buying from USA

ravey1981
ravey1981 Posts: 1,111
edited February 2010 in Road buying advice
Has anyone bought bike components from the US in the past? Is there an import duty added when they reach this country?

I am looking at buying some wheels from the US and want to know if I will end up paying more that the "sticker" price when everything is added up...

Any advice appreciated

Comments

  • davidcambridge1
    davidcambridge1 Posts: 275
    I bought some cranks once from America, and I didn't get charged extra, but that was because I had a conversation with one of the people there, and they said that they would mark it as a gift so that I would not be charged import duties.
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    I've bought stuff from Aspire Velotech and not been charged extra but I've also bought from elsewhere and had an extra chunk put on by customs, so it's not clear cut.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • Last1
    Last1 Posts: 45
    Hi
    For importing bike parts into the UK or EU from a non UK or EU country, the current import duty payable is 4.7%. plus you will be charged 17.5% VAT. Even on gifts and used second hand purchases you would normally be charged. However, sometimes the shipment will go through without being detected depending on who the shippers are. For importing a complete bike the import duty is 14% plus 17.5% VAT.

    I hope this helps
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    You pay vat and duty on the consignment, including any delivery charges which can be as much as $100 for a pair of wheels. If you work on adding 25% to the US prices plus shipping as a comparator - if you don't get charged, then it's a bonus. False customs declarations can also lead to a penalty charge of 100%.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • Ands
    Ands Posts: 1,437
    davidcambridge1 wrote:
    I bought some cranks once from America, and I didn't get charged extra, but that was because I had a conversation with one of the people there, and they said that they would mark it as a gift so that I would not be charged import duties.
    This is not a failsafe option - a bit of an urban myth, to be honest. Even gifts can be subject to import duties and taxes.
    Cannondale Six Carbon
  • Muztard
    Muztard Posts: 160
    edited February 2010
    Ravey, in recent months I've imported from the USA. Frame (1st import ), bars and saddle (2nd import). On both occasions I had to pay the shipping 1st $180 (UPS), 2nd $40 (USPS); import duty a little over 4% and VAT on top of all that.

    If the above total cost is still a fair saving on the UK cost it's defo worth the effort.

    Additionally, I've imported some stuff (groupset, sunglasses) from Holland again I saved a packet but better still there is no import duty or tax.
  • cal_stewart
    cal_stewart Posts: 1,840
    I've not imported bike parts, but have imported boxing kit. For me its who the carrier is. FEDEX charge the import and vat and shipping as one price. UPS you pay the vat and duty on delivery or you can phone up and pay by card. I've got a lot of military stuff from ebay and its seems to me that if the stuff comes via USPS in the slow post it gets though with no charges. Thats just my experience so if you fined something and get it shipped by USPS and put the money aside for the vat and duty if it gets though its a bonus.
    eating parmos since 1981

    Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Aero 09
    Cervelo P5 EPS
    www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40044&t=13038799
  • andrew_s
    andrew_s Posts: 2,511
    Has anyone mentioned the handling charges that some carriers charge for the paperwork involved in paying HMCE? Can be up to £15, apparently.

    So, worst case:-
    Cost $100
    Shipping $10, total $110 = £70.55
    Import Duty at 4.7% => £73.87
    VAT at 17.5% => £86.79
    £15 Parcelforce handling charge => final cost of £101.79
    Best case is that it comes through with no duty/VAT at all, so you pay just the £70.55

    Depending on carrier, you may get asked to pay the duty/VAT/handling at the door, you may get a note saying it's at their depot; pay and they'll deliver, or it may get delivered and you receive a demand for the duty etc in the post later.
  • bcss
    bcss Posts: 174
    Cal_Stewart wrote:
    I've not imported bike parts, but have imported boxing kit. For me its who the carrier is. FEDEX charge the import and vat and shipping as one price. UPS you pay the vat and duty on delivery or you can phone up and pay by card. I've got a lot of military stuff from ebay and its seems to me that if the stuff comes via USPS in the slow post it gets though with no charges. Thats just my experience so if you fined something and get it shipped by USPS and put the money aside for the vat and duty if it gets though its a bonus.

    Got some parts on my last US holidays, the guy in the bike shop said the same, he has a lot of requests from abroad and ships it with USPS which usually works out not having to pay for duty

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