Brining a bike back from the UK

[brad890]

Hey guys sorry if this has been asked before.

 

This is a little different from the have a friend bring a bike back / buying a bike on holiday question.

 

I've been working in the UK for just under 2 years now, have a cross bike that fits like a glove so would really like to bring it back with me.

 

However the catch is this, My wife and I are thinking of doing the long way home, through the USA holidaying for a month.

 

So lugging a bike around with us is kinda problematic.

 

Was thinking of using one of the excess baggage shipping companies to send it straight from the UK to RSA while we do our US tour.

 

However my question is this for the people in the know, will i be hit with the 15% duty plus vat? if I do it that way?

 

Also any recommendations of companies that hubbers have used successfully for bike / excess baggage shipping?

[dirtypot]

If the bike is used and you've owned it for at least six months (as far as I remember) then you won't pay any duties on it.  Add a few household goods into the box and it can all just be classified as household goods.  

 

I used Excess Baggage for my shipping and they were great - brought boxes to me to use (free) and then collected a few days later when I said that they were ready.  They got delivered here reasonably quickly and the boxes were never opened or tampered with.  Great service from them, especially in the UK.

[brad890]

If the bike is used and you've owned it for at least six months (as far as I remember) then you won't pay any duties on it.  Add a few household goods into the box and it can all just be classified as household goods.  

 

I used Excess Baggage for my shipping and they were great - brought boxes to me to use (free) and then collected a few days later when I said that they were ready.  They got delivered here reasonably quickly and the boxes were never opened or tampered with.  Great service from them, especially in the UK.

 

Thanks dirtypot

[CAAD4]

Just not too much salt in the water. Let us know how that works out.

[eddy]

Ping Lexx here on the hub.

 

He is a unicorn. A customs official with oth a heart and a head.

[rock]

usually you need to be present when your personal effects arrive as Customs need to verify your passport in and out stamps to check that you have been out of the country for more than 6 months uninterrupted.