Importing a mountain bike......

kevyn

Hi all,

I am currently looking at a Specialized Big Hit FSR 2, the only problem is you cant buy one in this country. Specialized are only releasing the Big Hit 1 over here.

Dont want to buy a big hit 1 and upgrade the parts would rather buy a Big Hit 2 with all the better parts on it.

Has any one imported a bike before? if so what are the pitfalls?

bennett_346

Taxes. Gonna be your biggest enemy.

nicklouse

Importing from where?

info here

The Rookie

Import duty, and then 20% VAT on the new total, plus your shipping and insurance are going to hit hard.

Otherwise it's all possible!

Simon

bennett_346

Acording to that link, you would incur a 14% duty tax THEN a 17.5% VAT charge.

neiltb

if you happen to be going on your hols, buy it, ride it around to mucky it up a bit and oversize baggage it tell customs you took it with you.. Seen it done a number of times with golf clubs.

nicklouse

neiltb wrote:

if you happen to be going on your hols, buy it, ride it around to mucky it up a bit and oversize baggage it tell customs you took it with you.. Seen it done a number of times with golf clubs.

and if they stop you and you can not prove it has been in your possession for more than 3 months Oooopppsss.

mattv

There are a few of the 2010 models left I think? Maybe a different model will be similar spec? Ask at a local Spesh dealer, they can find out.

neiltb

so every time I bought new clobber for my hols the week before the plane flew I was breaking the law by taking it away and bringing it back.

I just got off the plane and now you want to see reciepts?

Again, I have seen it done on more than one occasion, again, make it look used, mud on the tyres, light dusting of....erm dust and some old grips would likely do the trick.

sniper68

I know of someone who bought a bike bag/cheap bike,flew to the States,dumped the cheap bike bought his new one at around half the UK price,rode it and came back.As he had taken a bike/bag out no-one questioned him.He paid extra to take it so it was on his ticket as excess baggage
LOADS of people have done this

ftwizard

Don't forget, it will be left hand drive.....

sniper68

ftwizard wrote:

Don't forget, it will be left hand drive.....

Nearly the brakes will be on the wrong side 8)

cooldad

neiltb wrote:

so every time I bought new clobber for my hols the week before the plane flew I was breaking the law by taking it away and bringing it back.

I just got off the plane and now you want to see reciepts?

Again, I have seen it done on more than one occasion, again, make it look used, mud on the tyres, light dusting of....erm dust and some old grips would likely do the trick.

Not clothing, but certainly expensive watches etc. Customs do this for a living, and know most of the tricks. They may not be overly concerned about a bike, but if they nick you it can get expensive. Nick was simply pointing out that you would be breaking the law.
Many people smuggle coke, but it would be somewhat reckless to suggest it as a good way of paying for your holiday.

cooldad

ibbo68 wrote:

ftwizard wrote:

Don't forget, it will be left hand drive.....

Nearly the brakes will be on the wrong side 8)

I have a friend who sets up his bikes back to front. Very confusing when you want a quick test ride.

The Rookie

My commuter is left front brake as on my commute I have two downhill right turns to make, also it shortens the cables a bit (left lever to left brake calliper, routing for rear brake is on the right side of the top tube) and saves weight, however as it's so different to ride to the MTB it's not an issue.

Simon

dan1502

Take the price, add postage, add 14% of this total as duty, total that then add VAT at 17.5% (increasing to 20% from January) on the total.

Bear in mind that if you buy parts and not a full bike, the duty is 4.7%.

Also bear in mind that depending which you use you will probably be stung bu your bank or credit card company for about 2.75% on the foreign transaction too.

Also, if you buy a bike in the US, sales and use tax applies depending on the state but it can be up to 10%. If being exported directly to the UK this will not apply.

It's complicated but can still be worthwhile. The other complication is finding a dealer who will sell to you but it might be ok if you walk into a shop over there, place the order and get it sent to your UK address (though I'm not entirely sure on this).

Once you've worked all this out you then have to decide whether the cost saving is worth it bearing in mind that if there's a problem you either wouldn't have a warranty or would most likely need to get it back to the US.

I would work out what it will cost including tax, duty and postage etc and after any discounts you can find/negotiate, try and neogtiate a deal over here and then work out whether or not it's worth the effort/risk.

Hope this helps and I think you'll find buying a built full bike doesn't stack up.

nicklouse

but as yet we have no idea where the OP is looking to import from most of the stuff posted above may be totally worthless.

dan1502

Sorry, I assumed the US as I know there are models available there that aren't here.

cooldad

nicklouse wrote:

but as yet we have no idea where the OP is looking to import from most of the stuff posted above may be totally worthless.

Got nothing better to do. Watch a bit of snooker, write random stuff, repeat.