Shipping Guitar from US to UK

[Craig Bumgarner]

I’m working on a commission for a customer in the UK and will be shipping to him when completed. I’ve never shipped outside of North America and am exploring the details of shipping to the UK. I’m vaguely familiar with CITES, Customs and VAT. Nothing too exotic other than ebony and MOP. The rest of the components are domestic woods (walnut, poplar, spruce). I searched the MIMF Forum and found useful information but it is from 2015-2016. Wonder if anyone can provide an update?

Related question: Anyone have experience with separate shipping insurance? Shipping is the most nerve wrapping part of this otherwise relaxing business and what insurance is offered by carriers seem like smoke and mirrors. I had a full blown business insurance policy for a while which provided this but it was expensive and i dropped it during the downturn during Covid.

[Frank Dryer III]

I had an experience only with shipping from Germany to US. I've made an order on thomann.de shop. Maybe you can ask them as consultation about shipping (export@thomann.de)

[Bob Orr]

I may be wrong but don't think you can ship MOP out of the USA but that may be raw material rather than dots or inlay on a guitar. Just know I cannot buy MOP blanks from US suppliers and I am in UK.

This company in Brighton, UK imports luthier made instruments from the US and may have some info on their website or you could email them.
https://www.theacousticmusicco.co.uk/