bringing bike from USA to SA

[wheelz]

Hi all

 

Please could you give me some advice on this. I am currently living in USA but will be back in SA soon. I have also bought myself abike here which i want to take back with me. Does any one know the procedure I go through when travelling to and arriving in SA with regards to customs and their chargers and if I have to pay VAT or any other tax.

If anyone has bought a bike overseas and taken it back to SA with them please give me any details.

 

Thanks

[madmarc]

I assume its a brand new bike - just pack it up and bring it with your luggage - get a reciept with reduced value on it and if they hook you at customs then produce the reciept and pay the VAT - be carefull though with complete bikes they could charge you duty - i would strip it down and rebuild it back here as there is not duty on components

[EvilRabbit]

Hi all

 

Please could you give me some advice on this. I am currently living in USA but will be back in SA soon. I have also bought myself abike here which i want to take back with me. Does any one know the procedure I go through when travelling to and arriving in SA with regards to customs and their chargers and if I have to pay VAT or any other tax.

If anyone has bought a bike overseas and taken it back to SA with them please give me any details.

 

Thanks

 

Just brought a bike in. Bagged it in a bike bag and walked straight through customs...

[EvilRabbit]

I assume its a brand new bike - just pack it up and bring it with your luggage - get a reciept with reduced value on it and if they hook you at customs then produce the reciept and pay the VAT - be carefull though with complete bikes they could charge you duty - i would strip it down and rebuild it back here as there is not duty on components

 

40% on new complete bikes and only VAT on components.

 

Just say you are here to do some races, they will see the bike is not new - if they do stop you...

[Riprap]

I assume its a brand new bike - just pack it up and bring it with your luggage - get a reciept with reduced value on it and if they hook you at customs then produce the reciept and pay the VAT - be carefull though with complete bikes they could charge you duty - i would strip it down and rebuild it back here as there is not duty on components

 

And where would he hide the stripped down parts like the frame and wheels?

[Capricorn]

wheelz. before you come dont yu wanna bring me a 2011 demo 8 frameset with?

[udxcob]

If its your bike and used you can walk straight in and shouldn't need to pay anything

[madmarc]

And where would he hide the stripped down parts like the frame and wheels?

 

Wheels & Frames are components !! duh

[Me-rider]

If its your bike and used you can walk straight in and shouldn't need to pay anything

 

I would tend to agree with this. They have no way of knowing that you did not take it with you when you left, specially if it looks used.

 

I think airlines charge $150 to take it on plane. I am actually in very similair situation as I was here for 6 months (ending in 3 days!!) and I bought a second hand mountain bike. I phoned a few shipping places and the best option seeemed to be just taking it on the plane and claiming you took it over there to do some races as you are an avid cyclist.

 

I however ended selling mine within 1 day of posting a craigslist add. Apparently I priced it too low?

 

Good luck getting back. See you on the other side!

[EvilRabbit]

I would tend to agree with this. They have no way of knowing that you did not take it with you when you left, specially if it looks used.

 

I think airlines charge $150 to take it on plane. I am actually in very similair situation as I was here for 6 months (ending in 3 days!!) and I bought a second hand mountain bike. I phoned a few shipping places and the best option seeemed to be just taking it on the plane and claiming you took it over there to do some races as you are an avid cyclist.

 

I however ended selling mine within 1 day of posting a craigslist add. Apparently I priced it too low?

 

Good luck getting back. See you on the other side!

 

Check the airlines websites. Some allow it for free and some charge. SAA was free

[GrumpyOldGuy]

I would tend to agree with this. They have no way of knowing that you did not take it with you when you left, specially if it looks used.Good luck getting back.

 

If you leave with any item you intend returning with at some stage you have to declare it on the way out.

 

So yes, they will know if you left with it or not.

 

If you did not declare it on the way out, you can be held liable for the duty (if appicable) and Vat on the way in. This go's for everything, new, used, no exceptions.

 

If you dont have an invoice they will take an estimate based on like products.

 

In my opinion it would be better to send it back with a courier and let them attend to the customs formalities.

Edited March 28, 2011 by GrumpyOldGuy