You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Am currently on hols in Austria and have spotted a potential fork bargain on a German website for a build I’m planning to do later this year. My (possibly daft) idea is to order the fork and have it delivered to the hotel we're staying at in Austria. My OH has pointed out that, as soon as I enter an Austrian delivery address, they’ll add Austrian VAT - because they’ll assume I’m a cheeky b*****d who’s trying to avoid paying VAT. Apparently, blustering “but I’m Bally well British!” at the German website is unlikely to do any good!😉
I don’t mind paying one lot of VAT somewhere, but paying it again on return to the UK would be less than ideal. Oh, my other potentially cack idea, is that the nice new fork will be stuffed unboxed into one of our bike bags along with the bikes, manky clothing, shoes etc.
WWSTW do?
FWIW, the OH has suggested I stop being such a deranged tightwad and just buy one in the UK.
If it’s unboxed it’s no longer “new”.
roughly fit to the bike, have that bikes one in the box as ' it broke when we were away and i bought another so i could keep riding', little bit of dust applied maybe.....
You’re welcome to get it delivered to my place there and I can bring it back at the end of August when I come back if that’s any help? I’ll be in a van so easy to stash them.
The vendor will add the VAT definitely.
If it’s unboxed it’s no longer “new”. Ah, we hadn’t thought of this. I’m sure if I wrap it up well in some of our unwashed laundry, it’ll develop the look of a well used fork.
Depending on which shop you boughtvit from, youll be able to claim Austrian VAT back at the EU border.
Which will of course allow you to pay uk vat on entry 😉
Cant recall if it was Rose, Canyon or YT which was basically advertising this as a way of getting tax free bikes on their website. I wrote a post about it at the time....
Can’t you just take it out of the box and say you had it the whole time?
the chance of getting stopped if you walk through the green aisle is pretty slim.
id be more concerned about them not turning up before i had to leave the country.
what is the saving? and more importantly, where are you in austria and is it good?
TBH if you wrap it up and shove it in the bike luggage it’s just spares for the trip.
Tbh I’d aim higher and bring a complete bike back 🙂
It’s sporting equipment as long as your travelling with it you shouldn’t have a problem.
You might be able to cheekily claim vat back on departure from Austria.
No one will bat an eyelid, how the tex evasion sits with your morals is up to you
If it’s unboxed it’s no longer “new”.
It’s the value of the goods don’t think new/used makes much difference.
<p style="text-align: left;">….. **** it, I didn’t vote for this shite. This is also our thinking😁</p>
what is the saving? and more importantly, where are you in austria and is it good?
Well, now I’ve found the exact spec and colour of fork I need, the saving has come down to only about 75 quid, so reckon I may as well keep an eye open for autumn reductions in the UK.
Anyway, we’re currently staying in Kaprun, but not done any biking here yet, ‘cos the heat and humidity are bad ATM (& we’re not on e-bikes). There are some blue & red trails from lifts in Kaprun, and Saalbach is close-ish - but we’re off to Feld am See area tomorrow to have a go on what’s supposed to be Europes longest flow trail.
The trails on the Glacier are pretty epic in terms of length and scenery.
Definitely worth popping around to Saalbach, up the Schattberg Express and do the Hackelberg trail and Bergstadl trail at a minimum.
That's the thing, you'll end up paying someone's VAT or equivalent. Would it really work to claim back VAT at the border but then walk through the green channel?
Maybe if the shop was local, you could order to your UK address so not be charged the VAT. Then pop in to collect as you're passing through.
Anyway, we’re currently staying in Kaprun.,,
i’ve had a few last-minute package holidays to austria, but never had a bike with me. it is a lovely place.
hope you get some biking soon. humidity is very unpleasant for riding in. chairlifts will help.
have fun