Orient Express - Cheap Chinese Rims / Wheels / Forks / Frames / Cranks / Etc

Threshold for VAT: £18
Threshold for Duty: £120ish.

In the past when I've bought cheap Chinese carbon I've asked the seller to write a low value on the box. Its always worked thus far. But I feel I'll be pissing in the wind with carbon wheels.

Any uneductaed plonker can tell that a glossy pair of carbon wheels are probably going to worth more that £120, unfortunately.

Product Sample?

Yeah, yeah, good idea. Might customs recognise the company name though?

Product Sample?

HMRC ain't that dumb.

And they do use the internet as well.

Even if the value is marked as below threshold, or even just below the actual value, HMRC can attribute whatever value they like, and tax accordingly.

I recently heard of a someone who ordered something which was probably worth c.£50 but was declared at $10. It was opened and the VAT was 20% or c.£40-50.

So points to note; 1) they can open stuff, and 2) they are probably fairly good at guessing values.

What irks me is the "handling fee". £8 in that ^ case, which was about the same as the VAT. But with a sheath I got my dad the handling fee was even more (C.£15 iirc) and made what was meant to be a reasonably priced gift pretty expensive.

HMRC ain't that dumb.

And they do use the internet as well.

Even if the value is marked as below threshold, or even just below the actual value, HMRC can attribute whatever value they like, and tax accordingly.

Can != will

No. But marking an import as sample probably has little impact on whether HMRC will decide to look at the package - i.e. they ignore it altogether if they see it.

Hmmm interesting.

Has anyone actually bought wheels from China and NOT payed VAT, etc? Dammit? Smallfurry??

I've had two wheelsets, and paid no duty or VAT on either.

Wow, nice one. Fingers crossed for me then.

Far Sport?

I've had two wheelsets, and paid no duty or VAT on either.

Yet my mum sends me over some fucking biscuits for my birthday and I have to pay tax on 'em.

Hide them in the Vegemite..

^ rep

Far Sport?
Quite a long way, yes.

Waaaay..

Hide them in the Vegemite..

Get that from Tesco these days. The weight cost would outweigh the import duty savings.

The two frames I've had from XACD in China were marked as $50 value production samples.... no duty or VAT...result!

Carbonspeedcycle on eBay. Are they any good for fully built tubs or will they disintegrate while I use them?

I want some wheels to race on at the track next year and their prices on the bay are good compared to some other sellers.

I want some wheels to race on at the track next year.

PX/On-One Novatec 24h hubs - £35
Kinlin TB25 from HubJub - £60
Some spokes - £20-£100

Wheels good enough to race on until somebody else starts paying for your wheels - priceless

I can't has deep crabon?

You can if you like, but don't come crying to me when you crash and destroy them :-)

I think you are confusing me with Indra. Who are recommended sellers for 50, 60 or 88mm rims, perhaps with the option of prebuilt wheels?

Arronbike any good?