Buying a bike from the US
Discussion
I've jut covered this in the P&P in an exchange rate thread...
but yes, it most probably will be worth while.
Pay for the bike plus shipping. Thene when it arrives you will be charged VAT plus an import duty. Import duty is dependent on the product, a list of the different rates is on the customs and excise site. IIRC for a bike its about 20%.
This will be worked out on the value of goods PLUS shipping.
Worth bearing in mind that individual bike parts fall into a lower bracket than a complete bike... ahem...
The bill will either come direct from customs, or the delivery company will send you it.
But still, worth it.
but yes, it most probably will be worth while.
Pay for the bike plus shipping. Thene when it arrives you will be charged VAT plus an import duty. Import duty is dependent on the product, a list of the different rates is on the customs and excise site. IIRC for a bike its about 20%.
This will be worked out on the value of goods PLUS shipping.
Worth bearing in mind that individual bike parts fall into a lower bracket than a complete bike... ahem...
The bill will either come direct from customs, or the delivery company will send you it.
But still, worth it.
Oh, and if you fancy an adventure - find a bike shop near an airport and get them to order in your bike.
Book cheap flights - Fly out with an old bike. Arrive, chuck it in skip. Go to shop, buy new bike. Post all the paperwork to a mate at home.
Fly back with 'one bike' just like you flew out with.
I am not condoning this, its just an option you may wish to follow...!
Book cheap flights - Fly out with an old bike. Arrive, chuck it in skip. Go to shop, buy new bike. Post all the paperwork to a mate at home.
Fly back with 'one bike' just like you flew out with.
I am not condoning this, its just an option you may wish to follow...!
snotrag said:
I've jut covered this in the P&P in an exchange rate thread...
but yes, it most probably will be worth while.
Pay for the bike plus shipping. Thene when it arrives you will be charged VAT plus an import duty. Import duty is dependent on the product, a list of the different rates is on the customs and excise site. IIRC for a bike its about 20%.
This will be worked out on the value of goods PLUS shipping.
Worth bearing in mind that individual bike parts fall into a lower bracket than a complete bike... ahem...
The bill will either come direct from customs, or the delivery company will send you it.
But still, worth it.
but yes, it most probably will be worth while.
Pay for the bike plus shipping. Thene when it arrives you will be charged VAT plus an import duty. Import duty is dependent on the product, a list of the different rates is on the customs and excise site. IIRC for a bike its about 20%.
This will be worked out on the value of goods PLUS shipping.
Worth bearing in mind that individual bike parts fall into a lower bracket than a complete bike... ahem...
The bill will either come direct from customs, or the delivery company will send you it.
But still, worth it.
I've just checked, and the store offers free global shipping on bikes over $2500.
So it seems that this route will be cheaper.
Thats a good deal then as the shipping won't be cheap!
In which case just order it as usual. Await the extra bill nad budget for it, and if it doesn't turn up, as it sometimes doesn't, then bonus.
Just one thing you may not have thought of - Not sure about Scott in Particular having never dealt with their UK guys, but you will likely find they won't handle any warranty claims you may have - you will have to deal with the US ditributors.
A gamble you may have to take, and depends on the individual company.
Certainly though you should be in line to save a few quid - Just make sure you order the right size!
In which case just order it as usual. Await the extra bill nad budget for it, and if it doesn't turn up, as it sometimes doesn't, then bonus.
Just one thing you may not have thought of - Not sure about Scott in Particular having never dealt with their UK guys, but you will likely find they won't handle any warranty claims you may have - you will have to deal with the US ditributors.
A gamble you may have to take, and depends on the individual company.
Certainly though you should be in line to save a few quid - Just make sure you order the right size!
snotrag said:
Worth bearing in mind that individual bike parts fall into a lower bracket than a complete bike... ahem...
As discussed in another thread on here somewhere, most "proper" bike shops do not sell bikes with pedals so they can avoid wasting money on reflectors and bells that are required with a complete bike.
I wouldn't bother ordering a full bike.
Invoice would need to be written to illustrate what you are buying is not a complete bike.
I'm just wondering if using it would knock the import duty down (4.5% parts/15% complete bike + VAT @17.5%) because you could claim it was second hand, but then I suppose you would need a receipt for that lower value...all getting a bit dodgey 
Edited by beyond rational on Tuesday 24th April 16:18
beyond rational said:
I'm just wondering if using it would knock the import duty down (4.5% parts/15% complete bike + VAT @17.5%) because you could claim it was second hand, but then I suppose you would need a receipt for that lower value...all getting a bit dodgey
No - the dodgy plan is that you take your bike out with you and then bring "it" back again i.e. no import duty because you didn't buy it abroad. Honest
Well dodgy.
pdV6 said:
beyond rational said:
I'm just wondering if using it would knock the import duty down (4.5% parts/15% complete bike + VAT @17.5%) because you could claim it was second hand, but then I suppose you would need a receipt for that lower value...all getting a bit dodgey
No - the dodgy plan is that you take your bike out with you and then bring "it" back again i.e. no import duty because you didn't buy it abroad. Honest
Well dodgy.
.... however the question remains valid that if you were to import a used MTB (legally - ish), would the duty be less?
mat205125 said:
pdV6 said:
beyond rational said:
I'm just wondering if using it would knock the import duty down (4.5% parts/15% complete bike + VAT @17.5%) because you could claim it was second hand, but then I suppose you would need a receipt for that lower value...all getting a bit dodgey
No - the dodgy plan is that you take your bike out with you and then bring "it" back again i.e. no import duty because you didn't buy it abroad. Honest
Well dodgy.
.... however the question remains valid that if you were to import a used MTB (legally - ish), would the duty be less?
I guess the duty would be less because the price you paid for it 2nd hand (with receipt to prove) would be that much lower. As to whether they'd consider it a complete bike or collection of parts, I imagine that would boil down to whether it it was built up or broken into parts for transport.
fourmotion said:
Another thing to check with the shop is that they are allowed by the manufacturer to ship the bike internationally.
I wanted to order a Santa Cruz, but the bike shops I emailed would not ship to the UK as Santa Cruz would not allow them.
I wanted to order a Santa Cruz, but the bike shops I emailed would not ship to the UK as Santa Cruz would not allow them.
I discovered the same - Santa Cruz, Yeti, Intense, and many others don't allow their dealers to deliver outside the US. Not sure about Scott, but I think they're the same - a friend's just bought one from San Francisco and had to go there to pick it up. Luckily for him, business paid for his flight - not all of us are that lucky.
wow, you are brave getting a scale limited from the us, i wish you good luck and hope the shippers do not chuck it around to much, also warrenty could be fun as the uk guys could choose not to be as helpful as if you had bought it from a uk outlet.
have you done the deal yet?
As you could get a deal on a scale limited in this country, pm if you want info as i would be happy to pass it on,
if not, i do wish you good luck, scale limited is a stunning bike with fantastic kit.
have you done the deal yet?
As you could get a deal on a scale limited in this country, pm if you want info as i would be happy to pass it on,
if not, i do wish you good luck, scale limited is a stunning bike with fantastic kit.
No, I haven't done the deal yet - I emailed the store for more info and haven't heard back from them which doesn't exactly fill me with confidence.
I'd be interested to learn of any deals available. The Scale Ltd is indeed an amazing bike, but the only prices I've seen so far are £3,700. I can't justify spending quite that much on a bike without getting some serious grief from the other half.
* edit for spelling
I'd be interested to learn of any deals available. The Scale Ltd is indeed an amazing bike, but the only prices I've seen so far are £3,700. I can't justify spending quite that much on a bike without getting some serious grief from the other half.
* edit for spelling
Edited by option click on Wednesday 25th April 15:33
pm me if you want more info, my friend is a scott dealer and scott always do deals at the end of the year when 08 bikes are due, depending on what stock sizes are still avalible,but scale limiteds tend to be in demend so can tend to sell out quickly in the very popular sizes, i know some of the other top of the range bike stock is very limited.
He does supply through mail order as well and can offer 36 month 0% finance ( Subject to Status), and is a really knowledgable guy. if you want to investigate further i can pass on his site details.
He does supply through mail order as well and can offer 36 month 0% finance ( Subject to Status), and is a really knowledgable guy. if you want to investigate further i can pass on his site details.
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