Sorry for the lecture, but someone had to point this out. It seems that it costs customs more to collect the tariff on such amounts then it yields in revenue. This makes direct imports of reeds, mouthpieces, etc., quite attractive even when postage is taken into account. Above that, both customs tariff and GST cut in. I might add that the Australian customs do not levy a duty on consignments valued at less than $900 (it may be $800). BTW, China being a developing country, saxophones imported from there probably come into the EU at a zero tariff, but VAT would still apply. It is possible, of course, that some transaction or delivery fees also apply on imports. Be that as it may, the VAT not be labelled 'protectionist'. The VAT of course is an internal tax payable on domestic and imported goods and, judging by comments in other threads, the UK authorities are serious about collecting it. That is a low tariff and a very small amount compared to the UK VAT of 17.5%. According to the EU website, the MFN import tariff into the EU (the one applicable to the US, Australia, Canada and some others) on wind-brass instruments (HS heading 9205) is 3.2%. high tariffs, unreasonable standards, complicated import procedures, etc. Protectionsim applies to imported goods only. I don't think protectionism is relevant here as a possible problem.

Sam ash keilwerth tenor sax