gringo_gus

this may be hypothetical because I just bought a merc to go with the HH7.

But, hypothetically, if one was to attend a convention in the US from 13 - 16 August, hypothetically on the West Coast, and hypothetically one was to take an empty case to the US to bag a bargain folder, taking account of exchange rates n'shipping costs, n'all, what would the hypothetical advice be?

The smuggling, of course, would be past the eyes of Madam Gringo_Giselle, who wonders why I bought the HH7 if what I needed was a merc; not HM Customs.

somnatash

Your folder girl was probably born in the US but travelled to the UK a long time ago to marry you right? Now you both travelled back to US to visit her parents? Probably your folder wife needs to have her passport which shows her origin, and most of all you and she need the marriage certificate. I hope you have one

Dynocoaster 

I would ride it and claim it was purchased used. What city are you coming to? I have a couple of empty suitcases.

gringo_gus

thx for both advice - but somnatash, no, traveling solo on business - and Dynocoaster, apologies for trying to be too clever by half on my part, I am asking really what bike is the best bargain given comparison prices and exchange rates between the UK and the US, and given what I can get in a case. Will be landing/departing LAX

vik 

Buy the bike ride it a bit so it doesn't look new and then take it home with you. I doubt anyone will ask you about it and if they do say you bought it at home.

I wouldn't sweat it...you won't get caught and you are not going to bring society as we know it crashing down around you.

jwlunt

Ride it all week and take it home with you. If someone can buy a digital camera duty free, I see no reason why you can't buy a folding bike. Prices over here are a heap cheaper - pretty much pound for dollar.

J.

Dynocoaster 

How much do you want to spend and what size? 20" or 16" How many gears?

Dynocoaster 

Checkout Craigslist Los Angeles.

somnatash

Humpf

Okay, lets explain my advice. psssst: What I was trying to say is, that if you hypothetically wanted to smuggle a US bike (many bikers call their bike names of girlfriend/lover) to the UK, then you might want to prove at the customs that it was yours before the trip and you brought it with you and for that show a (fake?) bill which shows you bought it (in UK) before entering US (Bike = wife + bill = "marriage certificate")

nekohime

Oh hai there! You will be coming to our fair city of Los Angeles (*coughsmogcough*) for business, yes? You must PM me if you have time for a little pootle around the city, preferrably with your newly bought bike!

Dahons are the only ones consistently in stock at bike shops, as far as I know. Ask Folderfanatic, she might know places where other brands are in stock. Dahon has a list of dealers near LAX here:
https://dahon.com/locator/results_lis...&user4=&user5=

I have not shopped at any of these, so I don't know what the prices are and how the customer service is, although I have heard good things about Helen's Cycles (they sponsor UCLA, pricey but good stuff).

snafu21

"""if you have time for a little pootle around the city""

Yes! An LA Pootle for the Pootle Thread, on your new 16" contraband folder , Gus, with the LAPD chopper in Hot Pursuit!

"STAND AWAY FROM THE BICYCLE!!! PUT THAT PUMP-ACTION INFLATER DOWN AT ONCE!!!!"

rhm

If you're buying something for your own personal use, while you're here, and taking it home with you, then I wouldn't call it smuggling. In fact, I'd call it a good idea. Think ahead, arrange to have a Downtube Mini waiting at the hotel when you arrive; ride it while you're here, take it home with you, put it next to the Merc, and see which is the better bike! If you eventually decide you don't need the Mini, and sell it again, now that may be smuggling... but I wouldn't sweat it.

You might even consider bringing the Merc with you; no doubt it'll be easy to sell here.

jagatron

Where are you buying this? Seemed that only Mercs could be obtained from the UK.

SesameCrunch

No doubt about that!

Sammyboy

He's in the UK.

Now you've got your Merc, why not pick up a Mini while you're there? It'll be cheaper even than I could sell you one, and it's loverly.

taser

Isn't there a £145 threshold before you have to declare it to customs?

And for Bikes above that it's about a 15% duty.

gringo_gus

true, so the mini would be worth it even with duty...

Sammyboy

Yep. When you buy one from me, you pay the duty, and you pay for shipping (expensive!) and you pay for assembly in the States, to avoid anti-dumping duty. It's the cheapest way I can do it, and it still murders the competition in their sleep, but bringing it back from the States yourself? Way cheaper.

James H Haury

Why cheat HM's gov? Not that I like taxes, but why court the trouble?

gringo_gus

Actually, James, I kind of agree, although what bugs me is the inconsistencies between whats allowed and whats not in terms of paying import duties. I could argue that the more DT's in my country the better country it becomes, especially given our home grown brand, the brommie, is so expensive - good, but number 1 in a field of one here....

vik 

There is no trouble frankly...unless you make a big deal about having a bicycle in the suitcase nobody will even ask you about it.

The customs folks have much bigger fish to fry....unless you feel that you haven't already paid enough taxes and want to contribute more...hahaha...in that case just write the government a cheque and send it along with a Christmas card this winter....

James H Haury

Mmm!Customs fish,( drools) is it Cod? do they make chips too? England does seem to be tax mad.

Dynocoaster 

Just fill it up with contraband and make it worth your while.

Lalato

https://www.youtube.com/v/zAkq1OezI6g&hl=en

jur

We can bring up to $1000 to Oz without trouble.