overseas purchase questions

[Donn]

Not much to worry about, from my experience, which amounts to two helicons and an accordion. One of the helicons came air freight, and in that case you can expect to visit customs while you're picking it up. I forget if they had a nominal fee for me, or if the value was below their threshold. The other two came via postal service or similar carriers, and if any special fees were paid the sellers took care of it.

[iiipopes]

There is a chance you will have to pay duty COD. You can visit the US Customs website to determine what the ceiling value is for duty-free, and if you do get charged import duty, what to expect. I think it is a percentage based on purchase price. It is also different for different countries, some the normal rate, others a higher rate, others a special or free rate. It has been so long I don't remember.

US Customs web site:
http://www.cbp.gov/travel/international ... -duty-info" target="_blank

USITC schedule for musical instruments (index number 9205 for brass instruments) :
http://www.usitc.gov/publications/docs/ ... 401c92.pdf" target="_blank