Shipping costs from california

[Night Rider]

Ive been looking at a f&f from usa on ebay, how much is shipping on average ?

[BMX1973]

Normally a F/F is about $100 but watch for import tax.

[Dannywhac]

I've had a few F&F's, generally costs around the $60-$70 mark USPS Priority International. Anything over about $20 declared value and you run the risk of import duty + a nice £8 Parcelforce 'processing' charge.

[Jaypeg]

I had to pay £80 to customs so be prepared...

[kungfunky]

prices have recently gone up too.

[Glynnyboy]

Was considering something recently so went and checked the 5 f/f's that were up at the time with sellers prepared to ship.

It seems the £60 mark was prety popular.

I just put in a search for old bmx frame on ebay uk and ticked the international box. Then  went through the one's from the US.
It varies but around the above price is still listed the most.

[Night Rider]

Does marked as gift always work?

[Glynnyboy]

No.
The gift option only works for items with a value of £36 and that includes the postage.
You are taxed on the value of the item and cost of the postage combined.
It's always worth a try though because if things are busy it's a possibility that you could get away with it. (never say never)
It does seems to be getting more and more unlikely though now a days.

[Glynnyboy]

I just had some hubs turn up at the door.
They came to around £55 including post from the US and were just marked up merchandise. I was lucky to escape a charge, they must be busy at the moment.

[midschooljon]

Im waiting for a F&F from Canada.... Hope I dont get slapped with duties  Is it just VAT they charge or is there anything else?

[keviboy]

BOBBYSAM who i work with brought back a gt mini in its box from LA when he checked it in he was told that transportation was free and no tax this year for sporting goods for the olympic year, He was told this by Virgin airlines  when he arrived no probs.

[midschooljon]

BOBBYSAM who i work with brought back a gt mini in its box from LA when he checked it in he was told that transportation was free and no tax this year for sporting goods for the olympic year, He was told this by Virgin airlines  when he arrived no probs.

Perhaps Virgin arent charging to carry sporting goods but Im pretty sure HMRC are still charging on imported items.

[kalex]

i'm sure if not marked as gift anything between £15 - £135 is just is just VAT and over £135 is VAT and customs duty plus handling charge. goods sent as gift over £40 can have charges as well.

just a note from my old memory that royal mail charged me 200% more duty than fedex. think it was someting like £60 royal mail against £20 fedex

you have no choice but to pay as they wont deliver your goods.