Or do they have a European hub?

Yep import tax, handling and vat on the lot

Yes it adds up quite a bit

glimpse into the future of buying from the EU soon too

Yep been stung by Fed Ex about 3 yrs ago

Fair enough. Well, It’ll have to be them or Aspire Velotech as there doesn’t seem to be a UK stockist of Chris King Boost Hubs…not for less than £290 for a front anyway.

€270 with free delivery?

https://www.bike24.de/1.php?content=8;product=211058;menu=1000,2,98

US price plus 4.7% import duty then 20% vat on total.
So $100 purchase price will then become $125.64.
Base price plus 25.64%.
As scotroutes says – bike24; also check the other tried & tested european companies so rose, canyon, bike discount, bike boutique (holland); there are others.

You also get charged on the shipping. I guess to stop the trick of giving the item a tiny value but boosting the shipping cost to compensate.

US price plus 4.7% import duty then 20% vat on total.
So $100 purchase price will then become $125.64.
Base price plus 25.64%.

+ handling fee for collecting the duty. The Royal Mail is cheapest and may even forget to collect the duty if the package is small enough and sent via USPS 1st class, which is actually quite quick too – 3-4 days being usual.

if you know anyone in the US get it sent to them and they can then send it as a “gift”…no import duty then 🙂

I had a rear ck axle sent over from aspire in Portland I wasn’t charged any duty etc but it was a fairly small package and of a lot less value than a hub

Thanks for the feedback Fellas. I ordered from Aspire in the end. £175 shipped. Even if there’s import fees to pay it’ll be cheaper than the others.

M

they can then send it as a “gift”…no import duty then

Nope duty is payable on gifts too.

Seems to be you always get clobbered for import tax when ordering stuff from the US, new stuff and eBay etc alike. Only way to avoid is to know someone who travels there, and has a large suitcase, and get them to bring it back for you, or tie in buying stuff yourself with a US holiday!

Only way to avoid is to know someone who travels there,

Ah good old tax evasion…

The worst bit is when the Post Office sit on it for 2 weeks before doing anything, when you are desparate for a part.