Customs charge for new wheels from the UK?
03-21-12, 11:18 AM
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Customs charge for new wheels from the UK?
I just picked up my Shamal Ultra clinchers from the Post Office, and to my surprise they charged me $60 for the customs clearance. The wheels were purchased from Shiny Bikes in the UK. What's strange is that I did not get charged anything for the Record group I bought from them a few months ago.
Could it be due to the larger box the wheels were shipped in? Is it possible that someone goofed up? I went ahead and payed the $60 because I got the wheels for a great price and I wasn't about to leave them at the Post Office.
It's just annoying when you have to pay money unexpectedly.
Could it be due to the larger box the wheels were shipped in? Is it possible that someone goofed up? I went ahead and payed the $60 because I got the wheels for a great price and I wasn't about to leave them at the Post Office.
It's just annoying when you have to pay money unexpectedly.
03-21-12, 04:04 PM
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Nope it totally has to do with what you purchased. Bicycle components are not taxed. Bicycle wheels or complete bike are (or should be) as are "bicycle accessories".
I got whacked once when Total Cycling put "Bicycle Accessories" on a shipment where I ordered 2 Campy group sets. It shouldn't have been taxed but I had to shell out like $200 to get the stuff.
I got whacked once when Total Cycling put "Bicycle Accessories" on a shipment where I ordered 2 Campy group sets. It shouldn't have been taxed but I had to shell out like $200 to get the stuff.
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03-21-12, 04:17 PM
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I just picked up my Shamal Ultra clinchers from the Post Office, and to my surprise they charged me $60 for the customs clearance. The wheels were purchased from Shiny Bikes in the UK. What's strange is that I did not get charged anything for the Record group I bought from them a few months ago.
Could it be due to the larger box the wheels were shipped in? Is it possible that someone goofed up? I went ahead and payed the $60 because I got the wheels for a great price and I wasn't about to leave them at the Post Office. It's just annoying when you have to pay money unexpectedly.
Could it be due to the larger box the wheels were shipped in? Is it possible that someone goofed up? I went ahead and payed the $60 because I got the wheels for a great price and I wasn't about to leave them at the Post Office.
It's just annoying when you have to pay money unexpectedly.
03-21-12, 06:25 PM
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I just picked up my Shamal Ultra clinchers from the Post Office, and to my surprise they charged me $60 for the customs clearance. The wheels were purchased from Shiny Bikes in the UK. What's strange is that I did not get charged anything for the Record group I bought from them a few months ago.
Could it be due to the larger box the wheels were shipped in? Is it possible that someone goofed up? I went ahead and payed the $60 because I got the wheels for a great price and I wasn't about to leave them at the Post Office. It's just annoying when you have to pay money unexpectedly.
Could it be due to the larger box the wheels were shipped in? Is it possible that someone goofed up? I went ahead and payed the $60 because I got the wheels for a great price and I wasn't about to leave them at the Post Office.
It's just annoying when you have to pay money unexpectedly.
03-21-12, 06:54 PM
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Nope it totally has to do with what you purchased. Bicycle components are not taxed. Bicycle wheels or complete bike are (or should be) as are "bicycle accessories".
I got whacked once when Total Cycling put "Bicycle Accessories" on a shipment where I ordered 2 Campy group sets. It shouldn't have been taxed but I had to shell out like $200 to get the stuff.
I got whacked once when Total Cycling put "Bicycle Accessories" on a shipment where I ordered 2 Campy group sets. It shouldn't have been taxed but I had to shell out like $200 to get the stuff.
The sticker on the outside of the box says Made in Italy. The inspection cards that came with the wheels say "This wheel has been designed in Italy and it has been assembled manually."
03-21-12, 06:56 PM
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Also, they tried delivering to my door yesterday, but I was at work so they left a notice saying I could pick it up at the Post Office today after 9 am. What would they have done if I was home yesterday? Charge me $60 on the spot or something?
03-21-12, 08:30 PM
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03-21-12, 09:08 PM
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03-21-12, 10:47 PM
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03-21-12, 11:34 PM
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I've really liked Canyon bikes for awhile now, but they wont deliver to the US, so I was going to go through someone in the UK to send it to me via him. Problem is, I dont trust the bike getting to him, then to me w/o trouble(getting lost), or me having to pay almost the price of the bike upon delivery, so I can somewhat relate to your problem.
03-22-12, 03:10 AM
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Got a set of Zipp wheels last summer from PBK and there were no extra charges.
03-22-12, 05:04 AM
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It's all about how the shipper declares the product. Bike Parts will probably be free. Bike Accessories will be taxed. If it was labeled Bike Wheels it should be taxed.
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03-22-12, 02:17 PM
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I ordered a DA crank from ribble or wiggle a few years ago and by the time I paid shipping and customs, I could have just bought it locally.
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
03-22-12, 02:34 PM
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Yeah, if it's close enough in price I'd rather buy it from a US seller because shipping and returns issues can suck when dealing with an international seller. However, the deal I got on these wheels was too good to care. My total for the wheelset after paying the $60 customs fee was $960, which is $290 less than the cheapest eBay seller.
