International Ordering, Shipping, VAT & Duty

We have shipped to customers in over 100 countries worldwide! We have assisted string players on every continent (yes, even Antarctica!) in finding the right instruments and gear for their needs. Our website has tools to make shopping and ordering from almost any country outside the United States[1] a simple process.





International ordering info

 

Pricing

Our prices are based in US Dollars, however, you may view prices in your local currency using the location selector in the header or footer. Prices displayed in non-USD currencies are based on real-time exchange rates.

Taxes and Duty

We use FedEx to handle international shipping, and shipping quotes are Delivery Duty Paid (DDP)[2] for most countries, meaning we will charge your tax & duty at checkout as a convenience to you!

Duties and Taxes are shown after the subtotal in Checkout, with the currency abbreviation displayed.

If you don't see duties and taxes displayed at checkout it means estimates are not supported for your country. (See the list of unsupported locations at the bottom of this page). If you would like to know what you can expect to owe when you receive your shipment, many governments offer online duty calculators. To get a tax and duty quote you may need to know the product's country of origin (contact us if you are unsure where the product was manufactured) as well as a HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) code for the product(s) you are importing. Here are a few common ones from our catalog:

  • 9207.90.0080 - Musical Instruments, The Sound Of Which Is Produced, Or Must Be Amplified, Electrically, Others
  • 9202.10.0000 - String musical instruments played with a bow
  • 9209.92.60.00 - Bows, parts of bows, bow hair, chin rests and other parts and accessories for string instruments played with a bow

 

Ordering in Canada

Prices are shown in CAD by default with real-time exchange rates applied. If you prefer, you may switch to USD using the location selector in the header or footer.

We offer FedEx Ground, International Priority, and International Express shipping to Canadian customers. While Ground is the cheapest shipping option, note that FedEx applies a brokerage (entry prep) fee on Ground shipments to clear the package through Canadian customs for you. This fee is not applied to International Priority and International Express shipping methods.

 

Ordering in Mexico

En Inglés

We offer FedEx International Priority and International Express shipping to Mexico. Orders valued below $1,000 typically clear customs on their own with the supporting documents we include in the shipment.

Note: in Mexico, an Importer of Record (IOR) must be able to certify the shipment through NOM (Norma Oficial Mexicana). Please be aware that orders valued over $1,000 require will a customs broker or Importer of Record. Therefore, you will have to arrange for import assistance from a licensed broker or IOR in order to clear your shipment through customs, and additional fees may apply.

For this reason, we encourage you to (a) pre-arrange import assistance, (b) locate a US Freight Forwarder who can receive your shipment from us and forward it through customs to you*, or (c) ask friends or relatives who reside in or are visiting the US if they can transport your item for you.**

*If you have a US-to-Mexico freight forwarder arranged, you will enter their shipping address at checkout and receive free shipping (if your order qualifies).

**If using US friends/relatives to receive and forward your shipment, enter their shipping address at checkout and receive free shipping (if your order qualifies).

In the case of freight forwarding or friends/family recipients, tracking information we provide only follows your shipment to the forwarder's address, and package insurance we include expires once received by the forwarding party.

En español

Ofrecemos envío FedEx International Priority y International Express a México. Los pedidos valorados en menos de $1,000 generalmente pasan la aduana por su cuenta con los documentos de respaldo que incluimos en el envío.

Nota: en México, un Importador de Registro (IOR) debe poder certificar el envío a través de la NOM (Norma Oficial Mexicana). Tenga en cuenta que los pedidos valorados en más de $1000 requieren un agente de aduanas o un importador registrado. Por lo tanto, deberá solicitar asistencia de importación a un agente autorizado o al IOR para pasar su envío por la aduana, y es posible que se apliquen tarifas adicionales.

Por este motivo, le recomendamos que (a) organice previamente la asistencia para la importación, (b) busque un agente de carga estadounidense que pueda recibir su envío y reenviarlo a través de la aduana*, o (c) preguntar a amigos o familiares que residan o estén visitando los EE. UU. si pueden transportar su artículo por usted.**

*Si ha contratado un transportista de EE. UU. a México, ingresará su dirección de envío al finalizar la compra y recibirá envío gratis (si su pedido califica).

**Si utiliza amigos/parientes de EE. UU. para recibir y reenviar su envío, ingrese su dirección de envío al finalizar la compra y reciba envío gratis (si su pedido califica).

Para transportistas o destinatarios amigos/familiares, la información de seguimiento que proporcionamos solo rastrea su envío hasta la dirección del transportista, y el seguro del paquete que incluimos vence una vez que lo recibe el transportista.

 

Shipping Quotes and Transit Time

How long does it take to ship a package internationally?  

  • 1-3 business days with FedEx International Priority®
  • 2–5 business days with FedEx International Economy®
  • 2–7 business days to Canada with FedEx International Ground®

All methods include tracking information and all shipments are fully insured.

 

Freight Forwarding

An alternative to international shipping from us to you is for you to select a freight forwarder and use them as the shipping address when you checkout on our site. We can send the instrument to a US-based freight forwarder with no shipping cost. However, as soon as the package is received by the freight forwarder, you (or the forwarder) are then liable for the goods, as our shipping insurance only covers transit to the forwarder's US location.

For assistance with placing international orders contact our staff by phone at 919-806-3311 or email to info@electricviolinshop.com.

 

Payment Options

Pay securely through our online checkout process using a credit or debit card or PayPal account (other methods may appear depending on your locale). If you wish to pay by Bank Wire Transer or Western Union, email info@electricviolinshop.com for further instructions.

 

Returns, refunds and refusals

You may return your purchase within 30 days, per our regular returns & refunds policy. In the instance of a return, the buyer is responsible for the cost of return shipping. If tax/duties were paid at the time of purchase, taxes and duties paid can be refunded only after the merchandise is returned to Electric Violin Shop, as proof of return is required by Customs for processing of refund. If you feel you need to return any items purchased, please contact us within 30 days of your purchase in order to obtain a Returns Authorization number and receive full returns instructions.

 

Voltages

When ordering electronic devices (amplifiers, preamps, effects processors, etc.), please be aware of the voltage of electric power in your location. Most electronic gear we sell is designed to run on the American standard of 120 volts. Many countries' electric power falls in the higher range of 220-240 volts. A list of voltages by country can be viewed here. If your country runs a voltage higher than 160v you will require a voltage adapter to use gear purchased from us safely.

 

Border Crossings with Bows

Customs officials and border agents worldwide are cracking down on trade and possession of products made with endangered species. This is particularly problematic for owners of bows, which may contain ebony, ivory and pernambuco. In order to to avoid delays or potential confiscations when traveling internationally with your string instrument, consider buying a CodaBow, with GlobalBow™ technology. These bows travel freely across any border on the globe.

 

 

  1. FedEx does not serve these countries (contact us for further assistance)

    Central African Republic, Comoros, Cuba, DPRK (North Korea), Equatorial Guinea, Falklands, Guinea Bissau, Iran, Johnston Island, Kiribati, Mayotte Island, Myanmar, Nauru, Niue, Saint Pierre Et Miquelon, Sao Tome & Principe, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, St. Helena (S. Atlantic), Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tokelau Islands, Turkmenistan (Republic Of), Tuvalu, Wake Islands

  2. Duty and import tax estimates are not supported for the following locations:

    Ascension Island, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cape Verde, Falkland Islands, French Southern Territories, Guernsey, Iraq, Jersey, Libya, Mayotte, Niue, Pitcairn Islands, Russia, Saint Martin, São Tomé & Príncipe, Somalia, South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands, South Sudan, St. Helena, St. Pierre & Miquelon, Svalbard & Jan Mayen, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tristan da Cunha, Turkmenistan, Turks & Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, U.S. Outlying Islands, Vatican City, Wallis & Futuna, Western Sahara

    Shipments to any of these regions, will be Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU), meaning you may be responsible for tax & duty before your parcel can be delivered. Contact your local customs authority for more information.