Import a road bike to the UK?
#1
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2009
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Bikes: 2001 Klein Quantum
Import a road bike to the UK?
Has anyone ever imported a road bike from the USA?
Looking at prices I could get a great bike $2,500 in USA for £1,500 plus import tax.
Is it worth the effort?
Looking at prices I could get a great bike $2,500 in USA for £1,500 plus import tax.
Is it worth the effort?
#2
Banned
Joined: Nov 2004
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I'd try one of the many German sites as they are often competitive with US pricing and you won't have a missive shipping bill, customs, and VAT to pay. That will eat up a lot of your savings.
#3
Conquer Cancer rider
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Toronto
Bikes: Fun bike, city bike, touring bike, swish new ebike, Bike Friday
Fly out for a vacation and buy a bike. Ride it for a couple of weeks to get it good and dirty. Fly back with it. Declare it when you come back -- the duty will probably still be less than the price difference.
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Zero gallons to the mile
#4
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: St Louis
Some of the Chinese and Taiwaneses factories will sell direct.
I bought a tandem from Performer in Taiwan. Paid by PayPal - arrived in 4 days (they had quoted 5 days)
Since most bikes are made there anyway buying one stateside can only add to the cost.
Don't forget customs and sales tax. (sales tax is charged on the total cost including shipping)
I bought a tandem from Performer in Taiwan. Paid by PayPal - arrived in 4 days (they had quoted 5 days)
Since most bikes are made there anyway buying one stateside can only add to the cost.
Don't forget customs and sales tax. (sales tax is charged on the total cost including shipping)
#6
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 10,082
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They speak very good English and have pretty decent customer service.
#7
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 110
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Some of the Chinese and Taiwaneses factories will sell direct.
I bought a tandem from Performer in Taiwan. Paid by PayPal - arrived in 4 days (they had quoted 5 days)
Since most bikes are made there anyway buying one stateside can only add to the cost.
Don't forget customs and sales tax. (sales tax is charged on the total cost including shipping)
I bought a tandem from Performer in Taiwan. Paid by PayPal - arrived in 4 days (they had quoted 5 days)
Since most bikes are made there anyway buying one stateside can only add to the cost.
Don't forget customs and sales tax. (sales tax is charged on the total cost including shipping)
Sales tax is not usually charged on shipping charges. Handling charges are a different story.
Bill
#8
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 10,082
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