Customs, Duties & TaxesUpdated 12 days ago

We ship to 100+ countries. How import charges work depends on where your order is going, so start with the section that applies to you.

US deliveries: we cover the tariff

If your order ships to a US address, you pay nothing extra. We cover the US import tariff ourselves, including on kits that ship from our international warehouse and on pre-orders. There is no customs bill to settle, and the price you paid at checkout is the full cost.

This surprises people, so it is worth stating plainly: even when your kit ships from our international warehouse, the tariff is on us, not on you.

If a carrier ever does send you a charge on a US delivery, forward it to [email protected] and we will take care of it.

Everything below applies to deliveries outside the US.

1) Who pays customs charges outside the US?

• Recipient is responsible: Any import duties, VAT/GST, brokerage or handling fees are not included in our product prices or “free shipping” offer and must be paid by the recipient to the carrier or customs office.
• Currency & amounts: Fees vary by country, product value, materials, and the carrier’s brokerage rules.

2) How are duties & taxes calculated?

• Declared value: We declare the order value (product price paid, excluding discounts that don’t reduce the transaction value per local rules).
• Commodity classification: Charges are based on the HS/tariff code and your country’s tax rates (e.g., VAT/GST). Wood species and electronics may have specific rules.
• Carrier fees: Some carriers add brokerage/clearance fees for processing the import on your behalf.

3) When are duties & taxes collected?

• Before delivery: The carrier may contact you to collect fees online or at the door.
• At pickup: If your parcel is held at a local facility, fees may be due upon collection.

4) Customs processing & delays

• Inspection times: Customs processing can add time to delivery estimates.
• Documentation: Please respond promptly to any requests from your customs office or the carrier (e.g., ID/tax number or proof of purchase) to avoid delays.

5) Refused, unpaid or returned shipments

If you refuse to pay your local customs duties/taxes or do not collect your package from customs, the shipment may be returned to us or abandoned by the carrier.

• If you want it re-shipped: You’ll need to pay the new shipping cost before we send it again.
• If you no longer want it: If a package is returned due to non-payment or failure to claim, a USD $100 handling fee will be deducted from your refund to cover shipping and processing.
• Original shipping costs and any customs fees you paid are non-refundable.

Please check your country’s import rules before ordering to avoid unexpected charges or delays.

6) Tips to avoid surprises

• Check your country’s import rules for guitars, electronics and wood products before ordering.
• Have a valid phone number and email on the order so the carrier can reach you for payment/clearance.
• Track your parcel and watch for messages from the carrier regarding customs payment.

Questions?

If you’re unsure about import duties or taxes for your location, please contact our support team before placing your order.