Complete Bike import

[nero123]

I know that you have to pay 25% import tax + 14% vat on complete bikes bought from overseas but has anyone bought a complete bike from overseas and paid these amounts?

 

Thanks!

[Zula]

I know that you have to pay 25% import tax + 14% vat on complete bikes bought from overseas but has anyone bought a complete bike from overseas and paid these amounts?

 

Thanks!

 

 

Also very interested to see the response to this.

 

Bikes in the USA are ridiculously cheaper

[davidw]

Duty on complete bikes is 15% and not 25%.

[tmstiles]

On a related point, how much of the bike would have to be taken apart to qualify as parts and not a complete bike in the eyes of the tax man?

[trekpostal]

davidw is correct - refer SARS http://www.sars.gov.za/home.asp?pid=2630

 

See schedule 1, part 1, section 87.12 of the customs tariff book - 15% duties and 14% VAT on the declared purchase price

 

It will work in your favour if the bike is stripped and shipped separately - even a day or two apart as "bicycle parts" are duty free and only VAT paid on the purchase price - section 87.14

[Disylizzy]

Kind of along the same lines, but does anyone know what the deal is with bringing a bike in to SA to ride it while on vacation, and then take it back out?

[trekpostal]

No duties or VAT at all for foreign passport holders - your bike is for personal use and you are not taking up recidency

[Cyclewizz]

Know somebody who brought a bike in, it was unassembled and they only paid VAT.

 

Also know of a lady who brought a bike in and she paid ZERO but she does have a foreign passport.

[kosmonooit]

If someone is bringing in parts, then assembling into bike to sell to avoid duty on bikes, they are supposed to pay Dept of Customs 'Ad Valorem' tax lol

[nero123]

But How does the foreign passport thing work. Do you just show your passport on collection of the bike?

[nero123]

To me the whole ting is ridiculous, when do how many parts make up a complete bike. I asked Chainreaction if they can dissemble a bike but they are not allowed to do it.

[AndreZA]

On a related point, how much of the bike would have to be taken apart to qualify as parts and not a complete bike in the eyes of the tax man?

 

I brought in a frame, wheels, tyres and tubes from CRC and was not charged duty. Maybe even if you bring in a complete bike but on the invoice it indicates that it is parts will you miss out on duties.

[tmstiles]

So it seems like this tax thing is a bit of a hit and miss affair.

[maddox]

I'll be going to the US in a couple of months and am looking to pick up a new bike. Whats the best way of getting it back here without paying an arm and a leg on VAT/import duties?

[Baldman-smith]

why not take an old bike out with you and dump it there? bike out, bike in... are they really going to pick it up?

[Just Keep Pedaling]

"are they really going to pick it up? "

 

When you declare cameras on the way out they take down the serial number. They might do the same with bikes...