taylor

I may be going to California in October. Anyone tried bringing a bike home? I could save 6>700 quid, assuming I don't get nailed for duty.

andyr

I imported a frame (A GT road frame) from the states from Supergo - no probs except I forgot about the import duty costs and also the carriage cost but I reckon I still got a good deal.
If you can avoid the duty then you could get a decent deal.

Crapaud62

I've thought about this to stop paying stupid prices for my cannondales. Exchange rate works out as 1:1

Presumably you could take very cheap bike out with you in bike bag and bring back the new one. How would they know that you had not taken the new one with you for a ridng holiday. I fly with my bikes frequently for overseas rides so it must be easy.

Seems a shame to have to contribute to Blair expenses for no good reason?

taylor

Why has this thread been moved to bikers?

All other mountain bike threads appear to be in sports.

PG

I would think this will get moved back soon ????????????

Check here. Use the search facility

here

Luke

If you visit. Take a bike of the same colour and put some stickers on it...ie Cannondale , Trek etc. Get the bike registered as luggage and return with the new bike!!!!

Many airports in the US find dumped bikes !!!!!

Or get some one in the shop to swap the tyres for old ones and cake the bike with some dirt etc. Second hand bike....!!!

stuckhere

I'd swop the bike box so it dosen't match what you've bought, stick some old tyres on the wheels and SoCals full of cycling adventures so you brought it over for some fun, right?
And mail your recipts etc home.
Good luck.

lightning

I bought a bike in the USA in September last year. Just bought a Specialised which I quite like. Ended up being about 25 percent cheaper than here. I asked the guys in the shop to pack it in an old box so that I would not attract any undue attention at customs. When I came back to the shop to pick it up they had packed it in a brand new Canondale box. Checked it in as luggage and there was no problem.

Molds

Just be prepared to pay your money if you do get caught! Customs aren't stupid.

AFAIK the import duty is about 30% and then you have to pay VAT so the savings will be minimal if you get caught. Its why more people don't buy from abroad.

Vert annoying though. $1000 = £1000 in rip off Britain

Matt

Dougster

Go Canada, and get yer Uncle to send it to you!!

blf21

I bought a Turner RFX in the states in 1999. I was living there for a year, and fulfilled all the things you needed to avoid paying duty - lived in the USA for 12+ months, owned the item for 6+ months IIRC.

Customs in Heathrow were very throrough in checking my story and looking at my receipts, so be careful.

I saved about £1000 in the end!

Ben.

Picture of aforementioned Turner in the Alpes in Sept 2000 :

Luke

Just been to see a drop dead funky "Foes" (Spelling|)

Got just split it down into a suitcase and put it on the plane. Saved nearly £1000.00. No import tax.....!!