Transporting a Bike internationally

[Brendan Swarts]

I am going on holiday to London. I was planning on purchasing a second hand bike there from a private sale and not from a bike store and then flying back to South Africa with the bike as checked luggage. Does anybody know the customs duty percentage or duties payable/ tax implications?

[Scott roy]

  On 8/17/2024 at 7:01 PM, Brendan Swarts said:

I am going on holiday to London. I was planning on purchasing a second hand bike there from a private sale and not from a bike store and then flying back to South Africa with the bike as checked luggage. Does anybody know the customs duty percentage or duties payable/ tax implications?

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You shouldn’t have any bother with anything of that nature. If they are pesky and want to check it out show them it’s a used bike and tell them it’s yours. I’ve never been stopped on multiple international flights with bikes. 

[Brendan Swarts]

  On 8/17/2024 at 9:11 PM, Scott roy said:

You shouldn’t have any bother with anything of that nature. If they are pesky and want to check it out show them it’s a used bike and tell them it’s yours. I’ve never been stopped on multiple international flights with bikes. 

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Thanks for the input Scott. Did you travel with a proper bike box or cardboard one? And where were you travelling from?

[capediver]

  On 8/17/2024 at 10:20 PM, Brendan Swarts said:

Thanks for the input Scott. Did you travel with a proper bike box or cardboard one? And where were you travelling from?

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If you don't intend flying with your bike again, then go for a cardboard box, most bike shops will give you one. Just make sure to use plenty of padding around the frame and re-enforce the corners of the box with lots of duct tape. Pedals and bar off, seatpost dropped and tyres deflated. Secure everything well so nothing can rattle and chafe.

[Scott roy]

  On 8/18/2024 at 4:06 AM, capediver said:

If you don't intend flying with your bike again, then go for a cardboard box, most bike shops will give you one. Just make sure to use plenty of padding around the frame and re-enforce the corners of the box with lots of duct tape. Pedals and bar off, seatpost dropped and tyres deflated. Secure everything well so nothing can rattle and chafe.

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Definitely this

[Scott roy]

  On 8/17/2024 at 10:20 PM, Brendan Swarts said:

Thanks for the input Scott. Did you travel with a proper bike box or cardboard one? And where were you travelling from?

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A travel case, I’ve only done national with a cardboard one. I have however flown with a friend of mine using a cardboard box and that was fine except having to open to prove he wasn’t bringing in a brand new bike. I’ve flown bikes back and forwards from jhb to Eastern Europe a couple times and Tanzania once (surprisingly there most nosey bunch about the bike) 

[Mike Dewing]

I’ve walked through “nothing to declare”with a golf bag with three sets of irons in it from the states.. only went with one set.. 

confidence is key🤣🤣

[guidodg]

never ever had to declare a bike when travelling....

[betaboy]

I declared a set of racing car suspension  brakes and springs…. They never said anything, they thought I was a mechanic! Move along boss. Confidence is Key. 🤭