INTERNATIONAL SHIP/RECEIVE ISSUES

Shopping on-line is a global situation.  The average consumer can plop him/her self down, at the family computer, click on any number of on-line vintage bicycle purchase opportunities (Ebay, Craigslist, BuySell, Kijiji, etc) and voila - a host of vintage bicycles will present themselves.  All will be for sale.  Many will be far away and some of those, far away purchase opportunities, will be in other counties.

When a package, even an old bicycle, crosses an international boundary, a whole new set of rules comes into play.  Many of the rules are common, to almost every country on the planet, but each country can, and often does, impose rules unique to that country.

Every country will have import taxes and/or duties that will be immediately applied to the package entering the country - sometimes.  Sometimes, is a bit of an operative word.  Sometimes customs will get involved, but most of the time a package will sprint across an international boundary, unimpeded.  Sometimes, and this seems to be random, the package will be subjected to a full, open it up, inspection, coupled with a bevy of little, and some not so little, costs.

Duty, tariff, taxes and broker's fees, can all come into play.  How to escape some, if not all, of those, is a situation left to the mercy of chance.  In other words, Customs inspects, on a random basis.  As often as not, there will be no international boundary crossing issues at all, and items purchased, will come directly to your front door, unimpeded by Customs personnel or importation requirements.

Any package, crossing an international boundary, is subject to inspection, but most don't even get a second Customs look.  However, virtually all, can have a duty, and/or sales tax attached, which must be paid,  before the package will be released.  It would be wise for buyers to tutor themselves, on their own country's import rules, in an effort to help avoid unpleasant surprises.

Generally, a lower priced item will be ignored by Customs, sailing through their random inspections, without slowing down one bit.  However, once a certain price is reached, a broker might be hired, by the shipping company, to handle the boarder crossing.  If that happens, be prepared to pay through the nose.  The trick is to avoid getting a broker involved.

Shipments, under $200.00 in value, are rarely passed on, for a broker to handle.  I have no idea why.  Perhaps the fee, for such a minor purchase, does not warrant the broker's time or attention.  With this in mind, be aware of how much you are paying for an item.

Asking the seller to fib, about the value of an item, for Customs purposes, is often times not rewarded.  Sellers, simply, do not want to take a chance of being nailed for fraud, and one cannot blame them.  And, if a seller did indicate a fraudulent price, he or she, just could end up in jail.  However...

Many sellers will have no problem, with fudging a price for a buyer.  Be forewarned, though!  If you value a $1000.00 purchase at less than $200.00, your insurance will only cover the $200.00.  It is a chance every buyer must decide to take for themselves.

So, take the time to check out the importation rules, that govern the importing of a bicycle, used bicycle and or used parts, into your country.  Doing so just might save you both grief and coin.

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