Importing an Indian Instrument: Customs, Duties and Taxes Explained

Importing an Indian instrument is straightforward, but the part that surprises most first-time buyers is what happens at the border. This guide explains customs duties and import taxes in plain language, what RagaLoom’s prices include, and how to avoid surprises when a harmonium or shruti box arrives at your door in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Europe or the Gulf.

What your RagaLoom price includes

Every RagaLoom instrument is handcrafted in India, tuned to A=440 Hz, checked before dispatch and shipped worldwide with FedEx/DHL. The price you see on the product page is the price of the instrument. Shipping is calculated separately at checkout: a base rate for your destination plus $25 for each item. For example, one item to the United States is $20 + $25 = $45, as set out on our shipping page.

What the price does not include is customs duty or import tax. Our shipping page says this plainly: customs duties and import taxes are not included in the item price or the shipping cost, they are set by the customs authority of the destination country, and they are paid by the buyer.

Duty, VAT and GST: three different charges

People often say “customs” when they mean several different things. When a parcel enters your country, one or more of these may apply:

• Customs duty. A percentage charged on the value of the goods, based on the type of product and the rules of the importing country. For some products the rate is low or zero.
• Import VAT, GST or sales-type tax. Many countries, including the UK and EU member states, Canada and Australia, charge a consumption tax on imported goods in the same way they do on local purchases, even when the duty rate is zero.
• Carrier handling or clearance fees. Some carriers charge a fee for paying duties on your behalf at the door. This depends on the carrier and the country.

Rates and thresholds differ from country to country and change over time, so we cannot quote an exact figure for your order. The customs authority of your country, or the carrier’s website, is the reliable source.

How the amount is usually worked out

Although every country has its own rules, the logic is similar almost everywhere:

1. The goods are classified under a tariff code, in this case musical instruments.
2. A customs value is set, usually based on the price paid for the goods and, in many countries, the shipping cost as well.
3. Duty is calculated on that value, and then tax is calculated on the total in countries that charge it.

That is why a more expensive instrument or a heavier shipping bill can raise the amount you pay on arrival. It is also why two buyers in different countries ordering the same shruti box can pay very different amounts.

Country-by-country notes

United States and Canada. Both are in our $20 base-rate zone. Duty, and in Canada tax, are decided by the border authorities. Check your national customs website for the current rules on musical instruments.

United Kingdom and Europe. The UK, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Denmark and Switzerland have a $15 base rate; Germany, Spain, Austria, Ireland, Poland, Sweden, Portugal and others are in a $20 group, and a few destinations have a higher base rate. Import VAT is the charge most buyers in these countries notice. Our Europe page and UK page list what we ship there.

Australia and New Zealand. The base rate is $15 per order plus $25 per item. For remote-area postcodes in Australia, New Zealand and Bulgaria an extra $40 applies to the shipping cost, as explained on the shipping page. See our Australia page.

UAE and the Gulf. We ship to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait. Local import rules apply on arrival. Our UAE and Gulf page has the details.

Mexico. Mexican customs requires information from the importer of record or recipient for clearance. Depending on who is receiving the parcel this can mean an RFC, a CURP, or a tax ID from the recipient’s country, as listed on our shipping page.

Before you order: a short checklist

• Look up your country on the shipping page. If it is not listed, checkout shows no shipping option, and we cannot ship there.
• Search your customs authority’s website for “musical instruments” to see the current duty and tax rules.
• Use a delivery phone number and email that you check, so the carrier can reach you if payment is needed.
• Remember the currency selector: prices are shown in US dollars by default, and you can switch to GBP, EUR, CAD or AUD. Shipping is converted at the same rate as product prices. Duty and tax, however, are decided by your customs authority and not by our currency selector.
• Keep the original packaging safe in case you would like to return the item.

Customs and returns

Our returns policy allows 30 days for orders under $600 and 10 days for orders of $600 or more. The buyer pays return shipping and any customs fees, so it is worth thinking about the total landed cost before you order, not only the price on the page.

Choosing your instrument

If you are still deciding what to buy, start with our harmoniums or shruti boxes, or read the harmonium buying guide for beginners. For anything about shipping or customs on your specific order, email info@ragaloom.com or contact us on WhatsApp at +91 75033 59491 before you buy.

Frequently asked questions