[Mordax]

Hey, I'm looking to buy a frame from the UK and have it shipped over. I'm just trying to figure out how much I'm gonna have to pay on import duties. The frame is valued around 500 bucks (usd). I'm Vancouver but I'm American, so I could ship it to either country.

Anyone ever imported a bike/frame? Gimme a ballpark cost?

 

[Mike B.]

We bring in some components from Italy and the duties range up to 13%. I don't believe you will see anything over that. Alternative (not necessarily legal) would be to find someone you trust over there to ship it as a gift.

 

[ukjason]

We bring in some components from Italy and the duties range up to 13%. I don't believe you will see anything over that. Alternative (not necessarily legal) would be to find someone you trust over there to ship it as a gift.

i'll ship it as a gift

 

[Transcend]

I do this on a regular basis for team frames from Orange (UK to Canada).

First of all, there is no DUTY on frames only. There is 6.75% (I think) on complete bikes. You will pay tax (GST + provincial tax) on the declared value of the item. You will usually have a $40 brokering charge if you use UPS and do not clear the item yourself.

You will get nailed if it is shipped as a gift, guaranteed. They will not buy it. Orange undervalues the frame, as they have no commercial value and I barely pay any taxes. If they are lost, you could be in trouble (we have insurance that covers them outside of the shipper).

To the US duties will be different, but depending on the state, you can save on taxes as it is up to you to declare the purchase to the government. UPS and FEDEX have been asking for social insurance numbers as of late for any parcel I ship to the USA. They then declare this info directly to the govt for you, and the govt will send you an invoice.