Buying bikes in the USA

[asianzone]

Hi there

Has anyone on this forum bought a bike from the states or have done a price comparison between bikes there and here in SA. I am about to upgrade or get a new bike but been advise that it maybe cheaper in the states and I travel there a few times a year for work

Any insights is greatly appreciated

 

Thanka

[JScottP]

Father in law just bought a Santa Cruz tallboy frameset from colorado cycles in December while he was there and and he saved roughly 40% over buying in SA, in fact managed to buy the frameset and a set of Sant Cruz carbon wheels for the same price as just the frameset in SA.

[porqui]

Just remember that you pay big import duties on a whole/complete new bike when you bring it back. Not on bike parts.

[Wimmas]

Have a look at Canyon bikes. They have great bikes with excellent specs at great prices. You will be nailed by taxes and import duties but in the end I am sure you will probably still save.

[Nevermore]

Hi there

Has anyone on this forum bought a bike from the states or have done a price comparison between bikes there and here in SA. I am about to upgrade or get a new bike but been advise that it maybe cheaper in the states and I travel there a few times a year for work

Any insights is greatly appreciated

 

Duties, warranties and no local support when something goes wrong. We buy apple and Bose products from the US, not complete bikes

 

Thanka

[asianzone]

Just remember that you pay big import duties on a whole/complete new bike when you bring it back. Not on bike parts.

 

I think most people won;t declare it as new, just pack it into a bike bag and calmly walk through customs i guess

[asianzone]

 

Hi there

Has anyone on this forum bought a bike from the states or have done a price comparison between bikes there and here in SA. I am about to upgrade or get a new bike but been advise that it maybe cheaper in the states and I travel there a few times a year for work

Any insights is greatly appreciated

 

Duties, warranties and no local support when something goes wrong. We buy apple and Bose products from the US, not complete bikes

 

Thanka

 

Good point thanks but i think if there are dealers in SA, you probably can get the parts

[porqui]

I think most people won;t declare it as new, just pack it into a bike bag and calmly walk through customs i guess

 

Don't count on it those days may be gone. If you don't declare and they pull you to one side be prepared.

[DieselnDust]

Father in law just bought a Santa Cruz tallboy frameset from colorado cycles in December while he was there and and he saved roughly 40% over buying in SA, in fact managed to buy the frameset and a set of Sant Cruz carbon wheels for the same price as just the frameset in SA.

 

 

to save that big he likely came back via nothing to declare and caught a sleeping customs official?

[thebob]

Buy it there, ride it around so it gets a bit dusty. Claim it was yours all along and you took it on holiday

[lechatnoir]

I bought a Canyon in Dec 2017. 10months later, the front shifter packed up. Took it into my LBS and they got it warrantied... but they wanted to see proof of purchase and customs payment. I doubt I'd have gotten the warranty without those.

[Yo-Yo]

Buy tickets, fly out with your bike bag, buy, ride awesome trails, come back and still save Rand on the whole trip when compared to the local costs. 

[Longbarn Killer]

I think most people won;t declare it as new, just pack it into a bike bag and calmly walk through customs i guess

Not good advice..........if he gets caught, which he will trying to carry something as big as a bike, he'll be in for the duties, plus big penalties.

 

Just pay what is due.

[Yo-Yo]

Not good advice..........if he gets caught, which he will trying to carry something as big as a bike, he'll be in for the duties, plus big penalties.

 

Just pay what is due.

 

I've done it a few times and not been asked anything but as you point out it's not right and I left the grips off so I could argue it was a collection of parts not a complete bike.

[GrahamS2]

Not good advice..........if he gets caught, which he will trying to carry something as big as a bike, he'll be in for the duties, plus big penalties.

 

Just pay what is due.

Have you walked through customs at Or Tambo lately? I have come across very few people as disinterested in doing their jobs as customs officials at South African airports.

[madbradd]

Have you walked through customs at Or Tambo lately? I have come across very few people as disinterested in doing their jobs as customs officials at South African airports.

 

Nairobi they tend to check everyone, and are very interested if you have anything except clothing and toiletries in your bag.