Shipping to the UK

[mizunole]

What is the best (lease expensive and most accurate) way to ship parts internationally?

[orange]

surface costs least. I had some forks sent to me from the States to the UK. Cost $27 :-) but took 3 months :-(

[mizunole]

Wow, I am looking at prices like $70 to $80 for a rear shock!!!

3 mos is not cool...  I can swim it faster than that!!!

[orange]

I can swim it faster than that!!!

funny, I said that at the time too!

[Willie_B]

The post office has a Flat Rate box for international shipping. What ever fits in the box up to 20 lbs. Go to the post office because you have to use the RIGHT box, not just any box will do. $37.00 for Priority mail on the flat rate box international.

[Simon]

Don't insure the item for more than $50ish otherwise
you will be billed by customs and if they
try to deliver and your not home you will incure a storage charge (which is not cheap) and you have to collect the item
from the depot.
Yes I regually purchase item's from the states and on even high value item's I take the chance of under insuring.


Simon.

[Colin]

Don't insure the item for more than $50ish otherwise
you will be billed by customs
Simon.

I believe the import VAT limit to the EU (europe and UK) is £18 so that equates to only about $35, you might be lucky on higher value items and not incur a charge, but you could also be liable for Customs Duty and a charge from the postal company for "clearing" and collecting the fees!

HM Customs "Shopping on the Internet"
http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageVAT_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_001454&propertyType=document

Col

[kiwi]

i agree normal postage is best.The tax/custom/ etc is based (in most countries) on value...second hand bike parts and ussually of much interest to them.If its new see if you get your seller to describe as used or of lesser value(woops did i say that?)

[rapiddescent]

it's well known that if you're in the market for a new (but quite expensive bike) then it is cheaper to fly to the USA, buy the bike, ride it for a few days on the trails and then bring it home in a bike bag than it is to buy it new in the UK.

this is because the GBP (UK currency) is so strong and in the USA, bike shops at ski resorts are heavily discounting right now.

e.g. in its day,  new Proflex 856 was GBP 1999, which is about US$ 4000 , at that time the Proflex 856 was only $1999 !!  half price.

My advice is to chat to the bike shops at the New England ski resorts (e.g. Killington, Vermont) or in Boston area and go for a long weekend and rent a car.  It's about 4 hours to killington from the airport in Boston.  (Remember that the US drive a lot slower than here, I didn't know the speed limit was so slow and was regularly driving at 100+ !!).

callum
rds

[rapiddescent]

I should say that I'm NOT suggesting you avoid import duty!!

import duty on bikes is the highest tarriff.  it is even higher than importing furs or computing goods.  You have to pay 15% duty and then 17.5% VAT on top of the price+duty.

To get around it, bring in a "second hand" bike or bring in a slightly newer version of an old bike that you took out with you.

So you don't confuse HMRC, don't bring back the receipts and all the manuals.  just post them home.

callum
rds

[willem]

Just out of curiosity...

In Houston yesterday I sat on a new Santa Cruz Heckler set up with LX and Juicy Three's.

Walk out of the store for $1700. (About 850 Lb?)

If you can fly round trip from H'row for 200 Lb, is that cheaper than buying it in the UK?

Another question for you guys: If there are 14 Pints in a Stone, how many pounds Sterling are in a Stone?

Just curious...

BTW Callum... My folks are always complaining about all those crazy foreign drivers in Vermont.

[mizunole]

Just out of curiosity...


Another question for you guys: If there are 14 Pints in a Stone, how many pounds Sterling are in a Stone?

Just curious...

Why would you put a rock in beer?  

[Simon]

Just out of curiosity...


Another question for you guys: If there are 14 Pints in a Stone, how many pounds Sterling are in a Stone?

Just curious...

Lol its 14lbs to a stone and 8 pints to a gallon and a pint of beer is anything from £2.00 to £ 3.00 sterling.

Simon.