Importing (Expensive) Bits from the USA

[gsy971]

i am in the USA so here is my answer to these questions when americans asks about import/duty tax
Why don't you just call your local customs office and find out the straight answer? Visit the official websites. sorry, but forums like these for the most part speculate on mere myth and assumptions. get the real answers from the real people responsible

 

[legrandefromage]

Its a lottery - I've had brand new old stock £150 parts come over free of any customs/ VAT whereas a £30 set of thumbshifters incurred £4 customs and a cheeky £8 Royal mail 'Handling' charge.

 

[Alex Creasey]

Sometimes you'll get lucky but nowadays most things will get caught by customs.
I import alot from the US and the Far East and when getting quotes always add on around 25% to cover port / freight charges, tax & VAT. Most of the time it's around that cost wise so it's a good starting point when looking at what goodies to by myself

 

[WD Pro]

i am in the USA so here is my answer to these questions when americans asks about import/duty tax
Why don't you just call your local customs office and find out the straight answer? Visit the official websites. sorry, but forums like these for the most part speculate on mere myth and assumptions. get the real answers from the real people responsible

I know, but it seems to vary quite a bit (just look at the responces so far :? ) which is why I asked :

Examples of actual spend v actual charges would be really appreciated rather than "it will cost you sh1t loads ..."

Even worst case is still looking better than UK prices though

WD

 

[SeeingisBelievingGTMuseum]

Re: duty

just imported a gt titanium this week. the cost of the frame was £ 414, but only paid £ 24 duty

Again I will state that the most important thing in holding down the VAT on the European side on anything shipped from the US is not the stated value but the description of the item. I always remove the eBay item description that automatically transfers into PayPal shipping and edit something that said "LOOK GT Lightning Titanium mountain bike frame" to just "Used bike frame". Customs treats/taxes second hand merchandise differently than new or NOS items. I have been told this by many people that I have shipped to in Europe in the past. You leave words like New, NOS, classic and vintage in the description and they'll use their search screen to find the original/current value and tax you based on that.

 

[daj]

I paid £42 on some old rock shox rear shocks value about £160, I was pretty miffed to be honest.

 

[WD Pro]

Just paid my charges ... :-( not as good as some peoples examples :-( but better than others so I am happy

No import duty £54.95 vat and £8 clearance fee.

So I am quite happy, a good saving over the UK price and a quicker lead time

WD

 

[SeeingisBelievingGTMuseum]

If the US ever goes to a VAT I'm leaving. It ludicrous. So what do the Euro countries do with all that value added tax they collect? Do they give you better service? Give it to the local industries that are hurt by someone buying from another country? Give it to the royal monarchy so they can party it away. Does charging VAT in Euro countries reduce other taxes being increased?

 

[GoldenEraMTB]

If the US ever goes to a VAT I'm leaving. It ludicrous. So what do the Euro countries do with all that value added tax they collect? Do they give you better service? Give it to the local industries that are hurt by someone buying from another country? Give it to the royal monarchy so they can party it away. Does charging VAT in Euro countries reduce other taxes being increased?

affordable education and healthcare.

Seriously, I always mark my items as what they would be to the average joe, non-collector. Like Gm said: used partial bicycle, not vintage fillet brazed Ritchey Team Comp. Also, I wrap my tubes completely with pipe insulator. It looks like a mummy. Declared value is what it would be to the non-collector, next to nothing, and insurance the same. It's a risk, but good luck getting paid for a lost item via usps insurance. So it's not that big of a risk.

 

[matthew71]

If the US ever goes to a VAT I'm leaving. It ludicrous. So what do the Euro countries do with all that value added tax they collect? Do they give you better service? Give it to the local industries that are hurt by someone buying from another country? Give it to the royal monarchy so they can party it away. Does charging VAT in Euro countries reduce other taxes being increased?

thanks for the help with the import charges kevin , and the frame was super well wrapped