[Closed] Calculating Import Duty from USA

On a full bike [from memory] you'll pay

14% import duty
$3300

15% VAT
$3800

Handling etc.

So roundabout $4000 I reckon

Yup what he says. Though if you're lucky it might be nothing at all.

So around $1000 then?? Seems steep. Anyone know where i can find out for sure - do HMRC have a call centre or something?

I was 'happy' at around $600 but $1000 starts making it not quite so worth the effort.

I wouldn't be lucky, i never am with these things. I've been stung before when others have gotten the same thing with no duty at all. 🙁

Import duty on bike [b][i][u]parts[/b][/i][/u] is 4.7% Duty on a Complete bike is more.

Can't you just get the frame and fork? I'm sure Speedgaot would do that.

Otherwise source it elsewhere

I stand by what I said on costs. that was based on 4 frames and a few forks I've had shipped from the US

You've already been given the definitive answer.

http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds/cgi-bin/tarduty?Taric=8712003000&SimDate=20090714&Action=1&ProdLine=80&Country=US/0400&Type=0&Action=1&YesNo=1&Indent=-1&Flag=1&Test=tarduty&Periodic=0&Download=0&Lang=EN&Description=yes

(was just going to give you part way help, but the links are all broken, and I ended up getting sucked in!)

14% duty ($406) plus 15% VAT ($495 - you pay VAT on the duty), so a grand total of ~$900 plus handling fees.

Any Drawbacks on buying from the states apart from the obvious potential problems if i had a warranty claim?

Ouch.

Thanks for all the assistance people.

Still cheaper but now by not so much (unless exchange rates go in my favour big time - unlikely though).

It's just not going to cost you that much.

If you buy in the frame & fork, and liaise with a seller/dealer, and get him to mark the value lower, it will be alot cheaper.

No reasonable dealer (not big shop like Speedgoat) will mind putting a buying cost on rather than the MSRP or price you have paid.

That is what has happened to every US frame I have bought in

In fact even Speedgaot put cost price on a fork from them

As above or get yourself a flight & have a few days riding it around & then bring it home
If you do get them to mark it down, don't go silly, if it gets damaged or lost in transit you'll only be able to claim the value that is marked on the paperwork

I have imported quite a few things from the USA.
The BIGGEST pain in the neck is the amount of Duty you have to pay on EVERYTHING, not just the value of the product....you also have to pay duty on the postage cost as the Inland Revenue levy duty on the entire package.

Also the handling fee is an unexpected pleasure......cheaper to get to the USA, buy the bike, ride it , have some fun in Utah (or whever) and bring it home in your luggage...............

I got some kitesurf gear sent over recently and got it sent to my work address....I did not get shagged on import duty, so may be worth a try if you can get away with it

im with bonesetter, all my bikes have come from the US and ive been buying from the same man for over 6 yrs now -he doesnt mind putting a low value on the bits (he will even send over Fox forks which apparently is a no no for US shops), you run the risk of losing big time if things go missing but in the 6 yrs ive been getting my parts from the states, ive only ever lost an xtr mech (which was replaced be the shop free of charge!)...

I love the way such threads always end up recommending smuggling and tax evasion.

GSter - Member

I have imported quite a few things from the USA.
The BIGGEST pain in the neck is the amount of Duty you have to pay on EVERYTHING, not just the value of the product....you also have to pay duty on the postage cost as the Inland Revenue levy duty on the entire package.

I think you're getting confused over duty and VAT

I had a Reba Team Maxle 29er fork delivered this morning. It cost £371 ALL IN. That is delivered to my door. Its value was marked as $43-33 and a gift.

CRC price £540. I didn't buy from the US because it was cheaper, it was just that was the only place that had them. The price was a bonus.

And just once again to be clear:

The 'low' marked price of your frame is the COST PRICE which the seller pays to get the item from his supplier, the frame manufacturer.

That way if things go wrong, your friendly seller will not mind sending you another

Still cheaper but now by not so much

...i would imagine that this is a factor (along with warranty, advertising etc) in how the importer sets their uk prices on most things.

Complication of ordering, delay in recieving goods and no warranty, versus paying a bit more from a UK seller => how much you can expect people to pay for the product you sell.

Goods arrive in 5 - 10 days. Warranty included. Price is usually always less.

One of my frames failed, manufacturer directly sent a brand new replacement 🙂