Purchasing From Abroad?

[bpsmith]

Looking into getting something more interesting for my n+1 purchase in the next month or two. Looking at lots, including Bianchi and found a few overseas shops that are selling well below our prices, even in Euro's, without the obvious added bonus of the exchange rate!

An example being, BianchiStore.de. 2,124.15 Euro's for the Sempre Pro Ultegra which is £2,400 in this country.

Anyone had any experience of ordering from places like Germany? Or specifically the above store?

 

[User6179]

I would be surprised if a UK company did not price match , I would phone a few that sell Bianchis and ask .

 

[bpsmith]

I would like to believe that this would be possible, but that's around £800 discount.

Quite a significant percentage to swallow?

 

[User6179]

I would like to believe that this would be possible, but that's around £800 discount.

Quite a significant percentage to swallow?

Might buy one myself at that price

 

[yello]

My Bianchi came from a Dutch store (8 year ago now) and I had no problems with the transaction. Decision made entirely due to price. In fact, I ended up with a very good deal (a frame upgrade) due to an error they made but that could hardly have been predicted.

These days, the majority of my bike related purchases come from Germany because even with shipping costs, it works out less expensive than the UK.

 

[bpsmith]

Here is the link to what I am looking at:

http://www.bianchistore.de/Bianchi-Sempre-Pro-2014-Shimano-ULTEGRA-11sp-compact

How does the VAT work as it say already included in the price. I assume that's their VAT and I could be stung for import duty and/or VAT in the UK? Would I have to pay both?

 

[bpsmith]

I have just emailed them to ask how it works and if they sell exclusive of VAT if exporting to us. Worth finding out I reckon!

I will pay on credit card to cover me against any issues, and factor in UK VAT and import duty before deciding.

 

[Brandane]

Here is the link to what I am looking at:

http://www.bianchistore.de/Bianchi-Sempre-Pro-2014-Shimano-ULTEGRA-11sp-compact

How does the VAT work as it say already included in the price. I assume that's their VAT and I could be stung for import duty and/or VAT in the UK? Would I have to pay both?

I thought that if buying from within the EU, there should be no added taxes such as VAT or import duty?

 

[bpsmith]

I really don't know on this one, hence thinking the worst case scenario. What you say makes total sense though.

 

[yello]

No, there's no VAT nor duties. Thank the EU, so best get your order in before the Tories pull the UK out!

Just a thought, being assembled in Germany for mainland Europe, the bike will probably have the front/rear brake levers swapped over, i.e. left is front, right is rear (the UK is vice-versa).

You could swap them back if your really bothered or simply get used to it as I did. Truth is, you'll probably not even notice.

 

[charley bradley]

check to see how much the postage would cost as sending a high value large item might cost quite a bit.

 

[Pale Rider]

No, there's no VAT nor duties. Thank the EU, so best get your order in before the Tories pull the UK out!

Just a thought, being assembled in Germany for mainland Europe, the bike will probably have the front/rear brake levers swapped over, i.e. left is front, right is rear (the UK is vice-versa).

You could swap them back if your really bothered or simply get used to it as I did. Truth is, you'll probably not even notice.

I think there is VAT when buying/importing from an EU country - Rose charge VAT as do a few other EU retailers I've looked at.

There shouldn't be any duty to pay from an EU country, but duty can come into play if buying from outside the EU.

Enforcement of that seems a bit variable.

I know someone who buys bike bits from China.

He tells me packages often get delivered with no duty paid, but sometimes there is a charge.

So his advice is to allow for it, and take it as a bonus if no charge is made.

Most of his transactions are around £100, so it's not a lot of money either way.

 

[bpsmith]

Shipping is 69.90 Euro's and is insured up to 4000 Euro's. This really does appear to be a no brainer!

My understanding would be that I need to pay VAT of some sort, albeit 19% or 20%, but dont want to have to pay it twice. Am awaiting a reply from them, confirming what the costs will be and how it works. Not in a hurry just yet, but watching in case the price drops any lower still when 2015 models appear. lol.

 

[yello]

I think there is VAT when buying/importing from an EU country - Rose charge VAT as do a few other EU retailers I've looked at.

Apologies, my loose terminology has lead to confusion.

There'll be no additional sales tax to pay in the UK as all sales tax will be due & paid at point of sale in Germany.

I don't know what sales tax is called in Germany (in France it's TVA) but I don't think it's VAT. That was my point really, that there's no UK sales tax (i.e. VAT) to pay. I should have been clearer.

 

[yello]

[QUOTE 3182431, member: 259"]But a lot of smaller retailers don't even bother with this and just charge 19%.[/QUOTE]

It's so much that they don't bother, more that they don't have to. It's related to the company's total EU sales value. If it's above a certain value PA then they have to charge the applicable rate for the destination country, if below then they can charge the local rate. These values are reported back to the local tax authorities via their VAT return equivalent.

Wiggle and Chain Reaction, for instance, both charge my purchases at French TVA rates because both companies are above that total sales threshold value.