[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

3012.0. "taking bike to Germany" by MUZICK::BEATRIX () Mon Aug 28 1995 18:11

    I srolled through the notes-file, but haven't seen a topic 
    dealing with this:
    
    I'm from Germany - and just bought a bike here in Mass. This was the
    easy part.
    
    Does anybody have an experience on how I would get over the German 
    customs without paying too much duty on it?
    What happens at the border? If I would tell them I bought this bike
    in Germany, brought it to the US and am just on my way taking it 
    back to Germany - what would I need to make them believe? Any entry
    in my passport? Any receits?
    
    I tried to hit every mud-hole so far to make it look used - but it
    still looks too new to me. 
    
    Help appreciated,
    Beatrix
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
3012.1not really an answer but...SMAUG::NICHOLSTue Aug 29 1995 10:245
i have no answers to the questions you asked, but
dont forget to let the air out of the tires before you fly it home

--roger
3012.2BUSY::SLABOUNTYHoly rusted metal, Batman!Tue Aug 29 1995 10:479
    
    	Keep in mind that if you declare it at the US border and give
    	an estimated value for insurance purposes that they might use
    	that at the other end as the taxable value.  If you value it
    	too low and it gets destroyed, you'll screw yourself anyways.
    
    	If you can get them to believe you brought it with you and are
    	now bringing it back, then that's even better.
3012.3.. we'll see ..MUZICK::BEATRIXThu Aug 31 1995 10:3613
    Thanks so far,
    
    just got the input to take some tools (for repair) back home. We might
    have different sizes in Germany. I will try to get trough with 
    "it's a used bike, got a special price, bought it used" this looks
    best to me.
    
    Air out of the tire - thanks, good input.
    
    I'll let you know how it worked out.
    
    bye.
    Beatrix
3012.4Note 2907JGO::GERRITSENMon Sep 04 1995 08:216
    
    Beatrix,
    
    There's something in note 2907, maybe it's helpfull.
    
    Ray
3012.5done.COL01::WIEGELA smile doesn't hurtTue Sep 05 1995 08:0917
    Done.
    
    Being prepared with an invoice for $130 and a good story why the bike
    was so cheap, I arrived in Munich on Sunday morning. I walked trough
    the customs with my baggage car loaded up (4 bags and the box with the
    bike). 
    
    Nobody did even give me a look. Too early? Too many other people to
    watch? 
    
    So - this was easy. Not a guarantee for the next time.
    
    And - by the way - the bike costs double here in Germany. Not a bad
    deal at all! (Lufthansa charged $68)
    
    Thanks for your help
    Beatrix
3012.6?JGO::GERRITSENWed Sep 06 1995 09:454
    
    Which bike have you bought ?
    
    Ray