Import duties on complete bike from the UK

[evanr4]

I am looking to import a complete bike from the UK (Cervelo R3). I have seen conflicting information about duties ranging between 0% and 15% dependent on whether the product can be classified as from the EU.

 

Can anyone describe definitively what the bike shop and I need to do in terms of documentation to ensure that I only need to pay VAT and not additional duties when the bike arrives in SA?

 

Thank you

 

Evan 

[Cippo]

Afaik a complete bike is 15%. If you split the bike up into frame, wheels and components as different consignments then you shouldnt pay any duties. You pay more postage but dodge the import. Calculate both scenarios and see what works best. I know with frames, wheels and components alone they add 10% to price and calculate vat on that amount. The vat is then added to original amount plus postage (vat free). Hope this helps.

[Eldron]

Evan - pay your tax - it's the right thing to do.

 

Illegally importing bicycles hurts the local market.

[Dubber]

Afaik a complete bike is 15%. If you split the bike up into frame, wheels and components as different consignments then you shouldnt pay any duties. You pay more postage but dodge the import. Calculate both scenarios and see what works best. I know with frames, wheels and components alone they add 10% to price and calculate vat on that amount. The vat is then added to original amount plus postage (vat free). Hope this helps.

I've heard a couple of stories where the Custom officials are getting wise to splitting up of bikes.  If you get a handful of packages within a couple of weeks they can ask you to confirm the various parts.  If it equals to a full bike they can and will charge you the full duties...

[lechatnoir]

Total tax is about 32% with vat, duties etc. If you ship wheels separately, do that. Then neither the bike or wheels get duty, only vat

[Malpiet]

I've heard a couple of stories where the Custom officials are getting wise to splitting up of bikes. If you get a handful of packages within a couple of weeks they can ask you to confirm the various parts. If it equals to a full bike they can and will charge you the full duties...

Not if its via post office thats for sure, i have never paid duties on clothing besides vat because customs is to lazy to even open and check the item.

[Lexx]

Thats good to know. Will put that in on our next Risk Assesment meeting Malpiet. Just remember,"us" Lazy Customs people have eyes everywhere. And for your information,not everyone is lazy.

[evanr4]

Evan - pay your tax - it's the right thing to do.

 

Illegally importing bicycles hurts the local market.

Not my intention to avoid legitimate tax, browsing through similar topics on here it is indicated that bikes from the EU should be tax exempt. I am just trying to understand if this is correct or not. And I cannot justify paying an extra 25K for the same bike by buying local, but that is a different discussion.

[evanr4]

Thanks for all the replies, looks like just paying the 15% is the easiest way to go

[Lexx]

Not my intention to avoid legitimate tax, browsing through similar topics on here it is indicated that bikes from the EU should be tax exempt. I am just trying to understand if this is correct or not. And I cannot justify paying an extra 25K for the same bike by buying local, but that is a different discussion.

No EU doesnt mean its tax exempt from EU. Its only exempt if you have a Euro1 certificate. Thats what the EU are for.

[Frosty]

Not my intention to avoid legitimate tax, browsing through similar topics on here it is indicated that bikes from the EU should be tax exempt. I am just trying to understand if this is correct or not. And I cannot justify paying an extra 25K for the same bike by buying local, but that is a different discussion.

as Lexx has said, the Euro1 certificate is the only way you can get it as zero duty. A EUR1 certificate can only be issued for product that originates in Europe, i.e. it was made in the EU.

 

 

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[Eldron]

Not my intention to avoid legitimate tax, browsing through similar topics on here it is indicated that bikes from the EU should be tax exempt. I am just trying to understand if this is correct or not. And I cannot justify paying an extra 25K for the same bike by buying local, but that is a different discussion.

Cool. As long as it's apples and apples and you're following the rules this old dude is happy ????

[Titleist]

I am looking to import a complete bike from the UK (Cervelo R3). I have seen conflicting information about duties ranging between 0% and 15% dependent on whether the product can be classified as from the EU.

 

Can anyone describe definitively what the bike shop and I need to do in terms of documentation to ensure that I only need to pay VAT and not additional duties when the bike arrives in SA?

 

Thank you

 

Evan

Might be worth you while to fetch it yourself and drive 2km’s with it. Then it’s a used bike, problem sorted.

[Big Phil]

I am looking to import a complete bike from the UK (Cervelo R3). I have seen conflicting information about duties ranging between 0% and 15% dependent on whether the product can be classified as from the EU.

 

Can anyone describe definitively what the bike shop and I need to do in terms of documentation to ensure that I only need to pay VAT and not additional duties when the bike arrives in SA?

 

Thank you

 

Evan

Why you looking to import? Is the UK price that much less than picking up a R3 in S.A.? I have a R3 that I bought locally for less than R45k.

[Frosty]

Not my intention to avoid legitimate tax, browsing through similar topics on here it is indicated that bikes from the EU should be tax exempt. I am just trying to understand if this is correct or not. And I cannot justify paying an extra 25K for the same bike by buying local, but that is a different discussion.

The product must be manufactured in the EU, not purchased.

 

 

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[GrahamS2]

Thats good to know. Will put that in on our next Risk Assesment meeting Malpiet. Just remember,"us" Lazy Customs people have eyes everywhere. And for your information,not everyone is lazy.

I bring in a fair amount of stuff, from all over. The duty calcs are diabolical. From simply not bothering (on a R30k+ shipment), to forgetting to convert to Rands, to scratching their heads and asking me what the duty should be "on this thing".

 

One thing is for certain, I will never offer to pay more tax than I already do...