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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 29
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 29 |
Just wanted to mention that delivery of my new hard drive with BIAB arrived to me in UK within 2 days of order, which is excellent service. However, I was disappointed to find there was additional charges over and above the £25 dollars postage I had already paid. These included £10.10 (GBP) import VAT and £11.00 brokerage surcharges? This totals approx $35 extra ($60 in total)
I must say that so far I am really happy with the product and the real tracks sound are excellent but feel that it could be made clearer to overseas customers of these additional costs. There may be some mention of it somewhere during the ordering process but I did not see it.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
But how would someone in another country understand the extra charges other governments impose on whatever? I had a hard enough time when I used to go to the US to understand my own countries regulations on what they would impose duties and taxes on despite 'free trade'. So if I bought a pair of shoes made in Korea I had to pay taxes and stuff and that depended on the other country. IE Korea. If I bought a pair of shoes made in the USA I paid nada in taxes or duties due to free trade. But if I bought too much tobacco (those were the days) or booze (those we the old days too) then I got dinged even if it was made here and sent there and I was bringing it back home. (geez). I don't think they make shoes in the US anymore, but I might be wrong. I think they get their wellies from China too, unlike the UK ones that say BF Goodrich.
Honestly the only way around that issue is for the UK market to get large enough to justify setting up shop where someone puts the software on the hard drive in the UK, or if you can ship to Austria and France and wherever without taxes and duties then maybe it might happen sooner.
It also seems hit and miss in the UK depending on the area the thing is shipped into. Maybe you get a better Deal near Sandwich, in the "mean time it's different in Greenwich", where the Zulus live. Now finger that out.
My alleged future son in law is flying back to Heathrow tonight, and headed to Deal, which is a big deal, because I'm tired of the pussyfooting around due to he, the almost 20 yr old daughter, and my wanting to sing Great Pretender at 80 decibels. I'm switching to England swings like a pendulum do, as soon as he's on the airbus to Toronto, and heads back to Kent U....
John Conley
Musica est vita
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,677
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,677 |
Hi Paul,
I'd imagine that it'd be very difficult for a company to keep up-to-date with all the changes that different countries undergo regarding taxes. Living in Australia, I always make it a point to check out the Govt's custom and duties web pages before I purchase anything overseas. From what you've written, it sounds like our Govt is a little more generous than the British Govt in that we don't have to pay any fees if the item is under AU$1,000 (last I heard, at least).
I might be wrong, but I thought I'd read somewhere on the PGMusic website a reference to the possibility that some overseas countries may have taxes and levies on goods purchased from PGMusic. I know it's been discussed a number of times in the forums and with particular reference to the British Isles.
Hope you continue to enjoy version 2010. I think it's brilliant!
All the best,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
On the other hand, I'd find it very easy to imagine that if I felt I was being heavily taxed, I would find this an issue to take up with my own country's lawmakers and though such things do indeed take time, they are worth the effort in the long run.
--Mac
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 29
Enthusiast
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OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 29 |
Thanks for the replies guys.
As I haven't imported anything before it was just a bit of a surprise (ignorance isn't always bliss!). Considering the quality of the product I certainly don't begrudge the extra cost but would have preferred to have expected it.
I have been playing in bands for over 30 years and have always wanted to write my own stuff but have never got around to it. The playing and singing was always natural to me but the technology used to get in the way, I could never get results I was happy with. Using this software for a short time, I know I am going to be able to produce some decent material as it is so intuitive.
Regards,
Paul
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 14
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 14 |
Paul, you can't really blame PG Music for UK import tax and VAT. I suppose if it didn't exist we would all be buying loads of stuff from abroad which wouldn't help our economy.
I've found in the past that if goods are shipped with the likes of Fedex they are very keen on collecting the duty but if shipped through the regular mail so that Royal Mail make the delivery they often don't bother to collect it. Not only that but they are just as quick.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 207
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 207 |
I live in South Africa; I've just bought BIB 2010 and had the same problem for the first time...got hit for import duty. But as the saying goes, it's only money. The upgrade is worth every cent. Mike Laatz mikelaatz@telkomsa.net www.capetownjazz.com
Mike Laatz
Cape Town
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 707
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 707 |
In my experience of these things, a lot depends on the courier. Royal Mail never seem to bother, while some couriers see it as a chance to charge a £10 (or £11 in your case) fee to collect and pay the import duty. For them, it's just income maximisation. At least with something as expensive as BAIB, you probably don't mind paying it that much - in the early days of Amazon.com, I "imported" a couple of CDs with a total value of pennies over the £18 limit in force - the import duty and VAT was about 90p, while the courier charged £10 for collecting it. At least the guy who came to the door had the good grace to be embarrassed ...
Brian
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,880
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,880 |
this seems to be completely random in UK, I paid £19 for BIAB hard drive, nothing for omnisphere, or an 18 CD piece of software. Its a question of what 'they' THink its worth as poosed to real value, and if and when the freight company feel like charging you extra. If customs does not stop it you might get lucky sometimes.
Win 11 64, Asus Rog Strix z390 mobo, 64 gig RAM, 8700k
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 11 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 22 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2026 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2026 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1-22 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 22 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 22.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 22 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 22 requires the 2026 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Peter Gannon Talks Band-in-a-Box with zplane
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
Check out the full interview here: https://products.zplane.de/blog/peter-gannon-interview-pg-music
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
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Forums57
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