Taking my bike to Switzerland

[BrianMTB]

Hi all

I’m spending three months in Switzerland soon and am taking my mountain bike with me. I’d appreciate advice from anyone who has done this before, specifically in terms of whether I will be charged any kind of importation or customs clearance fee?

[guidodg]

nothing to pay...except the luggage surcharge

 

[betaboy]

Just get a proper bike bag/ case. Also check your insurance cover outside of SA. 👍🏻 enjoy and  bring back some Swiss chocolate. 😜

[capediver]

Check your airline rules for sporting gear, most have limits on size and weight, usually enable you to have at least your bike in a box as part of you checked luggage limit, some charge, some don't, best to know before hand..

Best bike bag that you can afford, if you use a bike box from a bike shop, they usually free but make sure you re-enforce the corners and underside with duct tape. It will only last one or two trips.

Pad the frame with pool noodles...

Remove the rear mech...

Remove pedals..

Deflate tyres...

Stuff the gaps with strong plastic bags filled with bibs so the frame doesn't rattle around inside the box/bag

Take a small box with some tools/spares, just stay inside weight limit.

Use your entire check-in limit for the bike and bike stuff, you can add your other MTB gear to carry-on, if you taking a bike to S Land, you don't need anything else...maybe toothbrush...

On your way out go to Customs and declare your bike, just take a pic of the frame serial number, or the bike if no serial, fill out the form and keep it handy for your return cause some bugger will try accuse you of running a second hand bike import business when you come home!...Show him your Customs export form and Presto!

Enjoy S'land and make sure you pay Morgins a visit!!!! Or any alpine trail for that matter!!!

[BrianMTB]

30 minutes ago, capediver said:

Check your airline rules for sporting gear, most have limits on size and weight, usually enable you to have at least your bike in a box as part of you checked luggage limit, some charge, some don't, best to know before hand..

Best bike bag that you can afford, if you use a bike box from a bike shop, they usually free but make sure you re-enforce the corners and underside with duct tape. It will only last one or two trips.

Pad the frame with pool noodles...

Remove the rear mech...

Remove pedals..

Deflate tyres...

Stuff the gaps with strong plastic bags filled with bibs so the frame doesn't rattle around inside the box/bag

Take a small box with some tools/spares, just stay inside weight limit.

Use your entire check-in limit for the bike and bike stuff, you can add your other MTB gear to carry-on, if you taking a bike to S Land, you don't need anything else...maybe toothbrush...

On your way out go to Customs and declare your bike, just take a pic of the frame serial number, or the bike if no serial, fill out the form and keep it handy for your return cause some bugger will try accuse you of running a second hand bike import business when you come home!...Show him your Customs export form and Presto!

Enjoy S'land and make sure you pay Morgins a visit!!!! Or any alpine trail for that matter!!!

I really appreciate all this great info - thanks for your help. I will be sure to go to Morgins 🚵🏻👍🏻

Who needs a toothbrush… 🥷🏻

[Baron]

Enjoy, take you climbing legs with and go and ride in the mountains. 

[patches]

Jealous! Done the Swiss & French Alps thing a couple of times was some of the best riding I've ever experienced.

As I was flying with a downhill bike (ie. heavy) there were a few things I had to consider:

• Luggage policy of particular airlines - 1st trip was with Emirates and they allowed 30kg total. 2nd trip was with Qatar and they had a bike allowance on-top of luggage allowance, so I could take more than 2 pairs of undies 😅)
• 32kg luggage handling limit - Even if your total luggage allowance is 100kg, no one single item is supposed to exceed 32kg. It's some heath & safety thing for handlers or something)
• Bike bag vs Bike Box - With the above mentioned limits, a heavy bike (approx. 18kg), and tools etc, adding 8-9kg for a bike bag isn't really viable (even though I'd love me an Evoc one). So cardboard boxes and bubble wrap it was. Cheap (or free in some cases), light, and disposable.

As others have mentioned, no particular rules around customs declarations, duties or bio-security (which is an issue here in NZ. Your bike has to be thoroughly cleaned otherwise it raises red flags).

Also, worth considering what tools you may need as these are heavy and will have to be checked baggage.

Finally, don't make the mistake I did and travel with a roll of packaging tape in your hand-luggage (I did this so I could make ad-hoc repairs to my bike box while in transit). It raised some suspicions with Dubai airport security and I nearly got escorted off for a more private , and gloved "interview" 😅

Oh! and +1 for Morgins

Edited April 10, 2023 by patches

[TomR]

I hope it’s a great trip Brian! 
 

I’ve taken my bike with me to Europe a few times. It’s pretty straight forward if you know and follow the airline baggage rules. 
 

The biggest issues I’ve had are my CO2 canisters.. Don’t travel with them in your bike bag, but I’ve found traveling with them in my toiletries bag with my checked luggage hasn’t raised a concern. 
 

On a trip last year, I had to deflate my tyres at the airport. That was a mission.
 

Carrying a roll of tape with you is also good advice. Bags and boxes are known to tear. I’ve seen a traveler at ORT being forced to open his bike box, and not being able to close it because no one had tape for him. That looked stressful. 
 

Have a great trip! 

[Dan]

If you haven't booked your flight yet then the below may help too.

I have recently booked a flight to Europe on British Airways. Their baggage rules include one checked bag and also an onboard bag. 

The checked bag weight limit is 23kgs. If it's a bike bag the weight limit remains but the additional dimensions over and above regular luggage are then allowed if within 190x95x65. I travelled with Egypt Air before with a bike bag and the size dimensions are what caught me out.

The British Airways onboard bag dimensions are something like 55 x 45 x 25 BUT the kicker here is that they allow 23kgs onboard.

So if you pack smart, you can utilise your weight allowance in your hand luggage and still keep your bike bag as regular checked baggage without paying extra for weight or size.

 

[LUZERN]

I have done this a few times and going again this year. I have never paid importation or customs duty fees. Check your airline regulations and you will most probably pay for extra baggage or sports goods.

A good bike bag makes packing and transport much easier. Evoc for the win here. Note all the tips mentioned in above posts. Get to the airport check in early.

Riding in Suisse is great. Drivers are generally civilised and respectful, cycle lanes everywhere and of course the mountain's are beyond words. Enjoy!

[BrianMTB]

Thanks all for the helpful input, I appreciate it. Am flying tomorrow on Swiss; bike packed and all set. 
 

Thanks again and safe cycling 👍🏻

[NickGM]

10 hours ago, BrianMTB said:

Thanks all for the helpful input, I appreciate it. Am flying tomorrow on Swiss; bike packed and all set. 
 

Thanks again and safe cycling 👍🏻

Just a head's up (which might be a bit late) but on returning to SA from an overseas trip last year with my bike in a cardboard box, I was asked if it was new and (on telling them it wasn't) was asked why i didn't declare it on the way out. I was then told that unless I was able to provide a receipt I would be required to pay import duties. I was able to show the receipt (emailed to me as part of the purchase) and I was good to go. So just something to keep in mind. Basically you may be asked to prove that you didn't buy your bike on your trip, although I suspect having a mine in a big branded cardboard box didn't do me any favours. 

Enjoy the trip.

[Meezo]

46 minutes ago, NickGM said:

Just a head's up (which might be a bit late) but on returning to SA from an overseas trip last year with my bike in a cardboard box, I was asked if it was new and (on telling them it wasn't) was asked why i didn't declare it on the way out. I was then told that unless I was able to provide a receipt I would be required to pay import duties. I was able to show the receipt (emailed to me as part of the purchase) and I was good to go. So just something to keep in mind. Basically you may be asked to prove that you didn't buy your bike on your trip, although I suspect having a mine in a big branded cardboard box didn't do me any favours. 

Enjoy the trip.

i had the same when i returned from Switzerland, eventually i made it uncomfortable for the customs guys telling them nobody informed me about declaring my bike when i left... atleast i was trying my luck and got away with it... but yes i wont go through again and just declare my bike as my bike if and when i do get to go over again...

[Pieter-za]

Has anyone tried the online declaration process?  (This is replacing the TC-01 form?) 

https://www.sars.gov.za/travellerdeclaration/ 

Edited April 13, 2023 by Pieter-za