW 2100, Australia info@dynamic.com.au dynamic.com.au

Since RKs are made in China, is there a Chinese supplier that might work out cheaper? Maybe Japanese Supplier or other country closer to Oz?

tassie wombat - Posted - 08/01/2013:  04:17:40

i brought my rk75 from banjo.com a couple of years ago,and from memory the banjo and case was about $1450 usd but once delivered with freight, import duty(items over $1000 you pay import duty)and gst i think it ended up costing me a tad over $2000 aud,nice banjo though!

prewartb3 - Posted - 08/01/2013:  05:45:40

quote:

---

Originally posted by BDCA

 

I checked and the only USPS service available for a box over 36 inches is Global Express Guaranteed 1-3 day delivery and it's the same price as Fedex: +- $250. FedEx manages the package from the Local PO to the GPO in Oz. I would not recommend USPS over FedEx at the same price.

 

Cya!

Bob

---

Bob what size box & weight did you calculate for that price. I can't seem to come close to that to AU. What am I doing wrong?????

BDCA - Posted - 08/01/2013:  08:50:46

25 lbs and 40" x 20" x 8" from AZ to OZ. What are you coming up with?

                                                                                                                                                                                              @ Post Office                   Online

Global Express Guaranteed® (GXG)** Maximum Value for Contents: $2,499.00 See Service Guide Before Mailing Min. length 9-1/2", height 5-1/2" Max. length 46", width 35", height 46" and max. length plus girth combined 108"

1 - 3 business days

$312.25

$274.78

Cya!

Bob

Edited by - BDCA on 08/01/2013 09:05:30

battler - Posted - 08/01/2013:  14:42:18

Hi again
Thanks for the help guys.
I'm getting confused now!
I've been quoted shipping of $255 Fed Ex through Elderlys and Banjo.com
$299 Global Express through Janet Davis Music Company
$120 USPS through Banjo Hut
And Capos emailed and said total cost was $1385 which for RK-35 which when I did the math put shipping at $485. They didn't tell me the shipping company.
Oh wait now I have email from Capos saying they can match shipping quote of Banjo Hut.

I'm not sure if anyone has had similar experiences but I'm torn between the cheaper quotes and say Janet Davis who have been really helpfull. Capos have been VERY helpful (eager?) and I've mostly felt like an inconvenience to Banjo Hut rather than a potential customer.
Thanks again guys.

BDCA - Posted - 08/01/2013:  15:02:04

As far as I can tell, the ONLY service available to OZ with a banjo with case  sized box is Global priority. If there is no case, you might be able to get away with +- $200. I do not see how they can quote $125, which could only be some form of surface post, and again, not listed with a box the size of the banjo.

Before I'd opt for that, I''d make sure what it actually is.

Good luck!

Bob

battler - Posted - 08/01/2013:  15:24:58

Thanks Bob,
I tried to get some info from Banjo Hut and got a one line email "We ship USPS Priority Mail"
Waiting to hear back from Capos

prewartb3 - Posted - 08/01/2013:  17:06:59

quote:

---

Originally posted by BDCA

 

25 lbs and 40" x 20" x 8" from AZ to OZ. What are you coming up with?

                                                                                                                                                                                              @ Post Office                   Online

Global Express Guaranteed® (GXG)** Maximum Value for Contents: $2,499.00 See Service Guide Before Mailing Min. length 9-1/2", height 5-1/2" Max. length 46", width 35", height 46" and max. length plus girth combined 108"

1 - 3 business days

$312.25

$274.78

 

Cya!

Bob

---

I went to the PO and UPS today. For a box 46 x 20 x 8 at 28 pounds with $2500 Ins from TX to AU the Postal Service was $367 Global Express Guaranteed at 10 days and UPS at 5-7 days was $688. I was told @ the UPS Store if I packed the instrument it would need to be double boxed with packing in between the boxes or good luck winning a possible damage claim if there was one.

It may be cheaper to send the neck separately from the pot

jwoods - Posted - 08/01/2013:  17:19:24

So, no RK-35's/36's anywhere in Australia?

Have you checked with Greg Rich?

Edited by - jwoods on 08/01/2013 17:21:02

BDCA - Posted - 08/01/2013:  17:28:08

It may be cheaper to send the neck separately from the pot

I have done this shipping banjos to Europe and it is a lot cheaper and safer. The neck will fit in a 4 inch tube and the pot in a 14" x 14" x 10" box.

And you can use Priority Mail

The neck is first, then the pot:

battler - Posted - 08/01/2013:  17:53:35

Hi Jim,
I have sent Greg Rich a private message through here, also the importers here in Aus.
Waiting to here back..


Thanks BDCA
I'm reasonably happy with the $120 shipping, even the $255 I would pay.
I had a look on this site which is a gold mine of good info and USPS seems reliable..
I'm not keen on having the neck and pot separately shipped as I'm pretty new to banjo and want to get it all in one piece !

BDCA - Posted - 08/01/2013:  18:35:34

The problem is I DON'T see any option to ship a banjo to Australia for $120. Each country has specific rules. Do confirm with them that they can, in fact, ship Priority to Oz.

Cya!

Bob

battler - Posted - 08/01/2013:  19:14:56

Thanks Bob.
Well I'm trying to get info out banjo hut but they aren't very forthcoming.
I can't see why they would quote the shipping cost and then not be able to follow through.
I assume they know what they are doing!
But assuming can be troublesome ( and make an ass out of u and me)

BDCA - Posted - 08/01/2013:  19:41:15

Many other countries offer Priority shipping with a banjo sized box but not Oz..

Confirm it before you order. Make sure the banjo wont end up on a banana boat!

Cya!

Bob

jwoods - Posted - 08/01/2013:  20:53:40

quote:

---

Originally posted by battler

 

Thanks Bob.

Well I'm trying to get info out banjo hut but they aren't very forthcoming.

I can't see why they would quote the shipping cost and then not be able to follow through.

I assume they know what they are doing!

But assuming can be troublesome ( and make an ass out of u and me)

---

You might want to read this thread from 7/13 on Banjo Hut before going any further with them...

banjohangout.org/topic/266762

wizofos - Posted - 08/02/2013:  15:32:57

Just a thought concerning Bob (BDCA) comment about shipping it in 2 pieces. Since it is not a complete instrument it may be listed as parts not a complete instrument.

I don't know about OZ but years ago if you bought pearls in Japan the jewelers cut off the clasps so they were considered unstrung pearls not a necklace. The store would hand you the clasps and you had a jeweler put them on for a few bucks. This applied to Motorcycle parts and many other things. So if listed as 'banjo parts' the import duties and taxes were a lot lower. In many cases no duties at all as they are not a complete instrument.  You might check that out.

BUT

You have to put it together.

battler - Posted - 08/04/2013:  09:06:26

Hi again,
I have ended up with a solution to my problem which is to ship the banjo from the UK instead. Shipping was 58 Euros or 77 USD
Kieran Moloney at Moloneys Music Store in Ireland has sorted me out. He came highly recommended as he is a luthier himself and I have been told he sets the banjos up very well.
It has worked out much cheaper doing it this way which means I also get to avoid import duties in Australia.
Thanks to everyone for your help!

Regards,
Blair

BDCA - Posted - 08/04/2013:  09:29:26

I have been in Kieran's shop.  Are you shipping from the UK or Ireland? Are there no import duties between the EU and OZ?

Thanks!

Bob

battler - Posted - 08/04/2013:  14:31:29

Hi Bob,
Sorry my mistake Ireland is not part of the UK...
The banjo will be shipped from Ireland!
Because the total cost is below 1000 AUD I don't have to pay any duties or our GST When I import. I received an email from our customs department which verified that.
There's is a VAT (value added tax) that affects Ireland but from what I can tell it doesn't apply when exporting.

Cheers
Blair