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I've seen my dream bike frame over there. The bike is now discontinued so I'm not robbing the importer. If it snaps or cracks I'll take the hit. It's from a private seller so the differential is even more! Less than half the old uk rrp.
So, anyone done it? What courier, what duty got charged etc?
Robbing the importer? Who gives a chuff if any judgemental cockwomble doesn't like what your spending your money on the way you see fit,sorry nothing further to add re importing item
One has to fend off the 'trolls' in advance!
VAT & Duty...
Take the frame price, add 4.7% for duty on a bike frame, then add the cost of shipping, then add 20% VAT on the whole lot. On top of that the courier in the UK will slap on a [s]rip off[/s] handling fee (varies but typically between £5 and £20). That's your total price.
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/customs/post/internet.htm
https://www.gov.uk/trade-tariff/headings/8714?country=&day=22&month=9&year=2014
And it doesn't make any difference if it's second hand. It's a purchase from overseas, that's all that counts. Marking it as a gift only ups your allowance to £36 so makes no difference to a bike frame.
p.s. HMRC can decide to value the frame themselves and ignore the declared value if they don't agree with it.
Thanks deadkenny. I've worked out the parcel dimensions and weight using the USPS website. It doesn't seem too bad. I used a 3rd party link and on a $1700 frame, the duty and vat would be £200. Still a bargain!
All I've got to do is sell my old frame!