Euro Tumble


With the euro and dollar worth the same for the first time in 2 decades, I’m thinking of buying my speakers from Europe and importing them into the USA.

Does anyone have any experience about which European website to use that ships to the USA?

I’m thinking Focal, MBL, PMC and I’m sure I’m missing lots of others.

Does anyone know how duty works?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated,

Chuck 

 

chweiner1990

It's far more attractive to personally import from Europe to the US than vice versa. Into the US, imports are on an FOB basis where (as long as they are paid/enumerated separately) freight and insurance costs are not included in the dutiable amount.

In addition, VAT/Sales tax is not chargeable the point of entry - however,as I understand it, data is supplied to local authorities so the importer may or may not get a subsequent sales tax bill.

Two other points to note. It is important to check freight costs, especially for heavy items such as speaker as prices have literally gone through the roof.

Second, it it wise to buy a loudspeaker unheard? The alternative to go and audition the speaker at a bricks and mortar store, but that raises all kinds of free riding dilemmas.

Lastly, many high end manufacturers look very unfavourably on transshipping. One of the main reasons they do is that the price charged in individual markets reflects the cost of doing business in that market which include all of the logistics, distribution and product support costs. So what is cheapest for one individual in the short term may not be best in the long term for a broader cohort of consumers in the market in the longer term.

PS Gobel do have a US distributor.

 

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The big question is when will we start seeing a drop in the price for gear made in Europe?? Now that the dollar is worth more or is it the Euro is worth less? The gear coming out of out of Europe has taken a big jump in pricing over the last year or so in return the price should be dropping. If not someone is pocketing a lot more money. With the U.K. on the ropes with their economy should we not also start to see a drop in prices on British made equipment?  For one the pricing on Brit made speakers have gone thru the roof lately and for no apparent reason. Well time will tell because something is only worth what one is willing to pay for it. Go U.S.A.

Hey Chuck,\

  Grass can be thought to be greener on the other side but i promise you its not.

Make sure you have experienced the Latest Vandersteen 2sig3 Made in USA

 Laboriously matched to 1/10th of a DB and perform way better then most any Box designs.

When a Sonus Faber rep popped in one day we were listening asked me yea but how much do these cost? i said 3600 he was astonished.

Pretend that they came from France and you still have great support musical enjoyment, unique Time correct Performance without the decorations!

Best JohnnyR

Vandersteen dealer 33 years