[faracaster]

That's helpful but it has nothing to do with shipping guitars.

Here is the pdf for musical instruments.

Okay I may have misread this and I am not an importer, but is this correct?
I just read the PDF you linked to and it says on page 92.3 under heading 9207.90.10 subsection 10 that electric guitars are chargable by 6% under the MNF tariff and another 3% under Applicable Preferential tariff.
Is that correct?
I have bought and brought in a lot of used guitars from the USA and I always have been charged duties.

Pete

 

[faracaster]

There is one other important point though. While UPS is a rip off, they are also very quick to settle insurance issues if an item is damaged. I have heard from people who ship from the US that USPS is really bad with dealing with claims. They have said it's almost impossible to collect from them. That is why some retailers/sellers insisit on using UPS for international transaction. I have never had an item damaged by USPS/Canada Post so I can't verify that.

Sorry, I have to take issue with that. I am in year two of trying to collect on a $2000. amp that UPS lost while it was on the truck 10 blocks from being delivered. They have "misplaced" my claim twice and I have had nothing but a runaround from them.
Fed Ex is no better. A friend had a $5000 guitar completely mangled in transit from the manufacturer (McNaught). And after 18 months gave him $500 dollars.
cheers
Pete