Buying a bike from usa and posting back to uk

tomwhit
tomwhit Posts: 21
edited November 2007 in MTB buying advice
Has anyone done, or looked into, the shipping costs for getting a bike posted from the us to the uk, as the bike are very cheap over there at the moment?

Comments

  • papasmurf.
    papasmurf. Posts: 2,382
    you need to consider import duty and tax also the fact the warrenty might not be valid in this country
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  • Steve_b77
    Steve_b77 Posts: 1,680
    I used to buy alot of stuff from the states.

    Sellers are usually very reasonable regarding "sale price" and "purpose of goods" if you know what I'm saying :wink:

    It's always worth asking 8)
  • milese
    milese Posts: 1,233
    Take it apart and stick it in a big suitcase.
  • z000m
    z000m Posts: 544
    i have bought items from the states, u have to pay tax, vat and royal mail courier clearance
    New Build
  • Steve_b77
    Steve_b77 Posts: 1,680
    z000m wrote:
    i have bought items from the states, u have to pay tax, vat and royal mail courier clearance

    All of that is based on the retail price as stated on the goods reciept, as I said in my previous post.

    And ofcourse you can actually get away with it if customs don;t feel like opening the box and looking at the reciept.
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    It all boils down to the sender ticking the gift box on the customs declaration on the green sticker on the front of the package. It works with DVDs but a bike will be a slightly bigger package.
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • ratty2k
    ratty2k Posts: 3,872
    z000m wrote:
    i have bought items from the states, u have to pay tax, vat and royal mail courier clearance

    Not always, I have just received a set of Rock Shox Reba 29er forks from the states. Brand new at a good saving and nothing to pay extra- No VAT, no import duties etc. But it was delivered by UPS, and I dont know if that makes any difference. Items were declared as new on the packing slip.
    Sounds like it depends on the Customs people as to weather they can be bothered, also its cheaper (less tax if you send bits and not a complete bike.)
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  • deadpool2e
    deadpool2e Posts: 625
    take a crap old bike out with you in a bike bag, Buy your new bike and trade in crap one get new bike dirty. No one will notice your swap :D
    http://www.sketchymtb.co.uk/Blah.pl the new XC in Kent


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  • paulf2007
    paulf2007 Posts: 341
    my new versus blitz frame arrived yesterday, delivered straight to my mates work address without paying any duty like my last one. But even paying duty and shipping they work out a lot cheaper. As for warranty I have never broken a frame yet, only problem I've had was a fox shock leaking on a bike I bought here. Had it been on an imported bike I would have just paid for the repair.

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