Best way to ship an SD10 to Norway

Jim Hussey · From: Reno, Nevada - USA

Hilsen.
I'm heading for Norway and I want to take my SD 10. I have a flight case but wish to avoid bringing the guitar with me as luggage. If I ship it to a family member over there, will they have to pay duty? If I use their address and ship it to myself, can I avoid the duty? Suggestions welcome.
Takk

Bent Romnes · From: London,Ontario, Canada

Jim, If I understand you correctly, you want to take your steel with you when you visit Norway, in other words you are not selling and shipping it.

The easiest way is for you to check your steel as part of your luggage. That's what I did when I brought one over there in 2010.
With the new luggage regulations I was only allowed one checked piece of luggage @23 kg - 50 lb.
My SD 10 was just over that so I put the pedal bar, legs and rods in my large suitcase. then checked the 2 pieces as luggage and paid for the one extra piece which amounted to about $105
Your S10 might get in well under the 50 lbs so you send the pedal bar etc with the steel. If you don't want to pay for extra luggage like I did, you pack your carry-on with as much as you can of essentials.

When you land at Gardermoen (or any airport), you go thru the GREEN doors(nothing to declare) at customs. They still might stop you, seeing you lugging an odd shaped "suit case". But they are very nice and understanding when you tell them that it is your own guitar and not one you are selling.

Plus, you are allowed a tax and duty-free limit of kr 6000 (approx. $1000) All the times - must be 20 - that I have entered Norway, never once have I been stopped in customs.

I got ahead of myself. When checking in, make sure you put your guitar on the Fragile belt. That way it will be handled more carefully.

Get on your Airline's web site and learn the rules.
What city are you going to?
Have a great time!

Sorry, I read S10 instead of SD10...get yourself a large suitcase for the pedal bar etc.
Ha det gøy!
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Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Hey Jim. They weigh less if you set them up the correct way. The DAY way. Laughing

Personal, private joke guys.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting.

Michael Hummel · From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Here's what I base my logic (albeit, flawed) on. I have a D10 Carter with 9 pedals and 9 knee levers, and Jim has an Emmons Push Pull with 8 pedals and 5 knee levers, and his guitar is heavier than mine. I have the day setup on mine, and he has "the other one" on his. That must be the reason for the weight difference. Laughing

Again, just joking. Jim is actually one of my very best friends. I've been trying to get him to leave the Zum at home, cram me into it's case, and send me to Norway.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting.

Jim Hussey · From: Reno, Nevada - USA

Bent, I knew there had to be someone out there who knows about all things Norwegian. Thanks for the detailed reply.

My trip is a combination of sightseeing and family stuff. My parents (in their 80s) have never been to Norway. So my wife and I are taking them to all the sights: Copenhagen, then Oslo, Bergen, Flam, Allesund, Geirangerfjord, etc. After 10 days of sightseeing, we send them home while we head to Sarpsborg.

So, I really don't want to lug a steel through all of the ferries, trains, and rental cars we will be using for those first 10 days. My thought was to ship it to Sarpsborg. But I am worried one of our family over there will get stuck paying duty, which should not be due on my personal property that is not for sale!

Any thoughts?

Jim Hussey · From: Reno, Nevada - USA

Hey Richard

It would be very cool if you could go to Norway with us. We would have a great time. But, I'm not sure I can fit you in that SD10 flight case. Leave your cowboy boots home and we might fit you in a case for an SD 12. ' Winking

'

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

If I leave the boots and don't wear underwear, I can probably get into the Zum case.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting.

Larry Bressington · From: Nebraska

Definatley take it on plane, if you ship it, it will cost a fortune and may get lost and abused...Be warned, they do throw them on the luggage rack, so tape your levers down to each other.....My sho-bud lost a knee lever due to them throwing it on the plane and un-fortunatley for me, i watched them do it from the wing seat. This has happened almost every time and those levers start jumping around. Loosen off the strings too, and plan on putting a new set on when you get there anyway!!
_________________
A.K.A Chappy.

Olli Haavisto · From: Jarvenpaa,Finland

Take it on the plane and ship it to your friend when you get to Norway.
Here in Finland any bus station provides a service for that...
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Olli Haavisto
Finland

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

I think Larry and Olli have the right idea. Or, you can give me gas money and I'll drive it to Norway (or somewhere) for you.

I'll wait until you retire and move to Norway to stow away. When I go, I don't ever want to come back.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting.

Bent Romnes · From: London,Ontario, Canada

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Larry Bressington · From: Nebraska

Jim....Yes it could get flagged as an item for sale, and you could get stiffed with a big bill....I sent my mother a pedal that i wanted in England, it was mine and it was late showing up...When the post man arrived , mum had to pay something like $20.00 for import taxes...How are you going to fight all this if this happen's??? I think you will be just as best to lug it around with you, otherwise borrow somebody's and we know that isent a very good idea because of co-ped etc, been there done that!!! Shipping a steel guitar around is not a good idea and i don't want to see you loose this beauty!

More often that not, it will get flagged at customs an an 'Un-known' item, and may lay in the room for a while until it get's cleared...you may never see it again for 3 months!!!!!!!!!!! At least on a plane, you can explain and i do what Bent does...Put your rod's etc amoungst your clothes, and have a photo of you playing the steel, it works wonder's when you get questioned.
_________________
A.K.A Chappy.

Bent Romnes · From: London,Ontario, Canada

Larry, customs rules are quite different from England to Norway.
It won't get "flagged" if Jim clears it with Norway customs beforehand. I am working on it now.
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Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Jim... How long are you staying after you ship your parents back here? A week maybe? Is it worth the trouble? How much playing time are you actually going to get in?

Have you been working hard on the Zum case to fit my fat ass in?
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting.

Larry Bressington · From: Nebraska

Sounds good Bent, Keep us informed please!
_________________
A.K.A Chappy.

Jim Hussey · From: Reno, Nevada - USA

Hi Bent. Thanks for checking with customs, I wouldn't know where to start.

In the past, I have flown with my guitar in checked luggage. I have an anvil case with foam inserts that were cut to snugly fit the keyheads, necks, changer, etc. Several flights and the guitar has come through fine. Case got knocked around, but the guitar was quite safe inside.

Normally, I would take the guitar with me on this flight, but this trip we are flying into Copenhagen and then, after a couple days, a ferry to Oslo. Then a train to Bergen and ferry to Allesund. From Allesund, we make a couple of stops and then drive to Sarpsborg. It's this first week of sightseeing with my parents that will to be difficult. Lugging them, thier luggage, my luggage, and a steel will be a lot. Probably should have planned the trip the other way around and went to Sarpsborg first, but you know what they say about hind sight.

So with the schedule front loaded with tourist stuff, I've been thinking I would ship my guitar straight to Sarpsborg. Just dont want to burden my wifes family there and I sure dont want to pay duty on stuff I already own! In the end my goal is to leave the guitar in our apartment in Sarpsborg. This way I will have a guitar waiting for me whenever I'm there.

If all else fails, I suppose I could leave it in storage at the hotel in Oslo and then pick it up on the drive from Allesund to Oslo. But shipping it sounds the easiest.

Hope this all makes sense

Bent Romnes · From: London,Ontario, Canada

Jim, Ok now it is clearer to me. Here's what I suggest..more or less like you said: You fly to Copenhagen with your guitar as checked luggage. It sounds like you are not too concerned about a little extra weight and pieces of luggage. Even if you take the airport shuttle bus from the air port to the ferry, it is no big deal...get the driver to help you load it on the bus. Take the steel with you on the ferry. No big deal...then its with you at all times-(by the way enjoy the hell out of that 14 hour ferry ride...its like a floating shopping mall!)
When landing in Norway, the first thing you do is to inquire at information if there is any secure storage right there. If not, take it with you to the hotel. For a fee, they will store it for you till you pick it up on your way to Sarpsborg.
Alternatively, you can take the guitar with you to the train station(Oslo S) when leaving for Bergen and store it there. You all will love the train ride...some beautiful scenery on that stretch and the trains are very comfortable.

Your stay in Bergen should include a ride on Fløyen...up the mountain side. Bring your umbrellas..it will likely rain there!

Bergen is the Country Music capital in Norway. Two of Norway's best
steel players live there: Dag Wolf and Egil Skjelnes.

The ferry boat ride from Bergen to Ålesund is equally beautiful...must be a half a day ride huh?

You know, I can't see any problem with that guitar...I understand it is an old ZB?(going by your avatar)and it would be easy to convince the customs people that it is worth no more than kr 6000, your allowable limit.

When do you leave? I'll get back to you when the customs emails me. Have a great trip!
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Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Actually, Jim is taking his Zum SD10.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting.

Bent Romnes · From: London,Ontario, Canada

Jim, got an email from Customs in Norway.

Get your wife to translate, but briefly it says:

When it is being sent as separate freight and not brought as baggage, the recipient must count on paying 25% VAT of the parcel's value plus freight and insurance costs.

So with this, I suggest that your only option is to take the steel with you as your luggage.
That way I am more confident that you won't be paying a penny in duties.
I included the email so you have the phone #s, email address etc.
Hope this helps you make up your mind

Når den sendes separat som frakt, og ikke medtas som bagasje i forbindelse med reisen, må mottaker regne med 25 % moms av sendingens verdi - tillagt frakt/forsikringskostnader til Norge.

Med vennlig hilsen
Infosenteret
Tollregion Oslo og Akershus
Telefon (+47 ) 0 30 12
E-post: oslo@toll.no
Web: www.toll.no
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Bob Hoffnar · From: Austin, Tx

Jim Hussey · From: Reno, Nevada - USA

Hei Bent

Sorry for the late reply, really busy getting ready for the trip. We leave Monday.

Thanks for the research with Norwegian customs. I will definitely bring the guitar on the plane. Rich is correct I'm taking my Zum SD10 not my ZB. The ZB avitar comes from my original paint ZB D10. I am the original owner from 1974.

For all the Zum lovers, here is a shot of the flight case that will keep it safe and sound while in transit.

Thanks everyone for all of your help. This fourum is the best.

Ha det bra!

Larry Bressington · From: Nebraska

I'm proud of you for taking it on plane, that 25% customs fee would mount up, sounds almost like British custom's to me!!
It would kill me to hear that your ZB was misplaced somewhere on a bus, in a parcel delivery, at Custom's office or accidently on purpose fell off the back of a Lorry somewhere in blah, blah, blahville.
Good work Bent digging all that info up with the fed's, at least they talked to you, i would not have a clue where to start!
_________________
A.K.A Chappy.

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

I still say buying me a ticket to go with you would have been best. I could just take the guitar as my luggage. I can wear the same clothes for 3 weeks, so I don't even need a suit case.
Laughing

Of course, leaving it here with me and letting me fix it (convert to the proper "Day" setup) would be the best plan. Very Happy

_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting.

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