Buying a bike on US ebay
Discussion
Anyone done it, and had experience of the Customs and freight charges / service?
I recall hearing somewhere that the tax payable is different if the "bike" is shipped without pedals (classed as components), or is considered second hand (run around the block to get some dirt on the tyres)
Exchange rate looks too good to miss at the moment.
I recall hearing somewhere that the tax payable is different if the "bike" is shipped without pedals (classed as components), or is considered second hand (run around the block to get some dirt on the tyres)
Exchange rate looks too good to miss at the moment.
Not done it myself, but a mate has.
He bought a SantaCruz from a US ebay shop.
Frame, fork, headset and seatpost.
Designated as Pre-owned Components, but actually near as damn it new.
He had to pay £40ish in duty, via DHL the shipper, on top of the $50 shipping cost.
The £40 was about 10% of his purchase price, less shipping.
He was happy with that.
His main problem was that when the frame turned up, it was minus fork and seatpost.
Shop promised to ship, then sent a different, cheap seatpost.
Forks never turned up despite numerous promises.
After a long period (months) seller refunded a token amount in lieu of fork.
Turned out to be a real hassle, took him months before bike was built up.
Can't comment on how typical this might be.
I have bought small items from US and Tiawan. bars, bar ends, mechs etc.
No problems, and no duty when despatched surface mail.
But incured duty (10%ish) when despatched by insured courier, worked out on the insured value.
Still great deals despite this.
Hope this helps.
He bought a SantaCruz from a US ebay shop.
Frame, fork, headset and seatpost.
Designated as Pre-owned Components, but actually near as damn it new.
He had to pay £40ish in duty, via DHL the shipper, on top of the $50 shipping cost.
The £40 was about 10% of his purchase price, less shipping.
He was happy with that.
His main problem was that when the frame turned up, it was minus fork and seatpost.
Shop promised to ship, then sent a different, cheap seatpost.
Forks never turned up despite numerous promises.
After a long period (months) seller refunded a token amount in lieu of fork.
Turned out to be a real hassle, took him months before bike was built up.
Can't comment on how typical this might be.
I have bought small items from US and Tiawan. bars, bar ends, mechs etc.
No problems, and no duty when despatched surface mail.
But incured duty (10%ish) when despatched by insured courier, worked out on the insured value.
Still great deals despite this.
Hope this helps.
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