Importing Bikes form the USA

jwwern

Having been looking at the various websites I think i can make my money go a lot further by buying in the USA.

Does anyone know the Pitfalls - tax import shipping costs etc (there must be some....?)

1982 Shropshire U9 Egg and Spoon champion

the_jackalcp

you have basically listed them yourself plus consider the potential damage during shipping. It may be insured but the hassle is likely to drive you nuts.

In my opinion your best bet is to travel over to the States, make a holiday of it and buy a bike. That way you avoid shipping costs as you can just include it in your luggage allowance and probaly avoid import tax if you want to. I seem to recall Louisiana even do tax back for tourist purchases which would be another 9% off but then it's not really a quality holiday destination.

Eurostar

I think if you buy from anywhere out of state (even in the next state) you can avoid sales tax. E.g. I bought a bike in California where sales tax is 12%. I went to the dealer in person but they suggested I pay over the phone and have it delivered to an out of state address. So I got it delivered to a bike shop in Nevada and had it sent straight back to the place I was staying in California.

<hr noshade size="1">
<h6>What's the point of going out? We're just going to end up back here anyway</h6>

jay_clock

I bought one in NYC and he said if I showed him my airline ticket and took the bike away packed up for export he could knock of the sales tax (8.5% I think). In fact he did not pack it up, and I rode it all week in NYC. Cost for œ303 for a Dahon which is œ499 here. That was when the $ was 1.80 to the pound, now of course it is even better!

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my trip round Corsica: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/corsica

monty_dogcp

Sales taxes are only applicable in certain US states, many states are tax free. If shipping the bike to the UK you will be eligible for vat and duty on the total consignment price (including shipping). For bikes, the duty is 15% to which you then add vat i.e. add 35% to the cost of your consignement to work out the landed UK cost. Obviously, bringing it back yourself you may avoid any charges - but HM Customs aren't stupid and can charge penalty charges of double the standard rate.

Sheddy

plus the shipping company will add a small charge for paying HM Customs on your behalf

Too much of anything is too much for me

Eurostar

I have a few smuggling tips if anyone wants to go that far.