information for international (non UK) customers
I get a lot of enquiries from customers outside the UK, so here's some information about buying from overseas.
The shipping prices on this website are for UK mainland shipping only. If you need the item shipped elsewhere please send us a message and we'll let you know the shipping cost to your location.
As a rough guide, shipping a viola or violin to the USA costs about £120. To western europe about £50.
There may also be insurance costs as well as shipping charges.
If you buy online and have the instrument shipped overseas, you need to consider that it will be very expensive to return it if you don't like it or find it unsuitable for any reason. Often it would be cheaper to sell it locally than return it to Violorama. Obviously I think you'll love my instruments, but you should be extra sure you have picked the right one before buying from outside the UK.
Please don't contact me asking how much the prices are in your local currency. Exchange rates vary. You can get the latest exchange rates at xe.com but you should bear in mind that these are midmarket rates and you will get a slightly worse rate by about 2% since all currency sellers have a small premium built into their rates
Most countries charge import duties, VAT, GST or other taxes on imported goods. It is entirely the buyers responsibility to pay these if they happen and to find out if any such charges will apply and how much they will be.
Buyers from EU countries can expect to have to pay their local VAT when the instrument arrives. This applies even though there is no UK vat charged on UK sales.
Buyers from the USA can expect to pay a 3% import duty and a customs fee, however this is enforced unevenly and may or may not be charged depending on state and courier company. This is just my experience, it is up to you to research what will happen in your individual case.
BREXIT
The UK has left the EU and the transition period is over. It is now MUCH more difficult and expensive for me to send instruments to the EU. If you are a EU resident customer please bear this in mind! If you visit the UK in person then buying while you are here is a better option. I have had many EU customers in the past and I will do what I can to make it viable for EU residents to buy my violins, but there is no escaping that brexit makes it much more difficult.